Looking for Transgendered nurses in the state

Jolie, BSN · Jan 6, 2005

My Name is Michelle Im a transgendered nurse in Pa Im the first openly Trans nurse in the Lancaster Area. Are there any others in the state currently working If so Id like to hear from you Ive been working almost a year as a CNA and Im getting ready to start my LPN school.

Michelle,

Please do not misunderstand my reply. I am not posting to be critical of your lifestyle choices. But you are not a nurse, and should not be referring to yourself as one. Once you are licensed as an LPN or RN, you may correctly refer to yourself as a nurse. Until then, please identify yourself as a CNA.

JVanRN · Jan 6, 2005

Welcome to all nurses.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 6, 2005

Welcome to AllNurses.

allnurses Guide · Jan 6, 2005

Hello and welcome.

steph

Michelleroth1 · Jan 7, 2005

Michelle,
Please do not misunderstand my reply. I am not posting to be critical of your lifestyle choices. But you are not a nurse, and should not be referring to yourself as one. Once you are licensed as an LPN or RN, you may correctly refer to yourself as a nurse. Until then, please identify yourself as a CNA.

I don not take it badly but being a nurse comes from the heart and your compassion toward healing others. Licensure merely tells a person what level of care you may perform It doesnt make a person a nurse. There are LPN and RN's out in the real world who not nurses just holders of a license. Me personally all who care for the ill and terminally ill will be nurses to me but again this is merely perception from a cna. I dont mean to down grade your status as a licensed nurse or up grade my status as an unlicensed nurse it just the way we all look at the field. My RNs and LPNs treat me as an equal and use my military medical background as much as possible. But I have to remind them sometimes Im not licensed Dont worry about how I address my writing I do write from the heart but as always CNA falls behind my name not Nurse nor do people address me as Nurse I am merely called Michelle If you are not to angery at this a question I will ask. The CNA 2 course is longer and more involved upon completion a CNA performs level of formerly reserved for LPN's and even RN's only. Will they be Nurses or Assistants? I would like to know due to starting LPN school

Jolie, BSN · Jan 7, 2005

I don not take it badly but being a nurse comes from the heart and your compassion toward healing others. Licensure merely tells a person what level of care you may perform It doesnt make a person a nurse. There are LPN and RN's out in the real world who not nurses just holders of a license. Me personally all who care for the ill and terminally ill will be nurses to me but again this is merely perception from a cna. I dont mean to down grade your status as a licensed nurse or up grade my status as an unlicensed nurse it just the way we all look at the field. My RNs and LPNs treat me as an equal and use my military medical background as much as possible. But I have to remind them sometimes Im not licensed Dont worry about how I address my writing I do write from the heart but as always CNA falls behind my name not Nurse nor do people address me as Nurse I am merely called Michelle If you are not to angery at this a question I will ask. The CNA 2 course is longer and more involved upon completion a CNA performs level of formerly reserved for LPN's and even RN's only. Will they be Nurses or Assistants? I would like to know due to starting LPN school

Thanks for accepting my response with an open mind.

Legally, most states protect the title of "nurse", and allow it to be used only by licensed LPNs and RNs. This is for the protection of the public. When people seek the advice and care of a nurse, they expect a certain level of education, experience and proficiency. The process of licensure assures the public that those bearing the title of LPN or RN have shown adequate education and experience to practice nursing competently.

Where this gets sticky is when people working in various health care settings represent themselves as "nurses" when they are not. This can happen almost anywhere: doctors' offices, clinics, schools, health departments, LTC facilities, home health agencies. Receptionists, unit secretaries, nursing assistants, orderlies, medical assistants, etc. sometimes interact with patients and are mistaken for nurses, or deliberately represent themselves as such. The patients or family members to whom they speak think they are getting advice and care from a nurse when they are not, and the information given may not be accurate, due to the difference in education and experience between the nurse and the other care providers. That can lead to problems with care and liability issues.

One example I personally know of involved a pregnant patient who was experiencing mild pre-term contractions. She called her OB office and asked to speak to the nurse. The receptionist took the call and deliberately misled the patient into thinking that she was the nurse. She spoke to the patient, reassured her that her contractions were probably due to a UTI, then CALLED IN A PRESCRIPTION TO THE PHARMACY. The patient was not seen or evaluated by the doctor or nurse. She delivered a severely premature baby a few days later, and the whole story came out. The receptionist was fired, and the parents sued the OB. Even though he did nothing wrong, and never even knew the patient was having contractions, he was liable for the actions of his employee, and settled with the family.

You clearly are not deliberately misleading your patients. And I do agree with you that having a license does not make one a "good nurse". I have worked with many nursing assistants whom I would trust far more than some of my licensed colleagues. But to avoid potential legal issues, it is best to make certain that the patients, family and public with whom you interact know your title and duties.

As far as the CNA II course, while it is more involved than the basic course, it is still a nursing assistant preparation, and that will still be your title. When you begin nursing school, you can refer to yourself as a nursing student.

I wish you well. You sound very dedicated to your work!

Michelleroth1 · Jan 7, 2005

Thanks for accepting my response with an open mind.
Legally, most states protect the title of "nurse", and allow it to be used only by licensed LPNs and RNs. This is for the protection of the public. When people seek the advice and care of a nurse, they expect a certain level of education, experience and proficiency. The process of licensure assures the public that those bearing the title of LPN or RN have shown adequate education and experience to practice nursing competently.
Where this gets sticky is when people working in various health care settings represent themselves as "nurses" when they are not. This can happen almost anywhere: doctors' offices, clinics, schools, health departments, LTC facilities, home health agencies. Receptionists, unit secretaries, nursing assistants, orderlies, medical assistants, etc. sometimes interact with patients and are mistaken for nurses, or deliberately represent themselves as such. The patients or family members to whom they speak think they are getting advice and care from a nurse when they are not, and the information given may not be accurate, due to the difference in education and experience between the nurse and the other care providers. That can lead to problems with care and liability issues.
One example I personally know of involved a pregnant patient who was experiencing mild pre-term contractions. She called her OB office and asked to speak to the nurse. The receptionist took the call and deliberately misled the patient into thinking that she was the nurse. She spoke to the patient, reassured her that her contractions were probably due to a UTI, then CALLED IN A PRESCRIPTION TO THE PHARMACY. The patient was not seen or evaluated by the doctor or nurse. She delivered a severely premature baby a few days later, and the whole story came out. The receptionist was fired, and the parents sued the OB. Even though he did nothing wrong, and never even knew the patient was having contractions, he was liable for the actions of his employee, and settled with the family.
You clearly are not deliberately misleading your patients. And I do agree with you that having a license does not make one a "good nurse". I have worked with many nursing assistants whom I would trust far more than some of my licensed colleagues. But to avoid potential legal issues, it is best to make certain that the patients, family and public with whom you interact know your title and duties.
As far as the CNA II course, while it is more involved than the basic course, it is still a nursing assistant preparation, and that will still be your title. When you begin nursing school, you can refer to yourself as a nursing student.
I wish you well. You sound very dedicated to your work!

Dear Jolie

Thank you for for your very open mindedness I dont ever misrepresent myself to my patients or peers I lovingly and jokingly refer to myself "as but a lowley CNA" You to sound very dedicated to your profession and Im sure your are an outstanding nurse I try to bring comfort to all I work with Its my high in life When school begins this spring I will still be as a nursing assistant

I will save the honor of promoting myself to Nursing student for after graduation before my state boards LOL thank you again for your kind words.

Be well and never stop caring

Michelle

dreamersamantha · Feb 7, 2006

Dear Jolie
Thank you for for your very open mindedness I dont ever misrepresent myself to my patients or peers I lovingly and jokingly refer to myself "as but a lowley CNA" You to sound very dedicated to your profession and Im sure your are an outstanding nurse I try to bring comfort to all I work with Its my high in life When school begins this spring I will still be as a nursing assistant
I will save the honor of promoting myself to Nursing student for after graduation before my state boards LOL thank you again for your kind words.
Be well and never stop caring
Michelle

hi michelle,

i am in new york city currently studying for my state boards in rn.i am applying to be a live in care nurse.i so want to work as a female.i presented as a female with a girly top and white skirt. for the interview

they have never dealt with a transgendered girl before but are willing to train me.i really want to work with females as i identify with them anyway you go girl i wish you the very very best,

yours sincerly samantha transgirl