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Discussion

Not licensed yet

Need advice. I am a recent grad NP and I work as a RNFA, but can I refer to myself as a NP now (even though I am not functioning as a NP)? Thanks!

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    • Experts

    Are you licensed or not? What are you credentialed as? If you are not licensed as an NP then you are not supposed to be referred to as an NP. NP is a protected title in many states.

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    • Author

    Thanks for your reply. I am not licensed yet. Many of the people I work with refer or think of me as a NP since they know I am finished with my program. The issue has come up recently and I am trying to figure out how to best handle it. I wasn't aware of it being a protected title, even though I am not functioning as one in the O.R. It is embarrassing, but I have to claim ignorance. I have never heard of it being a protected title. My reasoning is that I am a NP by degree, not practicing as one yet. I realize now that it is easily assumed that if you say you are a NP, people think you are practicing as one, but in surgery, there is no scope of practice for NPs. I am currently only functioning as a RNFA, so I havent overstepped by scope. I am confused.

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    • Admin

    I have to agree with traumaRUs, unless you are licensed, you cannot refer to yourself as NP nor can you use the NP title.

    As for using NP because you finished the program, this just means you completed the program and can now be licensed and certified as an NP. It would be the same for someone who graduates from a nursing program and until they sit for NCLEX and receive their license, they cannot use the title, "nurse", "LPN", or "RN".

    You will have to be actually licensed in order to use NP.

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    • Author

    Ok, here is my thinking. I say I am a NP because that is what my degree says I am. I am not practicing, nor trying to practice as one. If someone says "oh, you are a NP, can you do rounds for me" (hypothetical) then I would say "sorry, I am not licensed yet". That hasn't happened, that is how I would handle it. I only work as a RNFA and that is what I am credentialed as. But now, the facility I am working at is concerned that I am misrepresenting myself. That has never been my intention and I don't know how to proceed with this. Thanks for your advice. Of course, the state board person works part time, will be back next week!

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    • Admin

    No, your degree says you have an MSN. That isn't the same thing. You received a Masters Degree in Nursing and completed an APN program. Now, you have to receive a license to practice (and, call yourself) an NP.

    I would personally proceed to call myself an RN and use the creds, RNFA. Then, once you receive your license to practice as an NP, use NP. In your state, do you have to be certified first before you receive a license to practice as an NP?

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    • Author

    Yes, you have to be licensed in order to practice. Now, I fear that I have made a mistake.

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    • Author

    Yes, I need certification first before license.

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    • Admin

    Don't worry about it. Just clear it up with your employer and stop using the NP title. :)

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    I agree with SirI. Your degree says you are RN, MSN.

    I will say that I considered myself an NP after I received my letter from AANP saying I passed the certification exam, and was now allowed to use the NP-C initials after my name. I had already applied to the state for my license so would specify that my license was pending when this came up.

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    • Admin

    Totally agree with rninwch.

    I would want to clear this up with my employer; admit the mistake and do so before they consider turning this into the BON. It's easier to acquiesce than remain unmoving especially since they have approached you about this.

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    • Author

    Thanks for all of your input. Any advice on how to approach the facility? I plan to talk with the DON.

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    Y can't the op use APN- G. The G standing for graduate?

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