Legally Protect the word "Nurse?"

[applesxoranges]

Should the word "nurse" be a legally protected title? I am mixed on it. Personally, the word nurse is vague and could mean many different things. It could mean an LPN and it could mean an RN. It does not signify a credential. However, a lot of people assume nurse = RN.

It is kind of like a "doctor" in my opinion. A doctor could be a doctor of anything whereas it is illegal to say you are an MD or DO without being an MD or a DO.

My state does not currently regulate the use of the word nurse. Hence why we have graduate nurse interns or nurse techs (which are PCTs/CNAs).

So what are your thoughts on the issue?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

HA HA, It's true, though! We also had someone look a doc dead in the eye in the elevator, dressed in his white coat and all, and say "So, do you work in the Medical field"?

Priceless. You know what he REALLY wanted to say in response was "Surprisingly, no....I'm an actor on break from a movie set, and just HAD to have hospital cafeteria food, so...I came here".

Does anyone here remember the old television ads (were they featuring the fellow from Marcus Welby, MD? I think so.....),anyway, it featured an actor who said "I'm not really a doctor, but I play one on TV, and so..." ROFL....that was enough to give him some medical power for the older generation :)

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

What do I think about title nurse protection?

I think the title NURSE should be protected for RN's and LPN's

"Nurse" by itself should be a protected title. However some common-sense should also be present at all times so that people aren't wrongfully prosecuted. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for going after someone that uses the term "nurse" and strongly implies that they're truly an RN or LVN/LPN when they're not.