Our admin is adamant that our last names be visible on our name badges. We've all done the cover-it-up-with-tape thing, but she has us remove the tape. Last night made me really think about this policy.
Had a just released inmate from prison who flipped because he couldn't smoke. He started throwing things and we had to call security. Three of us were holding him down while we waited (and waited) for security. He let loose a string of threats that I will try to tone down...to the effect of 'I'm gonna rape you, you f-ing whores, I'll rape you in your *** and afterward I'll bash your brains in, you'll find out what pain really is...blah blah'...this went on for about five minutes, MUCH more graphic than the above.
Now I for one, have an unusual name--there is only one of me in this town. What else can I do besides go unlisted in the phonebook? He could even look me up by name under Florida's Nursing Board, too I think. I hate to over-react, but I'd hate to be sorry later.
I remember in nursing school having to do my psych clinicals at a federal prison and a state psych hospital. The nursing instructor FORCED me to display my full name on my name badge, even after I expressed my concern about this several times. (I also have a unique name and the only person in my town with that name.) The instructor could not care less how I felt. I basically had no choice but to display my full name, or possibly get sent home from clinicals (fail) for "not complying with the dress code."
Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.
i think the last name thing is just something we focus on that doesn't really mean much. if he really wants to rape you, he knows where you work. he just has to wait and follow you. i've always had my last name on my badge (to me, it just seems unprofessional to not have it).
you know, for as much of a stink as i make over keeping my last name off of my id, i think you are probably right about this.
but why make it easy for them?
shouldn't we, and our employers, take steps to keep us safe?
the thing is, i'm reasonably certain that if someone is determined to get back at me for some preceived wrong i did to them while they were a patient of mine, that i'm probably in for it. but there is a whole separate set of people who are too lazy to go through all that trouble, but if you make it easy for them, they will seize the opportunity.
i'd be willing to bet if someone really wanted to break into my house, they would be successful no mater what i did. but having three failry large dogs (one who sleeps in my bed), sure does make me feel better. and though it may not deter someone who was really determined, i'd be willing to bet that the average theif would bypass my house once they all start barking!
you know, for as much of a stink as i make over keeping my last name off of my id, i think you are probably right about this.
but why make it easy for them?
shouldn't we, and our employers, take steps to keep us safe?
the thing is, i'm reasonably certain that if someone is determined to get back at me for some preceived wrong i did to them while they were a patient of mine, that i'm probably in for it. but there is a whole separate set of people who are too lazy to go through all that trouble, but if you make it easy for them, they will seize the opportunity.
i'd be willing to bet if someone really wanted to break into my house, they would be successful no mater what i did. but having three failry large dogs (one who sleeps in my bed), sure does make me feel better. and though it may not deter someone who was really determined, i'd be willing to bet that the average theif would bypass my house once they all start barking!
y'all are probably right about that. i have a big dog too, and he does make me feel safer. but you guys are probably right about the last name thing. what about license plates? pt's have a full view of employee parking lot and can easily see who gets into what car (although from the 4th floor they probably can't see the plate, come to think of it).
i'm not a psych nurse -- i'm a critical care nurse. i've always had my last name on my name badge, too. i've had three patients look me up outside the workplace -- one wanted a date, one wanted to take my husband and i fishing in alaska (strange situation) and one (a psych patient) was found hanging out in a tree outside my bedroom window night after night. i called the police, who said they'd get back to me next tuesday (they never did) and finally solved my own problem by borrowing a shotgun from my father and spending an evening cleaning it on my bed. i still have my last name on my badge, but now my phone is listed with mine and my husband's names.
Why should my last name be available for anyone at all? We don't know the last names of our WalMart checkers, our bank tellers, the ppl at the gas station, etc etc etc. As an above poster said, if a pt has a problem they can go through the appropriate channels and lodge their complaint with my supervisor. And it really isn't too difficult to learn which nurse had which patient - ever hear of signing charts? I just feel like there is way too much for me to lose, and too much liability to have my last name available. If a patient asks, I (for the most part) say we aren't allowed to give them out as a security measure. Because, honestly, WHY DOES ANYONE NEED MY LAST NAME? I do things at work that make people unhappy - refuse pain meds to drug seekers, put psychs in 5 pt restraints, assist with getting psychs admitted, etc. I spend my day helping ppl, why should I put myself in any sort of jeopardy because of that? It really doesn't matter to me if the chances are high or low. It is just a chance I choose not to take.
Why should our last names be available for clients? Because we're professionals, and that's how professionals operate.
When was the last time we saw an attorney introduce herself as, "Hi, I'm Suzy J."? Likewise, judges, physicians, or any other group that provides professional services uses their full name. It's just the way professionals do things.
If we are going to compare ourselves with "WalMart checkers, our bank tellers, the people at the gas station," we can do so. But we have by that action forfeited any claim whatsoever to be professionals. If we want to be treated professionally, to have a collegial relationship with other health care providers, and generally have a place in the health care system in our country, we have to begin acting like professionals. If a nurse is afraid, begin by reporting -- quickly, immediately, and with no tolerance -- any threats. If a patient or family member threatens you, walk immediately to a phone and call the police. Do NOT take it up with hospital security, complain to your supervisor, or get weepy. Just call the police, file charges, and follow through. If your employers doesn't like this, well, what a pity! Do not back down. Show them that you are a tough professional who isn't going to be bullied.
Taking a gun class, getting a concealed permit, and carrying a weapon is likewise a good idea, if someone feels the situation is that dire.
The bottom line is that nurses need to stop cowering and stop acting afraid. Bullies, perverts, and other such vermin can smell fear a block away. But people who are not afraid, and who stand up to bullies will find that the bullies back down.
I've had women complain that I speak like this because I'm a man. That's nonsense. I deal with tough, competent, professional women all the time, and they don't somehow feel that it's "unprofessional" or "not ladylike" (I actually had a woman say that, though I still find it hard to believe) to stand up for yourself. It's called assertive behavior, folks. And it's time we all started practicing it.
Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.
I have my first name, last initial and RN...that is ALL I will allow on my badge for this reason!
One time my ALF was going to put our last names on the badges...(most of our names were so long that it would have to be in small type anyway...LOL!), and I reminded my manager that patients get protected highly for their privacy, and I deserve at least this!!!!
I had been threatened a few times by upset family members and really didn't want them knowing my last name because I belong to a large family in a large but rural community...too easy to track down!
Why should our last names be available for clients? Because we're professionals, and that's how professionals operate.
When was the last time we saw an attorney introduce herself as, "Hi, I'm Suzy J."? Likewise, judges, physicians, or any other group that provides professional services uses their full name. It's just the way professionals do things.
If we are going to compare ourselves with "WalMart checkers, our bank tellers, the people at the gas station," we can do so. But we have by that action forfeited any claim whatsoever to be professionals. If we want to be treated professionally, to have a collegial relationship with other health care providers, and generally have a place in the health care system in our country, we have to begin acting like professionals. If a nurse is afraid, begin by reporting -- quickly, immediately, and with no tolerance -- any threats. If a patient or family member threatens you, walk immediately to a phone and call the police. Do NOT take it up with hospital security, complain to your supervisor, or get weepy. Just call the police, file charges, and follow through. If your employers doesn't like this, well, what a pity! Do not back down. Show them that you are a tough professional who isn't going to be bullied.
Taking a gun class, getting a concealed permit, and carrying a weapon is likewise a good idea, if someone feels the situation is that dire.
The bottom line is that nurses need to stop cowering and stop acting afraid. Bullies, perverts, and other such vermin can smell fear a block away. But people who are not afraid, and who stand up to bullies will find that the bullies back down.
I've had women complain that I speak like this because I'm a man. That's nonsense. I deal with tough, competent, professional women all the time, and they don't somehow feel that it's "unprofessional" or "not ladylike" (I actually had a woman say that, though I still find it hard to believe) to stand up for yourself. It's called assertive behavior, folks. And it's time we all started practicing it.
you know, for as much of a stink as i make over keeping my last name off of my id, i think you are probably right about this.
but why make it easy for them?
shouldn't we, and our employers, take steps to keep us safe?
i am completely in favor of keeping employees safe. like i said, i just don't think omitting your last name does it. at all. it is already easy for someone you meet at work to get your personal information including where you live. anyone who is going to rape you or murder you isn't in the "casual" stalker class who would be deterred from not having your last name on your badge imo. i always use my last name (it's unique in it's spelling) but don't have my number listed in the phonebook. that's a good balance for me.
Sooo.....because it rarely happens, we should relax? I think I would rather not take the chance. We have two state prisons in our county and I have dealt with many prisoners over the years. Years ago when my badge had my last name on it, I took it off. Oh.....when in nursing school and I did my psych rotation, we were instructed by the psych staff to NOT wear our name badges and to never give out our last names.
You're darn right. One of my female in-laws used to work for a mental health clinic. More than once she has been stalked and had windows broken out in her house. I don't believe it's urban legend. It's reality.
Have this guy's threats been reported to the police? And security, and managment, and pysch, etc?
It seems like someone with active homicidal etc ideations should not be discharged to the general public!
Well, I certainly documented and reported it! But you can bet...because the guy doesn't have insurance, that we won't hold onto him for long. Sad but true.
NurseKittyAtlanta
73 Posts
I remember in nursing school having to do my psych clinicals at a federal prison and a state psych hospital. The nursing instructor FORCED me to display my full name on my name badge, even after I expressed my concern about this several times. (I also have a unique name and the only person in my town with that name.) The instructor could not care less how I felt. I basically had no choice but to display my full name, or possibly get sent home from clinicals (fail) for "not complying with the dress code."