Am I the only one that is bothered by this? I see so many healthcare professionals, nurses, aides, etc. who, either intentionally or unintentionally, wear their name badges backwards. It bothers me both as a co-worker and when I am the patient. I know that some people do it because they don't want people knowing their names, but honestly, how are you supposed to work with someone or be cared for by someone who you don't even know by name? I don't think that last names should be displayed on a name badge, especially in this crazy world that we live in today, but I think that to display your first name, job title, and photo ID should be required. In most facilities, this technically is a requirement, yet still, half the employees will have their name badge on backwards. Call me paranoid, but if someone comes into my room when I'm the patient and wants to do a procedure on me, I want to be able to tell right away who they are and what their job title is. Ditto when a co-worker shows up to take one of my patients somewhere or to assist me with the patient's care.
Sometimes I wear my badge upside down, just for the fun of it. Just kidding.
Dude, seriously. I don't want the stuff hanging the heck off of me. I don't even like the stethoscope around my neck, and I use that sucker a lot. Pockets are good.
Embroidered is cool though. I think I'd prefer that. Badges and tags hanging off you; what an annoyance. Plus, if you clip to a pocket it can disconnect and get lost. Lanyards can break--and once again, you have the annoyance, even somewhat discomfort, of having something around your neck. Some of us are more sensitive to these kinds of things than others. Besides not wearing rings during work, b/c it's impractical and can carry germs, even after scrubbing, when I'm not working, I still take my rings off at night. Can't stand things rubbing against me. Same thing with earrings--even if they are posts.
First things I take off at home are shoes and bra. I'm just really skin sensitive. I'm one of those people that have to NOT have my covers tucked in--whereas my spouse prefers having it tucked it. I absolutely HATE the rubbing against my feet.
Wonder how much it would cost to get the embroidery on all your tops and jackets?
I am constantly fliping my badge over to face forward. I need it on a tether also since it's a door key as well (which is why I couldn't put two back to back which seems like a great idea, not that the company would go for it with the cost).
What I don't get most of all is the folks at the clinic/hospital that not only cover their last name but cut out faces from stickers and place it over their own photos. I don't even know how they get away with it??? One lady said her pic was so old she wouldn't be recognized from it anyway, but still. And yes, at my work you get one picture, good or bad, for the life of your badge (the expense to replace is just so high???). I have had my same badge picture for 8 years (only because 8 years ago I happened to be at the main corporate office when they got a new fancy camera and they wanted to try it out on whoever was there). I have changed my name since then but they just use the pic on file and make/deliver you a new badge. So odd.
What about tops that have see through liners (like pockets), so that you badge can be placed, yet closed in there. It won't hang off of you or rub you, b/c it is in the see-through pocket. Everyone else see your picture and name, etc, and it won't get flipped around.
OK, just a bit if a rant here, ...guess I've had my fill of disrespect for the role and importance of the nurse lately. I feel wearing our full names and credentials are part of being a professional. I totally understand the exceptions in some mental health and a few other speciality units. but otherwise, it's, "I'm Jane Smith, the RN who will be with you this shift.". Yes, I often interact with patients by my first name if they wish. In school, our instructors often referred to us as "nurse Smith", to emphasize the professional title. Yes it's a bit clumsy, doesn't have the same flow as "doctor", but it did distinguish us from the rest of the crowd in scrubs. It has been a long road for nurses to get respect as a profession, and professional names are part of it. We don't call the physicians by their first names, "hey Bob, have you see these labs...."And don't get me started on folks who wear name tags backwards but never clarify their role, leaving ( or leading) the patient to believe they were the nurse when they really were a Medical Assistant or tech. If your badge flips, Fix IT, Pin It!!! Ok, rant over, but profession standing tall!
When badges are mandated to be worn above the waist AND a female co-worker has, ummm, large assets, the badge tends to bounce and flip. Answer.....only hire us guys!
One side I am ThatGuy, RN on the other I am Optimus Prime, RN. It worked out really well with the kids. I always introduced myself when I went in the room anyways have my name on the board in eye sight. Heck if anything the optimus prime triggerd more "so do you go by optimus prime at home to" or "what do they call you on your days off" conversations.
But recently we are now required to wear nametags with our real names back to back.
When badges are mandated to be worn above the waist AND a female co-worker has ummm, large assets, the badge tends to bounce and flip. Answer.....only hire us guys![/quote']
We have this same rule and I have this same issue. I also do not care for patients male or female, having to stare directly at my chest while reading my badge. The name is written so tiny on it I have had multiple people grab at it (and my chest area) to get a clear view. The print needs to be MUCH LARGER so the elderly patients can see the name and title. I ALWAYS introduce myself at the start of the shift and write my name on the white board, but there are so many people coming and going in and out of the rooms it is hard for people to remember. I get that. There has to be a better way, seriously. I hate my badge.
I must also say, they make us attach so many things to our badge that our badge holders often snap. It is an absurd amount of reminder card thingies and they do audit us to make sure we have all of them on. Anyone else have this issue?
The place I worked last had double sided which was great. I struggle to keep mine in the right direction. I agree it's an issue especially since the letters "RN" are so small on my badge my patients cannot read it. I like the badge buddies accompanied by two badges with a photo and name.
My student ID always flips so that my name and picture are facing inward. I always turn it back around but it seems I'm no sooner done doing that and its backwards again. I've even tried changing the way its clipped on figuring that if it flips backwards the way it was, it should flip forward the other way...nope...it stays facing inward. Drives me crazy. Drives my clinical instructor even more batty. She was always flipping mine around as she rolled her eyes and said "PIXIE you HAVE to have it facing in the right direction! As if I do it on purpose, several times I've walked by her, stopped and flipped her back so it faces the correct way...after me doing that to her several times she finally understood that its not intentional..it happens. She hasn't bothered with mine since :)
I'd love if our ID badges were double sided. I WANT people to know who I am and who they are dealing with, just as much as I want to know who the other staff is and who is who (RN, tech, housekeeping, lab etc).
I think getting irritated over a simple issue like this is a bit over rated. The intention is to keep them forward facing. We can't sit with our hands on our badges. They will flip sometimes. If a patient asks who I am, I simply flip it (if its backwards, though i try to keep it forward when i notice it) and stretch the extender and hand it to them so they can read it without staring at my boobs.
There are exceptions to everything. When I worked at the jail, I covered my last name with a little bit of masking tape. There is no inherent "right" for a pt to know a nurse's last name.
What about tops that have see through liners (like pockets), so that you badge can be placed, yet closed in there. It won't hang off of you or rub you, b/c it is in the see-through pocket. Everyone else see your picture and name, etc, and it won't get flipped around.
Problem solved.
Could I make money off of this idea?
I bet you could!
That is a neat idea and you can also claim it keeps the badge from getting dirty and being a risk (I know that may be stretching it a bit, but it works from a marketing standpoint).
I like it.
You better get busy on it because you just gave away a darn good idea that could be stolen!
Guest343211
880 Posts
Sometimes I wear my badge upside down, just for the fun of it. Just kidding.
Dude, seriously. I don't want the stuff hanging the heck off of me. I don't even like the stethoscope around my neck, and I use that sucker a lot. Pockets are good.
Embroidered is cool though. I think I'd prefer that. Badges and tags hanging off you; what an annoyance. Plus, if you clip to a pocket it can disconnect and get lost. Lanyards can break--and once again, you have the annoyance, even somewhat discomfort, of having something around your neck. Some of us are more sensitive to these kinds of things than others. Besides not wearing rings during work, b/c it's impractical and can carry germs, even after scrubbing, when I'm not working, I still take my rings off at night. Can't stand things rubbing against me. Same thing with earrings--even if they are posts.
First things I take off at home are shoes and bra. I'm just really skin sensitive. I'm one of those people that have to NOT have my covers tucked in--whereas my spouse prefers having it tucked it. I absolutely HATE the rubbing against my feet.
Wonder how much it would cost to get the embroidery on all your tops and jackets?