OK, I'll admit it, this is a personal thing I have. I worked real hard to get where I am. In fact, the nurse anesthesia program was the most challenging, demanding thing I've ever done. Even after I had graduated, I was not able to use the title CRNA. I still had to pass boards. I was pretty proud of myself when I could use that title. I think most CRNA's feel the same way. So it bugs the snot out of me when someone who hasn't earned the title uses it here or elsewhere.
I've seen a couple of excuses, the most common is "Well, it's what I want to do." I think that's great. Our profession is suffering a severe shortage, so we welcome you to the profession with open arms. But the fact that this is what you want to do in no way gives you the right to assume the title, even as a screen name. I worked very hard to earn that title, and it makes me pretty angry when someone who has not yet earned it uses it. Every time I come across it, I report it to the moderators. There is one school I am currently considering contacting about a student who is using the title while still in their program. Perhaps his program director can get him to see the error of his ways.
There are practical considerations as well. As CRNA's, we are currently involved in a number of political battles around the country. When you call yourself "CRNA," you give the impression that's what you are, and people take your statements to be based on education and experience you don't yet have. It is all too conceivable to imagine a possibility where a "wannabe" with the best intentions could harm our profession.
If for no other reason, you might consider not using the title out of simple respect. CRNA is a title we have earned, and you have not. It is insulting to many of us when someone who isn't a CRNA claims that title. If that doesn't bother you, then consider the damage you may be doing to yourself. If you do get into a program, and your clinical instructors find out you are using that title before earning it, your road may suddenly get much rougher.
In short, CRNA is a title we have earned, and we like to keep to those who have earned it. The day you pass boards, you can use it too. Until then, don't do it. It's disrespectful.
To those who have posted (and this thread is about more than just one person) who want me to "chill," I understand your points. However, I disagree with them, strongly. It is not a small matter to claim ANY unearned title. That is particularly true on a board primarily for professionals. As another poster pointed out, many of you would feel the same way if a new nursing student used "RN" in his/her screen name. It misrepresents who they are.
I have no objection to someone using a screen name that implies what they want to do. For example, using a name like "Anesthsomeday" (poor example, but I don't want to use any active screen names) is fine. However, when the title "CRNA" or "RN" is tacked onto a screen name, it is claiming a professional credential, granted by the board of nursing. When this is done by a hopeful or student, then it is claiming a title that has not been earned. When I was a student, an anesthesia group where we were at gave all of us hats with "CRNA" on the front. None of us ever wore them until after we had earned that credential, for the same reasons. It can be misleading.
On a board such as this, we have guests and new members read the posts every day. If a student or hopeful using a screen name that implies credentialing posts, the new members are not going to go back to find out whether or not the credential has actually been earned. They will simply assume that the poster is what they are claiming to be. And as I pointed out in my initial post, even a well meaning student can harm the profession in that manner.
As I have stated several times, I was not trying to claim an unearned title and I am tired of you making this claim. You have close to 2000 posts that are nearly all political in nature. Perhaps you should seek a different board or forum. Lets get back to anesthesia related topics and drop the fixation on screen names and political perspectives along with your thoughts of the war in Iraq if they don't relate to our practice. Now, I have made a good faith effort in addressing the concerns of you and other posters, so lets move on! I didn't have to, but I changed my screen name within 12 hours of getting an email from you.
Ramon
Thank you.
To those who have posted (and this thread is about more than just one person) who want me to "chill," I understand your points. However, I disagree with them, strongly. It is not a small matter to claim ANY unearned title. That is particularly true on a board primarily for professionals. As another poster pointed out, many of you would feel the same way if a new nursing student used "RN" in his/her screen name. It misrepresents who they are.
I have no objection to someone using a screen name that implies what they want to do. For example, using a name like "Anesthsomeday" (poor example, but I don't want to use any active screen names) is fine. However, when the title "CRNA" or "RN" is tacked onto a screen name, it is claiming a professional credential, granted by the board of nursing. When this is done by a hopeful or student, then it is claiming a title that has not been earned. When I was a student, an anesthesia group where we were at gave all of us hats with "CRNA" on the front. None of us ever wore them until after we had earned that credential, for the same reasons. It can be misleading.
On a board such as this, we have guests and new members read the posts every day. If a student or hopeful using a screen name that implies credentialing posts, the new members are not going to go back to find out whether or not the credential has actually been earned. They will simply assume that the poster is what they are claiming to be. And as I pointed out in my initial post, even a well meaning student can harm the profession in that manner.
kmchugh
801 Posts
Thank you.
To those who have posted (and this thread is about more than just one person) who want me to "chill," I understand your points. However, I disagree with them, strongly. It is not a small matter to claim ANY unearned title. That is particularly true on a board primarily for professionals. As another poster pointed out, many of you would feel the same way if a new nursing student used "RN" in his/her screen name. It misrepresents who they are.
I have no objection to someone using a screen name that implies what they want to do. For example, using a name like "Anesthsomeday" (poor example, but I don't want to use any active screen names) is fine. However, when the title "CRNA" or "RN" is tacked onto a screen name, it is claiming a professional credential, granted by the board of nursing. When this is done by a hopeful or student, then it is claiming a title that has not been earned. When I was a student, an anesthesia group where we were at gave all of us hats with "CRNA" on the front. None of us ever wore them until after we had earned that credential, for the same reasons. It can be misleading.
On a board such as this, we have guests and new members read the posts every day. If a student or hopeful using a screen name that implies credentialing posts, the new members are not going to go back to find out whether or not the credential has actually been earned. They will simply assume that the poster is what they are claiming to be. And as I pointed out in my initial post, even a well meaning student can harm the profession in that manner.
Kevin McHugh