New Grads that wear RN on badge before licensure

whiskeygirl, LPN · Feb 6, 2006

That doesnt sound right at all! The hospital is ok with this?? I think if the Nurse tech were to screw up it could put the hospital in hot water.

You are right to feel uneasy about this. I would too.

I didn't even work as a GN until I took my NCLEX-RN. But that was mainly because I was a LPN.

And, I am fairly sure that the hospital I work at wouldn't hire GN's.

loriannlpn · Feb 6, 2006

Not allowed... Hope they dont have a state survey anytime soon. Look on your local board of nursing discipline list's, They could be in trouble before they got started. That would be a shame to have the board to reject an application before they have a chance to take the boards.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 6, 2006

It is actually in violation of all state Boards of Nursing to call yourself an "RN" before you take the boards. And shame on the hospital for doing this. And for the facility to give them a badge that states such is in violation of code. It needs to say "GN" until they pass their boards, sorry if the faciltiy has to pay more for the extra badges, but .....................

This needs to be called to the attention of risk management in your facility ASAP. They may not even be aware of it, yet your facility is set up for any type of lawsuit.

KikiRN06 · Feb 6, 2006

I graduated in December and take my boards on the 16th of this month and our hospital puts RN/LP on our badges, LP stands for license pending.

pedinurse05 · Feb 6, 2006

Okay, this is driving me mad! The new graduate RN's are working as nurse techs in my hospital until they pass thier boards...but they are allowed to walk around with "RN" posted on thier name badge. Excuse me? I was made to cover my "RN" with tape until I was official. Any other hospitals allowing this insanity? These grads even introduce themselves as RN's. I'll say congrats and ask how the NCLEX was. They reply: Oh, that's not for another month. ?????

The hospital I worked at hired me as a graduate nurse. My name badge read GN until I had taken and passed the exam. I was allowed to do meds/assessments under the supervision of my preceptor. The preceptor must co-sign everything. No, unless you have taken and passed NCLEX, you should not be identified as RN.

Jo Dirt · Feb 6, 2006

Their nametags read "So-and-so, RN intern" at the local hospitals here.

TazziRN, RN · Feb 6, 2006

Allowing non-licensed grads to call themselves RNs is illegal. When I graduated back in the age of the dinosaurs (before computer testing!) I had "IP" after my name for 12 weeks (Interim Permitee). Once I got my results and my license it changed to RN. Even RN/LP is fine, as long as it distinguishes licensed RN's from those with pending licensure.

Addendum: my hospital owns a clinic that employs PA's. I often get pts in the ER who tell me their MD is "Dr. Mike" or "Dr. Laura".....the PA's. When I tell the pt he/she is not a doctor, the answer is often "Well that's what they said their name is." This is just as illegal.

VeryPlainJane · Feb 6, 2006

Here you can work as an RN you just can't sign your name with an RN...I have seen people working with their student name tags. That's what I have seen...what the law is might be different.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 6, 2006

I graduated in December and take my boards on the 16th of this month and our hospital puts RN/LP on our badges, LP stands for license pending.

Actually not legal. It cannot use RN on the badge until you actually take and pass the NCLEX exam. It also becomes confusing for many.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 6, 2006

Their nametags read "So-and-so, RN intern" at the local hospitals here.

Still doesn't mean that it is legal. If doing an internship, it means that you already hold the title of that area, and are just starting out.

Remember that even as students, your badges never say Student RN, they always say "Student Nurse."

Until that exam is passed, the badge should not have the letters RN after your name.

loriannlpn · Feb 6, 2006

I dont think the laws are different as far as naming yourself something you are not. Why not put MD, after your name. The reason for NA, LPN, RN, BSN after name is it identifies the credentials of the employee. To save my career or my pending licensure, I would let risk management know if my id badge read anything else then my credentials. Just a word of advise....

I also think that you should not take on the responsibility of a RN, unless or until you have passed the boards and have a Licensure number to back that up... another word of advise.... If you are still uncertain, check your states board of nursing website or at least call them. Check the laws in your state. As a nurse you are responsible for the laws that govern your practice, not your employer.

That is my two cents, good luck