Last name on badges?

[BroncoSmoLVN]

I have worked in several different facilities and have several different experiences with last names on name badges. In a recent post regarding color coding scrubs r/t hospital role a reply was posted which made reference about a stalker. At the ER I worked the LVN's rotate working the front desk and check patients in. This means interaction with EVERY ambulatory patient (angry about wait times etc...). Several times I had angry individuals (not angry at me but the situation which brought them to the ER) reach across the desk to get a "better" look at my name. My entire name is on the badge. I even had one lady call me at home. I had to change my phone number and am no longer listed (thanks crazy stalker lady).

This could have been avoided if my last name were not on the badge:twocents:. What are your feelings about this?

[moonshadeau, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP, CNS]

Honestly it was more scary for me to think that in the last unit I worked in was an isolated, unlocked critical care unit where emotional families, drugs and alcohol were a frequent mix. Someone could easily walk in and pull a gun or knife and help would be very far away.

[Acosmo27]

I completely agree.. I work as aide on a postpartum floor and we also circulate working as clerk.. A husband came up to me irate, cussing me out because we couldnt microwave his wifes food (policy).. I politely told him he could go to the 2nd floor to microwave it himself however we were not alowed to do so.. This man would not let it go.. he came back about 6 different times to yell at me.. I honestly was afraid he was going to look at my name and find me outside the hospital.. when he finally left I looked down at my name badge and let out a huge sigh of relief when I saw it was turned around backward.... scary!!

Many people that I work with have white tape over their last name so that it cannot be read.. I may do that too

[BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I have my first name and last initial on my badge,..but I realize that when I sign my name in the chart I sign my first initial, last name and RN (JDoeRN). If anyone wants to know who I am they just need a copy of their medical records! I've never had an issue with this,..although I must admit that I am not comfortable if someone asks me what my last name is.

[NurseWannabe1129]

I never really thought of this but now that I've seen this post I will definitely do more to protect myself. Tape, here I come!

[BanoraWhite]

If someone were to ask my last name I'd ask why. If they wanted it to make a complaint or something I'd just tell them to put my first name, what day and time and area I worked. If there was two of us working in the same area with the same name I'd give them my surname first initial (IE Banora W.)

I've never faced this before, but that's what I would do.

[jRN2be]

First of all, last names should not be put on name badges. The patient has no medical reason to need to know your last name. Your boss and Admin are the only people to know- The co-workers that I have worked with for a year now dont even know my last name!

[pers]

I covered mine with tape but when I went to get a replacement badge HR noticed I'd covered it up and offered to leave the last name off my new badge! Several coworkers replaced theirs and requested it be without the full name as well.

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

The psych place I work does not put last names on badges. The med/surg hospital I work DOES. I have no problem with that. It is a small community hospital, and everyone already knows who I am and where I live anyway. There really is no hiding your name there, since most of the patients are my neighbors and/or people from the church I attend. If it were a city hospital, I would cover it with tape.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

My first and last name are on the badge. I've not had any problems. That said, my phone number is listed under my maiden name and I live a fair distance away from work.

People who work in the ED and psych have their first name, along with their titles, on the badges. (Elvish, RN)

[rnlately]

The psych place I work does not put last names on badges. The med/surg hospital I work DOES. I have no problem with that. It is a small community hospital, and everyone already knows who I am and where I live anyway. There really is no hiding your name there, since most of the patients are my neighbors and/or people from the church I attend. If it were a city hospital, I would cover it with tape.

:lol2::lol2:You must live in Mayberry with me...............lol.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I'm not worried. My name is so generic and commonplace, that someone would need to do some research to find exactly which person I am in any directory.

Doctors appear in the papers with full names and pictures; I wonder if they have problems with harassment?

[MedSurgeMess]

2 of my coworkers and myself have had men show up at our front doors wanting to "thank" us for our great care. All 3 had found us in the phone book and by asking about where we lived (from coworkers). None of the 3 of us were home alone at the time, thank goodness, and our husbands let the men know that we are already taken. After reporting this to HR, last names went off of badges, and training added so that information was not given out. Luckily, my facility feels that privacy works both ways, not just in favor of the patient!