New Grads that wear RN on badge before licensure

suzanne4, RN · 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.

They are still functioning under the Graduate Nurse title, and are still technncally working under a licensed RN. They do not have license yet to legally function under.

loriannlpn · Feb 6, 2006

Thank you,

I was simply saying that even though the employer says it is ok to put RN, after name on badge, before test is taken. That is simply the employee's responsibility to check the laws in their own state. I would want to be certain of the laws govern my practice, verses taking my employers advise saying it is ok, dont worry about it. To find out I broke the law and my pending licensure is now on the line.

:specs:

Thanks,

Lori

wooh, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2006

Of course the hospital would LOVE to have you put RN after your name, it looks wonderful to patients and visitors to see so many "RN"s floating around the halls!

Pitbullgirl · Feb 6, 2006

I graduated in December with my BSN and until I found out on Saturday that I passed my boards, I never referred to myself as an RN, always corrected friends/family etc. who called me RN, and my badge still states "NCT" until I begin the hospital orientation as an RN Intern in the OR. As Suzanne4 stated, the term "intern" does not mean "RN-to-be". It simply means, at my hospital, that I am hired into an area (OR in my case) that has a special orientation program. We have internships in the OR and ED -- and these are RNs WHO HAVE PASSED NCLEX.

I hear a lot of my former classmates referring to themselves as RN, and while you may have graduated from a nursing program, you have yet to pass and receive a license as a REGISTERED NURSE!! Just my 2cents...

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 6, 2006

Ours say "RN-A or "LPN-A" (A stands for applicant). To have just RN implies that they are already licensed. I had to present my license before i could even get the A taken off. I'm surprised this person wasn't done the same.

allnurses Guide · Feb 6, 2006

We did the IP thing too . . .Interim Permit.

And I didn't go to school before the dinosaurs. :clown:

steph

Jolie, BSN · Feb 6, 2006

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.

Suzanne, the appropriate title for an unlicensed graduate nurse varies from state to state. I took boards in IL, where there is no such title as "Graduate Nurse." In IL, the proper term is RN, lp, which stands for RN license pending.

Mississippi_RN · Feb 6, 2006

When I started after graduating from school, we had PCA II on our badges (stood for Patient Care Assistant II...fancy word for Certified Nurse Assistant) and that is exactly how we functioned. We could do nothing more than a CNA except Accucheck blood sugars. And that was the only thing we could document on the chart and we had to sign "our name, PCA II" after it. Otherwise, we could not document on the chart, pass out meds or do treatments...since we were no longer on our school's malpractice insurance we couldn't do anything even if the other nurse signed after us.

I also did the same thing when people referred to me as a "RN"...I would correct them and tell them I had not gotten my license yet. For one, I am kinda of superstitious and did not want to jinx myself Also...I had worked SO hard to get out of school, I wanted it to really mean something when I called myself "RN". Therefore, I don't think very much of someone referring to themselves as RN if they are not, even if it WAS legal. I wouldn't tell someone I was a lawyer or an astronaut...because that is disrepecting the people who actually worked hard for those titles.

JMO.. :nurse:

cajunrn05 · Feb 7, 2006

In Louisiana we are identified as RNA's (RN Applicant) until you pass state boards.

Cajunrn

suzanne4, RN · Feb 7, 2006

Suzanne, the appropriate title for an unlicensed graduate nurse varies from state to state. I took boards in IL, where there is no such title as "Graduate Nurse." In IL, the proper term is RN, lp, which stands for RN license pending.

You can't be registerd if your license is pending taking the examination. You do not have a license. It is that simple.

How do you introduce yourself to your patient? What phrase do you use exactly?

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2006

When I started my new job back in Sept, I noticed that in orientation there were many new grads. All had RN on their name tag........... I too asked about boards........... they all said "i dont take them unitl......."

I was shocked. I had always thought you couldnt put RN on a name tag unless you actually had a license. When I grad prior to taking boards, my name tag read GNRNP.... which meant graduate nurse RN program. Once I took boards, I had to take my license to HR and show it to have a new badge made.

We actually have 2 new grads in my unit now. Graduated in Dec, 1 takes boards this week, the other in 2 wks. Started about 3 wks ago........ both of their name tags have RN on them. Both working with a preceptor in an RN role.

Strange..... just plain strange

suzanne4, RN · Feb 7, 2006

suzanne, the appropriate title for an unlicensed graduate nurse varies from state to state. i took boards in il, where there is no such title as "graduate nurse." in il, the proper term is rn, lp, which stands for rn license pending.

just did a quick review of the statutes of illinois and in no place is that listed under the current regulations. that may be what some hopsitals are using, but it is not listed on the website of the bon.

(k) "registered nurse" or "registered professional nurse" means a person who is licensed as a professional nurse under this act and practices nursing as defined in paragraph (l) of this section. only a registered nurse licensed under this act is entitled to use the titles "registered nurse" and "registered professional nurse" and the abbreviation, "r.n.".