No longer a nurse?

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Specializes in Rehab, LTC, Peds, Hospice.

I posted a similar topic under Geriatrics/LTC in specialties - but I'd like to hear from more nurses their opinion so am posting just this part here. My facility has decided that all LPNs and RNs' will no longer be known as 'Nurses' but 'Care Coordinators,' in the spirit of culture change. It's thought that this will make our facility more 'homelike.' It makes me want to quit.

Please weigh in. I'd love to hear your thoughts. I'm so disgusted right now.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I would quickly leave a facility that refuses to recognize my education and my license.

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There are so many reports of elders liking the idea of being cared for by NURSES. Your administrator should consider the clientele. People come there because they need skilled nursing care, everybody understands that. Unless this is a preview of hiring unlicensed personnel, and they intend to camouflage that by having every caregiver level called the same thing, this is a lousy idea from a marketing standpoint.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Another ploy to begin the process of cheaper non licensed personnel to take the place of nurses. I'd look for another position

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Unless this is a preview of hiring unlicensed personnel, and they intend to camouflage that by having every caregiver level called the same thing, ...

That is my immediate thought ...

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Sounds like they are going to go with "med techs" rather than licensed nurses. Get out of there!

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

RUN! Run as fast as you can and get away as quickly as you can! You're about to be replaced and downgraded.

I worked much too long and hard for my nursing license and degrees to lose everything like that. I repeat RUN!

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How does one bill for care coordinator hours?

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Specializes in ICU.

Wow. How demeaning. I would find another job STAT.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
How does one bill for care coordinator hours?

"One" doesn't. Nursing care is never charged for - our hours are lumped in with housekeeping, meals, washcloths and the bedside commode. So, for a hospital to eliminate the nurse's title, education and capability in order to tunnel lesser-qualified (or UN-qualified), non-licensed caregivers into a "Care Coordinator" position is nothing but a win-win situation.

It's the start of a slippery slope, if you ask me. And for those who say we need to unionize, strike, etc. in order to further our profession and protest the current trend: show me a group of nurses who can afford these days to be without income while they protest and strive for better conditions and I'll show you the nurses who can afford to hold out for better working conditions and respect for our profession. I, unfortunately, am not one of them.

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This thread makes an interesting companion to the "patients or clients" thread.

Words have power. People underestimate the power of language and of names. Just ask George Orwell. This is kind of like Newspeak for the healthcare profession. "Care coordinator" is just another empty neologism.

I'm curious as to what the unlicensed care givers are called at this facility. If they are also called "care coordinators", then the intent of management is clear....

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"One" doesn't. Nursing care is never charged for - our hours are lumped in with housekeeping, meals, washcloths and the bedside commode. So, for a hospital to eliminate the nurse's title, education and capability in order to tunnel lesser-qualified (or UN-qualified), non-licensed caregivers into a "Care Coordinator" position is nothing but a win-win situation.

It's the start of a slippery slope, if you ask me. And for those who say we need to unionize, strike, etc. in order to further our profession and protest the current trend: show me a group of nurses who can afford these days to be without income while they protest and strive for better conditions and I'll show you the nurses who caen afford to hold out for better working conditions and respect for our profession. I, unfortunately, am not one of them.

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I do agree with you but not all of us work in hospital. Some work where skilled nursing services are billed per episode. So that begs the question: If we're all relegated into the same lump, stripped of our accomplishments and interchangeable at will... Insert X employee here... Then how will services be determined and billed. One poster referred to the state ordering Meds out of patient rooms. What would Medicare do if they found an RN washing floors, passing Meds, preparing lunch and then throwing in the laundry? Did the RN really provide 30 minutes direct skilled service? My wise crack was directed toward the higher ups who are constantly trying to stretch us out of our positions, roles and scope so we are constantly skirting what amounts to fraud.

I'm a nurse. I pick up after myself and my patient. If he is hungry, I will get him a snack or order from the kitchen. If he is cold I will get a clean blanket from the closet. If he pees on the floor I will clean it. If he is bored i will change his tv chanel. But I will not replace housekeeping, laundry, dietary, activities, (sigh) and all other services because my employer is too cheap to pay them.

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