Last name on namebadge

[mightymitern]

Does anyone else think it is a bad idea to have your last name on a badge? I worked at a place where we had an extremely abusive spouse who cornered most of the staff, and could only visit w/ a police escort. We did not have our last names on our badges @ this particular facility, thankful because this person used to say "if I find out where you live"..... Anyway the place I work now uses first and last names, I do not agree w/ this, since many times a pt will say something like "oh you're a ( last name) did you grow up in (town) or (last name) hey baby are you in the phone book? it's scary sometimes that people know my entire name. Any thoughts on this?

[Meraki]

I have always had my last name on my badge - and I work in psych as well, so with many people who are mentally unstable. To me it is about professionalism and being accountable for my practice. The people I care for are trusting me in a vulnerable time and should know who I am. I want to know who my surgeon is, not just a guy named Joe who refuses to give me any more identifying information. I want to know who my nurse is too. I can't think of many professions, even far higher risk ones than nursing, where you can opt out of identifying yourself.

There is risk in life in general, and therefore no matter if you worked as a nurse, a teacher, a baker or candlestick maker you may encounter someone who poses a potential risk to you.

While 'safety' is often thrown out there I think many like to hide behind the anonymity of a first name only. Makes it difficult for patients complain if they don't know who you are. When I meet anyone who in a professional capacity won't identify themselves it makes me immediately think they are trying to hide something and not someone I can trust.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

(On the other hand, I do think it's scary that some state BONs publish licensees' home addresses with the license info on the websites. That seems completely unnecessary to me, and I'm glad I've never been licensed in a state that does that.)

Unfortunately, I am licensed in such a state. So even though (as pointed out) it's kind of pointless for me to hide my last name on my badge, I am partial to doing it anyway. If they ask, I tell them...but IMO, I don't have to readily volunteer that info beforehand.

[drmorton2b]

On my psych hospital name badge it says: First Name then last name initial. So it would look like as an example Bill W.

On my acute care hospital name badge it says my full name.

[misslo]

I feel like it is a violation of OUR privacy. At our facility, we have first and last name as well, but I covered my last name with a sticker. Nobody has said anything yet.

[RNperdiem, RN]

How about doctors?

Would people tolerate doctors refusing to give their last names?

Why should nurses be denied an identity?

[meadow85]

Well I don't see the harm of patients knowing my full name. But I also don't see the harm of having just my first name on my badge either. You should have a choice.

[swise]

I also work in a facility that our name badges have our first name only for those that work in the ER or birthing center but not in the rest of the facility. They stated these were the 2 departments more at risk for issues. In my career we have had 2 in our unit in 32 years so I do not believe personally that it matters.

swise

[labrador4122, RN]

I completely agree. I am always scared one of these crazy patient's will not like me for some weird reason and send my name to the nursing boards for things that are not true. people can do crazy things....

[ok2bme]

My institution prints both our first and last names on our badges, and I prefer it that way. It is a matter of professionalism and accountability, as the two virtually always accompany each other. Nursing is not a blue jumpsuit with a first name patch kinda job, not knocking those careers , it's just not the culture of nursing.

[tiddles]

Wherever I've worked it's been first name and last initial. Although I'm referred to as the nurse who "talks funny" (accent, not speech impediment) so everyone knows who they mean.:)

[SlightlyMental_RN]

I actually think that it would be easier to handle having my last name on my badge, if I lived in a larger urban area. However, I'm in a small town, and if my dual diagnosis-mental health/chemical detox patients knew my last name, it wouldn't be good--way too easy to track someone down in a town of 10,000. We've had patients stalk nurses at our facility, make threats against staff, etc. (we're talking people with a serious criminal history of murder, assault, rape), and I do not want to endanger my children or myself any more than I have to.

[mightymitern]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I did not realize there had been numerous discussions about this subject. I was just curious as to tohers opinions on this subject. Thank you to you all.