So I just got off the phone with my best friend, who is a RN in another state. She said that a CNA on the floor tells the patients she's a nurse. My friend said today was the last straw when she overheard the patient who sounded upset ask to speak to a nurse and the CNA said, "I am a nurse." I dont know the full details because I wasnt there, and Im trying to get her to join allnurses.com (maybe one day). Apparently, when she approached the CNA about this, she got defensive and my best friend was just trying to tell her that it would be more appropriate to tell the patients she is an aid and not a nurse, which offended the CNA because she said that she is a nurse (or they all are nurses - something like that). Anyhow, I just wanted to know you guys perspective on this, I know a couple CNAs who call themselves nurses (I mean I have a cousin who has nurse as her job on fb and she is a CNA), but this is different because its occurring in the field, not just in random conversation or on social sites. Is this a big deal? I personally think my best friend handled it the best she could (even though she said the CNA didnt seem to change her mind on the issue). I dont know if there is anymore she can do, should she just let this one ride?
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I guess you are defining the word "nurse" more as an action? Like anyone who nurses something is a nurse? ie "he nursed me back to health so therefore he is a nurse"? I guess we could go round and round with this all night, but I am nursing my drink right now and it needs me. bada-boom
O.K. by the overwhelming evidence, the title is so important that at all costs we must protect that title. My practice does not require that title, I care for my patients, do my best for them. If they think I'm a vet. assistant, well cool, at least they are healthy. Of course, if they knew I was a professional nurse, they could get a clue about professional nursing. Still, O.K., let us ban the word "nurse," only those who have jumped through sufficient hoops may call themselves "nurse."
You are wrong in your assumption (and you know what they say about assuming....) that the term "nurse" is not legally protected, and that only "professional nurse," "Registered Nurse," or "Licensed Practical Nurse" are. I have looked up the laws in my state (this issue has been raised on this site before), and found out that indeed, "nurse" is legally protected, and in fact, it is limited to RN's only (was surprised by this, as it did not include even LPN's). But to the point, only an RN may call themselves a nurse legally in my state.
O.K. by the overwhelming evidence, the title is so important that at all costs we must protect that title. My practice does not require that title, I care for my patients, do my best for them. If they think I'm a vet. assistant, well cool, at least they are healthy. Of course, if they knew I was a professional nurse, they could get a clue about professional nursing. Still, O.K., let us ban the word "nurse," only those who have jumped through sufficient hoops may call themselves "nurse."
You are wrong in your assumption (and you know what they say about assuming....) that the term "nurse" is not legally protected, and that only "professional nurse," "Registered Nurse," or "Licensed Practical Nurse" are. I have looked up the laws in my state (this issue has been raised on this site before), and found out that indeed, "nurse" is legally protected, and in fact, it is limited to RN's only (was surprised by this, as it did not include even LPN's). But to the point, only an RN may call themselves a nurse legally in my state.
Yes, it IS important.
So an LPN is not legally allowed to call themselves a nurse even tho the have to take the NCLEX and are Liscened Practical Nurse ?? What state is that ?? And how can that be ?? An LPN is a nurse. A CNA is an assistant..I get that they cant call themselves nurses just like an APN cant call thierselves Dr's.
But to go to school to be an LPN and then be told that you are not a nurse is an insult to the title.
A CNA can never call themselves a nurse. As a RN I call myself a nurse. I was a LPN and I called myself a nurse. I do not think CNA should be calling themselves a nurse. I worked hard to get to where I am at. It is a priviledge to call myself a nurse.
So an LPN is not legally allowed to call themselves a nurse even tho the have to take the NCLEX and are Liscened Practical Nurse ?? What state is that ?? And how can that be ?? An LPN is a nurse. A CNA is an assistant..I get that they cant call themselves nurses just like an APN cant call thierselves Dr's.
But to go to school to be an LPN and then be told that you are not a nurse is an insult to the title.
My suspicion is that the LPN would have to refer to her/himself as that rather than just "nurse".
The jist of the situation is this. NOBODY can call themselves a nurse unless they are licensed to do so. It is illegal to represent oneself as a nurse if one does not hold the license. PERIOD. It is unprofessional and deceiving if a person allows a pt. or family members of a pt. to believe they are a nurse when they do not hold the license. It can also be dangerous.
Not only illegal, but foolish. Her hospital could be in hot water if she gave some sort of treatment or advice as a"nurse" and a patient relied upon her as one. Very hot water indeed. We also see this in physician offices where the medical assistant or other unlicensed person is called "nurse" by the receptionist, or the physician (who should know better) for example- "The nurse will take your blood pressure," etc. The state nurse practice act (which you can get online easily) is very clear and explicit about who is and who is not allowed to be identified as a "nurse."
The charge nurse of the unit where this occurs needs to address this instantly.
I pretty much guess most on this site are not in practice or practice as students. That's o.k.
The title is not so important. The profession does deserve more respect, but when someone who is not a professional nurse calls themselves a nurse....What is the problem? If they pretended to be a professional nurse, that is another matter. Those who have a problem with cna's or even dental assistants calling themselves "nurse" probably have no other claim to the profession than the title. Those persons are most harmful.
Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.
Not only illegal, but foolish. Her hospital could be in hot water if she gave some sort of treatment or advice as a"nurse" and a patient relied upon her as one. Very hot water indeed. We also see this in physician offices where the medical assistant or other unlicensed person is called "nurse" by the receptionist, or the physician (who should know better) for example- "The nurse will take your blood pressure," etc. The state nurse practice act (which you can get online easily) is very clear and explicit about who is and who is not allowed to be identified as a "nurse."
The charge nurse of the unit where this occurs needs to address this instantly.
The charge nurse did address it. The CNA got defensive. Its in the original post and post #7.
nursel56
7,122 Posts
I guess you are defining the word "nurse" more as an action? Like anyone who nurses something is a nurse? ie "he nursed me back to health so therefore he is a nurse"? I guess we could go round and round with this all night, but I am nursing my drink right now and it needs me. bada-boom