Non-Nurses calling themselves a Nurse

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 25, 2007

Apparently in other states, they aren't... and in Florida, they don't even have to be a nurse.

That's scary.

PANurseRN1 · Mar 25, 2007

I won't bash, but anyone who refers to himself/herself as a nurse without actually being one (as in RN/LPN)...I am going to call that person on it. If you aren't an RN or an LPN you are not a nurse; it's really that simple. If you want the title, then go to school, then take and pass NCLEX.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Mar 26, 2007

Well I'm not Leslie but that is my siggy/quote and I did post that about wanting to hear from someone who is calling themselves a nurse.
Maybe you are referring to the person who posted after me and quoted my post?

Sorry, somehow I thought you were Leslie. I did know it was your siggy/quote. We cross threads alot, especially in HH thread.

Actually at first I was really angry at that poster who quoted your thread and then when I thought about it I realized he/she was actually agreeing with you. Look at her previous points and you'll see what I'm saying.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Mar 26, 2007

I have seen nurses do the dumbest things, and I am a nurse. I have seen medical assistants do dumb things as well.

Doing dumb things is not exclusive to the medical profession, sad to say it is one of the few professionals where dumb can equal tragedy. I think we can all agree there are people who do dumb things in all walks of life. Take the Wal-Mart cashier who tried to scan the bar that you put between your stuff and the next person's stuff. Oh, please...she had to have graduated from high school!

we may not be 'nurse enough'. I really think that first, we need to admit how we function in the health care setting (meaning...I am an LPN), appreciate the talents that our co-worker is trained to do, then, for those who wish to move up the ladder to become an LPN, RN, or whatever, reach out our hands and share how to get there.

I agree, I used to be an LPN, I heard it all the time. My parents always referred to me as an LPN now they refer to me as a real nurse. Gee, thanks Mom & Dad. That's another issue that will never change.

Agnus · Mar 26, 2007

I know! I can't find one post that denigrates the education or the position of CMA's. Not one. This thread started because someone had a CNA (not a CMA) posing as a nurse in her school district. The point is that anyone who is not a nurse is legally prohibited to referring to him/herself as a nurse. That's it. If you're not, you're not, and you cannot say you are.

I am willing to bet that CNA did not know better and the the school board the School superintendent the Principal did not know better.

Those outside the profession unfortuately seldom understand the protected status of the title. Even doctors need to be educated on this.

Unfortunately simply explaining this to them is seldom effecitve. That is why I suggested reporting to the BON. Because they WILL educate all concerned and they will monitor to see that the law is enforced. The reason this is important is because the lay person dose not know the difference when you say you are a nurse they believe you. The expect you know what you are talkling about when you sat your child had wingworm and needs to take an anitfungal. Or when you say the child needs anything medical or health related. If the nurse tells them it is wingworm then wingworm it is. They got it from the expert.

She could just as easily misdiagnosed or mis perscribed something for another child that could cause serious harm or even death.

Some states do not require a nurse in a school at all other places require an RN by law. Some require only an LPN/LVN because they do not understand that an LPN can not work without direct RN supervision.

It is up to us to educate the school boards about this.

Some have LPN/LVNs on staff which are supervised by an RN. However, because of the complexity of needs of kids inschool today (due to mainstreaming all children wit special needs ) an RN is generally needed at every school.

Schools try not to employee RNs to save money. Yet interestingly it seem when the do use RNs (even if they are using mostly LVNs ) they want her to have or be working on an advanced degree. So have a MS or a BS and be working on an MS.

Those places where RNs are employed the RN is there because RNs educated the boards, as to the necessity of RNs in schools.

The schools carry a huge liability by not using RNs exclusively and can you just imagine the liability this CNA posses for the School. And guess what the frirst time someone wisely files a suit the CNA will have cost the taxpayers more than if they had hired an RN in the first place.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Mar 26, 2007

My county school system uses RN's. I feel lucky. My kids are out of school now but I feel safer about the grandchildren.

smk1, LPN · Mar 26, 2007

Then they are considered an RMA. Our program is an associates degree.

The fact of the matter is an associates degree is not required to attain the certification of CMA. It is great that you are rounding out your education, but the educational pathway for CMA is not required to be AA/AS. You particular school may only offer the certification as part of an AA program but that is not the norm or the requirement. This is a field that needs a lot more regulation. This doesn't mean that a CMA can't be a respected member of the team, but the difference in the level of knowledge taught to a nurse vs a CMA is vast. There should be no mistaking the twowhich is what this thread is about.

sarajasmine · Mar 26, 2007

The school district my child goes to has a CNA in the school clinic, who refers to herself as "The school Nurse". I thought she was either an LVN or RN until last week when she had me come pick up my child from school. She had a little nausea but, she said she needed to stay out for two days due to a small rash on her face that she diagnosed as "Wingworm"! She told me to get an over-the-counter anti-fungal and treat for two days when she would be allowed to return to school! (I think that is practicing medicine w/o a license?!) I asked did she mean ringworm-she said no, wingworm...so, I had her write that down on the standard form they use when children are sent hm. Maybe the school board is exempt from following the law?!
Well, I took her to our family Doctor who said, she doesn't have ringworm-it's impetigo and prescribed bactriban.
My beef is that the teachers even refer to her as the school nurse-I wonder if
they even know the difference between an LVN or RN and a CNA? I sent a letter to the Assistant Superintendant for the district but, have not heard a reply. I think I am no different than most of you who have worked hard for your RN or LVN license and earn the respect of being called a "Nurse". I was a CNA before I was an LPN and have now been an RN over 20 yrs. As a CNA, I knew my place and my limits of practice. Any other parent or Nurse concerned about this?

I did contact the BON-who said they can not prosecute unless this CNA actually signs her name as "RN" or "LVN". Another way would be if more than just myself, heard her refer to herself as a "Nurse" then, this would have to be submitted in a legal document form and then, submitted to the BON in TX.

I did however, send a complaint my email to the TX Dept of Health asking them to please investigate as they govern CNA's in this state-not our BON. Haven't heard anything though. I haven't talked to the Principal-I think that is most likely a waste of my time and could cause a problem for my child who is attending school there. The school board won't even discuss this with me unless I talk to the Principal-But, she is not the medical person qualified to supervise this CNA! Kind of frustrating!

crysobrn · Mar 26, 2007

Our schools don't even have a nurse...

At our pediatricians office there are two MA's that refer to themselves as nurses. One has given me terrible advice and I've asked to talk to the ped myself. Several weeks later at work the dr asked me what was going on that day so I told her and she was NOT happy that her employee not only states she's "the nurse" but that she gave the false info that she did.

And "wingworm" that is classic

nurseinlimbo · Mar 26, 2007

This is an issue that hadn't really come up for me, as in Canada there is no such thing, but with integration of children with various disabilities and illnesses it really is necessary.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Mar 26, 2007

I did contact the BON-who said they can not prosecute unless this CNA actually signs her name as "RN" or "LVN". Another way would be if more than just myself, heard her refer to herself as a "Nurse" then, this would have to be submitted in a legal document form and then, submitted to the BON in TX.

They could at least send her a "Cease and Desist" letter. Our BON does it all the time, and goes so far as to post the person's name in the quarterly newsletter.

crissrn27, RN · Mar 26, 2007

NC doesn't require a RN onsite. The RN covers a certain area, like 10-15 schools. My son has migraines and I recieved a care plan to approve and sign at the beginning of the year (that I changed completly and then signed.......lol) and it is still not followed. I also have a friend in the same school system whos dd has to be cathed 2-3 times a day at school. My sister, who has cared for this child since her birth, was not allowed to cath her at school, and as this mother works a HH LPN has to come do it every day. Totally screwy, looks like there should be some federal regs put into effect for all states........like, an RN must be at every school during the day.