My supervisor told me tonight that HR was getting complaints from patients stating, "The BSN nurse gave better care than the non-BSN nurse." End result, only RN will go on namebadge.
I do not want to debate whether BSN nurses are better or worse. What I would like feedback on is:
1.) Can a hospital legally take away your title of RN, BSN or RN MSN, etc.?
2.) I personally feel that is a "slap" in the face and demoralizes nursing and education! Am I the only one who feels like this?
Currently in progress towards my doctorate with plenty of certifications to go along with it. No one can "take" this away from me, as I earned every one of them.
However, I am apparently in the minority. I don't care if anyone else knows. I pursued education and certifications for ME and my own satisfaction. I don't care whether anyone else ever knows, and for most lay people, I find the alphabet soup is just confusing. Also, I also believe that fancy titles do not necessarily make a great nurse, just as having MD behind a physician's name does not equate clinical competence. I think all a patient really cares about is "Will this nurse care for me in a way that is safe and compassionate?"
That said, I think it is important to recognize achievement by coworkers (ex- achieving certification, etc), just not to use achievement as a way to determine who is "better."
As I passed a door, I actually heard a family member tell the pt "I'm going to complain that you only got a LPN," referring to one of the best critical thinkers and most experienced nurses on our floor.
So I'm all for removing tags that let ignorant troublemakers "compare" one nurse with another on the totally bogus basis of alphabet soup.
Keep your trophy shelf at home, guys. A pt has the therapeutically beneficial right to totally trust her assigned nurse.
At my hospital, if you're a nurse it will say "registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse or licensed practical nurse". That's it. No BScN or whatever. I've never heard any RN's discuss this in real life. Just here on allnurses.
Oh and on the doctor's name badges, it says "Dr. Who". That's it. No "Dr. Who, MD, BSc, FRCPC, XYZXYZ...."
A patient wants to know who is a doctor, who is an RN and who is an LPN. That's all.
At my hospital, if you're a nurse it will say "registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse or licensed practical nurse". That's it. No BScN or whatever. I've never heard any RN's discuss this in real life. Just here on allnurses.
Oh and on the doctor's name badges, it says "Dr. Who". That's it. No "Dr. Who, MD, BSc, FRCPC, XYZXYZ...."
A patient wants to know who is a doctor, who is an RN and who is an LPN. That's all.
I see docs with extra credentials on their badges all the time. Most common: PhD, MBA, MPH. I even knew an MD, JD. That is one group of people who celebrate educational achievement, not try to downplay it.
From reading this post I have noticed that for the most part those without further education, esp the LPNs do not like educational credentials to be placed upon name tags and those with the educational credentials are either indifferent or want them there.
From reading this post I have noticed that for the most part those without further education, esp the LPNs do not like educational credentials to be placed upon name tags and those with the educational credentials are either indifferent or want them there.
This reminds me of a debate I had to have at work.
The issue of differentiating between LPNs and RNs was brought up. Several of the LPNs made the claim that all Nursing staff should be referred to as "Nurses" instead of LPN or RN on their name badge.
They felt the reason for this were pretty much all the reasons stated in this thread. "No difference between an LPN and RN, patients get confused etc etc."
Funny thing was I observed the same split. Those with the education were either indifferent or wanted it posted, those without did not want the distinction made.
P.S. On a personal note....although I will get flamed for this...I believe that 95% of those who do not want the distinction made do not have the education and feel looked down upon or somehow lesser Nurses. I say if you lack that much personal and/or professional confidence to be proud of what you have/are then invest the time, money, and effort in getting the education yourself.
If we are to elevate Nursing from the dredges of "The Doctors Assistant or Pill Pushers" then we need to not only advertise our advanced educational achievements but also encourage it.
I know many Nurses that were finally convinced to obtain further education after seeing how sporifice their name tag was...even if it was only a certification in something.
"I think the suggestion to sew your credentials on your scrubs or your jacket is an excellent one."
Well, I guess it could be an excellent suggestion. But only if you have the hide of a rhinocerous and don't care about others' opinions.
Do so, and incur the jokes/ridicule/wrath of your co-workers.
Could someone tell me one (just ONE) other profession whose members feel compelled to display their level of education on their breastbone?
Teachers, although they do tend to have a desk with a rather large name plate.
Respiratory Therapy.
Pharmacy.
Lawyers.
Any type of skilled work.
P.S. The only ones laughing are those without the education and to be honest if you are laughing at someone becauce they have more education than you then...well I am sorry for you. I am personally inspired by anyone with a BSN or MSN or CRNI or CCRN on their badge.
From reading this post I have noticed that for the most part those without further education, esp the LPNs do not like educational credentials to be placed upon name tags and those with the educational credentials are either indifferent or want them there.
So where would I fit in? I am an LPN and I possess both an associates degree AND a bachelors degee (neither in nursing). I am an LPN with a higher level of education who does not care who puts what on their badge. Am I a seperate catagory??
"The only ones laughing are those without the education "
Oh my. I hope you don't seriously believe that. It's quite a sweeping statement about those who have lesser educations than your accepted norm.
The ones who might be tempted to snicker are those who are comfortable in their own skins and do not see the need for self-promotion above their peers.
AOx1
961 Posts
Currently in progress towards my doctorate with plenty of certifications to go along with it. No one can "take" this away from me, as I earned every one of them.
However, I am apparently in the minority. I don't care if anyone else knows. I pursued education and certifications for ME and my own satisfaction. I don't care whether anyone else ever knows, and for most lay people, I find the alphabet soup is just confusing. Also, I also believe that fancy titles do not necessarily make a great nurse, just as having MD behind a physician's name does not equate clinical competence. I think all a patient really cares about is "Will this nurse care for me in a way that is safe and compassionate?"
That said, I think it is important to recognize achievement by coworkers (ex- achieving certification, etc), just not to use achievement as a way to determine who is "better."