New Grads that wear RN on badge before licensure

suzanne4, RN · Feb 7, 2006

Under the same area, it speaks of "nurse externships" that are granted until the nurse has taken and passed the NCLEX exam, but in no place at all is the RN used with any other letters after it.

"License pending" is no where in the regs.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Feb 7, 2006

My place gave all new nursing employees bright yellow name badges. It not only had GN or GPN on it but it couldn't be confused with an RN by simply covering the letters with tape. When the boards were passed then you got the white badge with the blue lettering for nursing RN or LPN.

To the OP your risk manager needs to hear about this.

Once again RN is a protected title. The same goes for LPN. No combination of those letters is legal until the test is passed. Your hospital knows better.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Feb 7, 2006

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

Actually in LA you must have the full title spelled out on your badge

the terminology R.N. applicant identifies those individuals who have been issued a
temporary working permit. R.N. applicant may be abbreviated as R.N. App. after signatures on records. The full
spelling is required on identification pins;
3. the temporary work permit is limited as follows:
a. the R.N. applicant shall practice only in nursing situations where direct R.N.

http://www.lsbn.state.la.us/documents/rules/fullrules.pdf

Section 3329

NYNewGrad · Feb 7, 2006

Before I took the boards, my hospital gave the title RN-P (on permit). I did almost all RN responsibilities under the (direct/ often not so direct) supervision of an RN preceptor. In NY this permit lasts up to one year, or 10 days after you're notified of NCLEX failure.

Also "New graduates of New York State nursing education programs registered by the New York State Education Department may be employed for 90 days immediately following graduation without holding a limited permit... While practicing during these 90 days, you must be supervised by a registered professional nurse who is licensed and currently registered to practice in New York State."

This is what I found on the NY Education Department website "The correct title for a graduate of an LPN program who is not yet licensed is Graduate Practical Nurse (GPN). The correct title for a graduate of an RN program who is not yet licensed is Graduate Nurse (GN). This title must be displayed on the identification badge and used in signing official patient-care documents."

And this is also from their website "GPNs and GNs must practice under the supervision of a registered professional nurse (RN) while they are holders of a Limited Permit. This means that the supervising RN must be on the patient care ward/unit (whichever is smaller) at all times when professional services are being rendered by the limited permitee. The supervising RN must provide an appropriate degree of supervision which is determined by the specific circumstances of the patient care being provided."

Gompers, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2006

I'm sorry, I still don't understand why hospitals continue to hire students before they have taken their boards. Whatever happened to needing your license before you can get a job as a nurse? This license-pending, graduate, intern, etc. stuff just doesn't seem right to me. What if you don't pass boards? It really screws things up. I understand that there is a shortage, but I really think that people should have to wait to start orientation until AFTER they have passed boards.

I'm in Illinois, and I have seen people sign their names RNLP on charts. Human resources doesn't print that on the badges though. They'll just print the employee's name and department, and if they have a degree, they'll add ADN or BSN as the title. After the license is obtained, they reprint a new badge with RN on it as well. It sounds to me like these hospitals are trying to cut time and money by only having to print the ID badges once!

Jolie, BSN · Feb 7, 2006

Under the same area, it speaks of "nurse externships" that are granted until the nurse has taken and passed the NCLEX exam, but in no place at all is the RN used with any other letters after it.
"License pending" is no where in the regs.

Perhaps the designation has changed since I took and passed boards in the late 1980's. At that time, when we received confirmation from the Department of Professional Regulation that our paperwork was in place and we were eligible to sit for boards, we were instructed to sign all documentation as RN, lp. That was back in the "olden days" when it was common to work for a period of time in a nursing (not aide) position BEFORE sitting for boards, and when board scores took up to 2 months to be sent out. The explanation given at that time by IDPR for use of the title RN, lp was that it was presumed that candidates would pass boards and become RNs. One was allowed to use that title until their passing or failing of boards was confirmed. If a candidate failed boards, they were no longer allowed to use the title of RN, lp. If a candidate passed, they dropped the lp from their title.

Please note that it was on the instruction of IDPR that we used the title of RN, lp. That was not concocted by our employers or schools. It was the official designation of the State of IL, which did not recognize the term "Graduate Nurse".

Jolie, BSN · Feb 7, 2006

I'm sorry, I still don't understand why hospitals continue to hire students before they have taken their boards. Whatever happened to needing your license before you can get a job as a nurse? This license-pending, graduate, intern, etc. stuff just doesn't seem right to me. What if you don't pass boards? It really screws things up. I understand that there is a shortage, but I really think that people should have to wait to start orientation until AFTER they have passed boards.
I'm in Illinois, and I have seen people sign their names RNLP on charts. Human resources doesn't print that on the badges though. They'll just print the employee's name and department, and if they have a degree, they'll add ADN or BSN as the title. After the license is obtained, they reprint a new badge with RN on it as well. It sounds to me like these hospitals are trying to cut time and money by only having to print the ID badges once!

This is a throwback to the old era when boards were only offered twice a year, and candidates waited months to receive their scores. Back then, it was commonplace to hire new grads into nursing (not aide) positions and orient them prior to knowing whether or not they would pass boards. I COMPLETED a 3 month orientation to the NICU before knowing whether I passed boards.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Feb 7, 2006

Here, it is "new nurse hire" until you get your authorization to test letter (and you have 30 days from hire to get that letter) then "RN Applicant" until passing. And it says each on your badge.

What gets my goad is when a RN Applicant failed his/her boards. They are then made to work as a NA until passing. (and NA paid). NO more RN skills. Well, said person still wore the RN Applicant name badge while working as NA.

I think thats wrong only b/c they are not working in teh RN capacity.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 7, 2006

I'm sorry, I still don't understand why hospitals continue to hire students before they have taken their boards.

My dept. hired me because they were confident enough that i could do the job when i passed boards.

What if you don't pass boards? It really screws things up.

How is that really screwing things up??

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 7, 2006

I think thats wrong only b/c they are not working in teh RN capacity.

Well, not really, because most state laws have a limit on the time you can be an applicant.

mstigerlily · Feb 7, 2006

In California, we aren't allowed to use RN at all, the nurse badge and all ID (computer logins, etc) are required to say "IP Nurse" or "Interim Permit Nurse"

Of course it doesn't really matter to the patients they don't know what that means. They are confused anyway with the LPN, RN, RN (BSN), Nurse Extern, Student Nurse, IP Nurse. As long as it says "Nurse" on the badge (or even if it doesn't actually) and you are wearing scrubs they assume you are a nurse.

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. ?????

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Feb 7, 2006

If I saw 'RN/LP' on a badge, I would think that the person was both a registered nurse and a licensed paramedic. That's what it stands for here in Texas. I agree with Suzanne4 that any time RN is in the title, it could be cause for confusion. I'm surprised that some states actually endorse it.