Last name on ID badge?

[ravenpuff, BSN, RN]

I just got my ID badge for my new job at a hospital and it says my first&last name because that's what I initially opted to do. But now I'm thinking I should've just gone with my first name...

Thoughts on full vs first name on ID badges?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

It's all about your level of accountability. . .

Not having a last name on one's work badge/name tag is associated with workers who have menial jobs in fast food, retail, hospitality and tourism. Once you step up your level of accountability (read: taking care of patients), you should have nothing to hide regarding your name.

By the way, stalker situations are not as common as we're led to believe.

[Mewsin]

In our health region everyone has their first and last names on their badge.

[sjalv]

I'm an RN student and my badge for our clinical site (a hospital) has my first and last names on it.

[GundeRN]

I would not want my Pts knowing my last name.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Some states and some facilities require both names.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I would not want my Pts knowing my last name.

What are you attempting to hide? We know or patients' full names and can easily glean sensitive info such as their home addresses, workplaces, phone numbers and personal health histories. A doctor who tried to hide his/her last name would be laughed at, but the rest of us seem to want to hide our surnames (and be viewed as accountable professionals at the same time).

[sandyfeet]

In my first year and a half of nursing, I've only had one incident that made me feel worried that a patient knew my last name. He was angry and was saying "I'm going to kill you. I know you get off work at 7. I'm going to wait in the parking lot for you". Security, my charge nurse and several other staff witnessed these comments, and I quoted him in my charting. My real name is pretty common and I Google myself to see what comes up to make sure I am inconspicuous...but after that incident I put a little sticker over my last name.

[Krzysztof]

Our system requires first & last name for all clinical staff except ED and psych.

[elkpark]

In my first year and a half of nursing, I've only had one incident that made me feel worried that a patient knew my last name. He was angry and was saying "I'm going to kill you. I know you get off work at 7. I'm going to wait in the parking lot for you". Security, my charge nurse and several other staff witnessed these comments, and I quoted him in my charting. My real name is pretty common and I Google myself to see what comes up to make sure I am inconspicuous...but after that incident I put a little sticker over my last name.

I agree that's a scary situation, but the reality is that, in that situation, it doesn't really make any difference whether your last name is on your badge or not.

I'm with Commuter on this; I've worked in psych nearly 30 years, and have always used my first and last name on my badge, except for one employer that refused to put last names on badges and, in that case, I just reminded clients verbally of my last name twice as often :) to make up for not having it on my badge. It's a matter of professional responsibility and respect.

Also, FWIW, a few years ago, when this subject came up another time (as it does every year or so), I actually did a lit search to see what hard numbers were out there. Turns out, in psych, nurses get stalked much less often than psychiatrists (MDs) do, and the reported rate of psych nurse stalkings is roughly the same as the rate of reported stalkings of the general public.

I've never been able to understand why so many nurses have such strong faith in the protective powers of that piece of tape over the last names on badges. If someone really wants to find you harm you, s/he will find a way, with or without your last name visible on a badge. Lots of professionals with much riskier jobs than nurses never even consider being coy about their last names. To me, it just makes us look silly.

[GundeRN]

What are you attempting to hide? We know or patients' full names and can easily glean sensitive info such as their home addresses, workplaces, phone numbers and personal health histories. A doctor who tried to hide his/her last name would be laughed at, but the rest of us seem to want to hide our surnames (and be viewed as accountable professionals at the same time).

Excuse me, all hail the nurses who share their last names for they are far better nurses, and people in general really.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Excuse me, all hail the nurses who share their last names for they are far better nurses, and people in general really.

No individual is better or worse than any other person in existence. As humans, we all have the same intrinsic value and inherent worth.

I'm cognizant that you were probably attempting to be sarcastic or funny.