Published Dec 30, 2006
kcheng
43 Posts
I've been working as a nurse for a year and a half now .. was wondering what you guys thought of making buisness cards to keep them handy because I was at a social networking event last night .. and i didnt have anything to pass out.
and if any nurses here has buisness cards printed. what do you put on them? do you put your home address or the hospital where you work at?
thank you!
GingerSue
1,842 Posts
when I had an office, then I put my business address on the business cards
and indicated my professional memberships, associations, etc.
without a business address, I would put the city where I live and the areas where I would provide service plus the phone number, email
maybe indicate the number of years of your experience
NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN
10 Articles; 18,926 Posts
business cards available at many office supply stores can print using home computer.
good info: cardillo & associates - make the right impression with business cards - articles
Selke
543 Posts
Probably not a good idea to put your employer's information on your cards. If your position required business cards, your hospital would make them up for you. If a supervisor at your job saw personal business cards made up with your name and the hospital's name, they might not like it.
That said, and the reason why this thread caught my eye, is because I do have cards with my name, title (RN, BSN), cell phone, and email address on them. When I had a stable place to live I had my PO Box number on it. I give them out if somebody asks for my phone number or email. People always comment on them. In Victorian times it was customary to have "calling cards" to give out. I got the idea from RNs I used to work with, who had their own lactation consulting or doula or educational personal businesses. Once I become a lactation consultant, and / or CNM, I am certain to have cards made by my employer. But I might still have my personal cards with my upgraded credentials listed ... because they are personal, with my personal, not business, contact info on them. You can give them out if you're making contacts, schmoozing, applying for a job, &c.
I got my cards very inexpensively through http://www.vistaprints.com
Miss Ludie
79 Posts
I am of several thoughts.
Name, rank, and email address.
Name, City, email
or just Name, RN
I really don't want too much stuff out there, cause some froot-cake might just decide he needs a nurse at the wrong time or wrong reason.
blueyesue
566 Posts
Pardon my ignorance, but what would you use a business card for as an RN? My curiosity made me post this. LOL
Antikigirl, ASN, RN
2,595 Posts
I am a floor nurse in hospital...I don't want cards or be a focus for folks when they go home! I am not social service or a home health RN...so best I stay in hospital as me, then give my name out and have a flood of folks calling me outside my facility (and in essence...the time I am required to do my scope!).
I have NEVER given my last name, never given my address, never given my phone number..and never let a single patient know where they can find me other than my work because..well that is where they met me!
My job is my job ....my life outside has enough hardship making it past my nurse job to be functional let alone INVITE someone in for me to nurse...no thanks!
Some folks open them selves up and don't realize the actual real things it can do to your life! If you do that...it is like giving pts keys to your home!
Care for your patients...care hard..but don't let that line between being a Nurse and a HUMAN BEING with a family and life cross EVER!
I am sorry for those that do this..it is just my opinion! I live in a rural area with a bunch of folks that won't see an MD to save their lives if they can call me for advice (yeah right huh?)...I learned the hard way! I give nothing now...same with hubby who did the same thing as a paramedic! WE HAD no life after that...we stopped..took 3 YEARS to get the calls to stop!...just a bit of helpful advise on how that can go SO wrong!
Katnip, RN
2,904 Posts
When I was in school we were told to get business cards. Not to give to patients, but for networking.
Say you go to a conference and meet some really great nurses who are considering doing a research project, or publishing an article and need some help. Or you're the one with and idea. (that's just one example)
Or you want to keep in touch with a nurse you've met and continue to swap info.
There are a lot of good reasons for having cards and it's a lot easier and more professional looking than hunting through your purse for a scrap of paper.
Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN
697 Posts
Had a boss that gave us business cards every nurses week. It didn't have a private # and we were to give them to patients and family. At first I thought it was one of the worst things that could happen. I was wrong. Families just loved them and it seemed to make them much more relaxed. There was a huge difference in write ups and lawsuits. Even I was empressed with the relatioship with families after they got cards. They gave us better kudos all the way around on all the surveys about their stay.
outcomesfirst, BSN, RN
148 Posts
When I was in school we were told to get business cards. Not to give to patients, but for networking.Say you go to a conference and meet some really great nurses who are considering doing a research project, or publishing an article and need some help. Or you're the one with and idea. (that's just one example)Or you want to keep in touch with a nurse you've met and continue to swap info.There are a lot of good reasons for having cards and it's a lot easier and more professional looking than hunting through your purse for a scrap of paper.
I agree.
traumaRUs, MSN, APRN
88 Articles; 21,268 Posts
I am just plain lazy. However, I will say that I probably should get some business cards. I am an advanced practice nurse who is employed by a private practice. However, I go to dialysis units and hospitals to see my patients.
This thread may be the impetus to get me to move on getting some cards.
Lovely RN
52 Posts
Thanks Selke great website.