Personal Address Disclosed to the public? what does this mean?

[Kate.Med/Surg RN]

I hold an RN license in several states as my husbands job keeps us forever moving, I see that it says our address is disclosed to the public? when I look up my licensure from outside my account it does not show my personal address? so what exactly does this mean? The area I work in currently is Psych and we do not even have our full names on our badges- is it possible these patients can find out my home address through the board of nursing? this would be unsettling. Can someone explain to me what this means? thanks (:

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

BONs are state-specific. You'll have to contact that BON to see what's going on.

[Flatline, BSN, RN]

Some states publish your information, some provide it by request, and most will sell it to companies.

Generally, if you hold a public license to practice the public has a method to find your address. Some professions like law enforcement do actually have protected personal information.

[brownbook]

I am more unsettled that a nurse who is working in Psych and is afraid the patients are somehow a danger to her!

Patients with serious psychiatric illness are not a danger to the public, including any care givers they come into contact with during their hopspitlization.

[Sour Lemon]

I am more unsettled that a nurse who is working in Psych and is afraid the patients are somehow a danger to her!

Patients with serious psychiatric illness are not a danger to the public, including any care givers they come into contact with during their hopspitlization.

Some certainly can be, although I agree that most are not ...and not just psychiatric patients, but maybe that's the OP's current field and current concern.

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

I am more unsettled that a nurse who is working in Psych and is afraid the patients are somehow a danger to her!

Patients with serious psychiatric illness are not a danger to the public, including any care givers they come into contact with during their hopspitlization.

Could you please sight your source for this statistic?

[brownbook]

Wile E Coyote Could you please sight your source for this statistic?

The above is a quote, I can never use the quote function correctly!

Sorry, no I can't. I am pretty certain that most violence is committed by someone the victim knows personally as in a close personal acquaintance or relative.

I am sure you can find cases of psychiatric patients stalking, even killing, their care provider after they have been discharged.

I am sure you can find cases of medically ill (no psychiatric diagnosis) patients stalking even killing their care provider after they have been discharged.

I have no statistics but I believe these cases are extremely rare.

Fearing mentally ill patients is perpetuating a stigma that professional medical health care workers should be striving to end.

It is exactly the same as fearing all Muslims or any "group" you want to label as dangerous.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Wile E Coyote Could you please sight your source for this statistic?

The above is a quote, I can never use the quote function correctly!

Sorry, no I can't. I am pretty certain that most violence is committed by someone the victim knows personally as in a close personal acquaintance or relative.

I am sure you can find cases of psychiatric patients stalking, even killing, their care provider after they have been discharged.

I am sure you can find cases of medically ill (no psychiatric diagnosis) patients stalking even killing their care provider after they have been discharged.

I have no statistics but I believe these cases are extremely rare.

Fearing mentally ill patients is perpetuating a stigma that professional medical health care workers should be striving to end.

It is exactly the same as fearing all Muslims or any "group" you want to label as dangerous.

A simple Google search can be enlightening.

Violence toward mental health staff has been receiving national attention in the face of diminishing resources to treat what appears to be an increasingly violent patient population. Assaults by psychiatric patients against mental health care providers are both a reality and a concern, as the effects of violence can be devastating to the victim. Some staff rationalize that violence is an occupational hazard and believe that they are equipped to cope with it. Despite these beliefs, these victims suffer from many of the same physical and psychological sequelae as victims of a natural disaster or street crime

Violence Against Mental Health Professionals: When the Treater Becomes the Victim

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Another google search

In society today, mental illness and violence are often seen as inextricably linked, creating a harsh stigma for patients and, at times, an uncomfortable environment for psychiatrists. The perception carries serious consequences for psychiatric patients in the form of further discrimination and a sense of isolation from society. Violence has become of increasing concern in the practice of psychiatry. A large number of aggressive patients present to emergency departments,1 and psychiatrists are often called on to assess and treat violent patients. Thousands of assaults occur in American hospitals each year, including psychiatric units and emergency rooms, resulting in the labeling of such workplaces by some as occupationally hazardous

Violence and Mental Illness

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

OP...as someone who serves the general public your nursing license is public domain. Call the BON to the state you are questioning but yes...some states to give out personal information if requested.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Also: Sources are 'cited' not 'sighted'. You're welcome.

[amoLucia]

I am pretty certain that most violence is committed by someone the victim knows personally as in a close personal acquaintance or relative.

I am sure you can find cases of psychiatric patients stalking, even killing, their care provider after they have been discharged.

I am sure you can find cases of medically ill (no psychiatric diagnosis) patients stalking even killing their care provider after they have been discharged.

Honestly, I remember a real, publicized case quite some time ago where SEVERELY troubled ex-husband tracked down his nurse ex-wife through her state BON license listing. She had a restraining order and was living in alternate, SAFE housing. But he figured it out and she was assaulted/killed.

I don't remember all those ancient details now but I do remember that the episode raised this same type of alarm and discussion among 'licensed' professionals who expressed concern for their own safety in light of the episode.

I think I remember some nurses using Post Office PO Box addresses just for this reason.