License info being sold

[#wontgiveup]

I've been noticing a lot of websites like this one popping up. Where are they getting all this from, sometimes even your phone number is on there. I'm not sure where websites like this are getting there info from.

Health Care Professionals by City

[#wontgiveup]

I know in my state you can opt out of it. It's insane that they even allow it.

What state are you in?

[Vishwamitr]

You are assuming that all nurses are females.

[#wontgiveup]

How am I assuming all nurses are females.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

You are assuming that all nurses are females.

Nah... male nurses' home addresses need to be public either.

[#wontgiveup]

Are you saying that only female nurses information is on the site?

[#wontgiveup]

Do you guys think this information is could be sold by the employer?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

One of my employers said that their company buys the list of nurses from the Boards after I asked how they knew to send me one of their solicitations. I found out that the information is given to the public when I inquired regarding another situation. I was told that an individual nurse could make her information non-public by going through a request process when she is a victim of stalking, domestic violence, etc. I looked at the process and thought one would probably be dead before they could get any benefit from that policy.

Sadly, that is probably true.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I had the same issue. I wanted it removed so my crazy ex couldn't find me. It would have taken an act of God. I did mess with the person I talked to. I asked for her full name and address (if she has mine I should be able to have hers) and told her that I was keeping a record of it so if my ex hurt or killed me my family knew who to name in a lawsuit. I know, it was mean but I just don't agree that the public has the right to my personal information like my address.

What a smart idea! Did she actually GIVE you her address?

I don't think it was mean at all. What you did was put a real person behind that name and address and gave that employee something to think about. She probably has no power to change the policy, but she does have the power to influence her boss. If enough people do that, perhaps the people who DO have the power to change the policy would start thinking "Hey, this might not be a good idea."

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

This is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine and though it's is public record, I suspect that profits from the BONs' selling of this info doesn't truly go to defraying license costs for nurses, but instead padding the wallet of a select group of administrators.

I think you've got that right!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

You are assuming that all nurses are females.

Could you please use the quote function so we know which post you are addressing?

[jdub6]

my state bon website only lists my name and license number and the town I live in. No address of phone number, if they did that I think I'd flip out. and I don't think having that info would keep your fees down it just makes John Q.Public happier and that's the name of the game isn't it.

Sure that one site only lists your name, license # and town. However, with your name and town one could typically find your address, phone # etc, which is typically public info. And with that one could obtain your property tax records-also public info. And court records. And so on. Actually most of what many of us consider private can be obtained by anyone with the right forms and some patience. Consider how the media obtains info via Freedom of Information Acts...anyone can obtain the same info if they choose to go through the process.

Having a database could keep license fees down if John Q Public is interested enough to pay for the convenience of the database and if the profits are used to subsidize licensing fees. Somehow i bet that's not really the case though.

[Asystole RN]

I think you've got that right!

Those fat cat administrators!

You guys are ridiculous sometimes. You are aware that in most (all?) states the salaries of those who serve on the board and in any public office is open to the public right?

Did you know that you can contact the BON and ask them where the money from those sales is allocated to right? That is if they do no just openly publish it.

I would bet most of the money is simply allocated to a general slush fund for the BON that goes to pay for all kinds of different things.

Since my company works with federal contracts we have to regularly ask entities like the BON where money is allocated to for federal reporting laws. It is not a secret.