RN...?? misrepresentation?

Nurses Recovery

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Specializes in ONCOLOGY, TELEMETRY.

Someone asked me this question the other day, and I didn't know how to answer it..

If your licence is not active or suspended, or void for whatever reason, can you call yourself an RN? Or a nurse?

How would one represent him/herself?

I'm a former nurse? I'm a nurse? or I'm an RN?

And if you call yourself an RN if you don't have an active license, can there be legal reprecussions?

Interesting question....:confused:

What do you guys know about that?

God bless

Ariel

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I think you need an active license to call yourself an RN, but it's a good question. Hope you get some more answers!!

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Specializes in Medical.

I have no direct knowledge, and imagine exact details vary from juristiction to juristiction, but surely you have to be registered (ie on a register) to legally call yourself an RN

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Specializes in ONCOLOGY, TELEMETRY.

I thought so....However, I think there is a fine line...

Like someone who have the licence suspended...he/she is still registered...but they can't work. So, in this case they can introduce themselves as an RN? I think so.

But then, you cannot apply for a position that require a license, then is considered misrepresentation...

I guess that the intend also counts...by being an RN in the place that you represent yourself will make a difference between getting the position or benefit or not, then there will be representation?

Or, if you are in a circle of friends, and you casually say, "I'm an RN"?

I'm just blabbing....maybe someone will give us a more intelligent answer....lol:rolleyes:

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Obviously, your best answer would come from your state BON.

However, most states have "title protection" written into the state law, and it is against the law to call yourself an RN or LPN (and, I think, in some states, even the generic "nurse") without being licensed as such. Having had a license in the past (but not having one now) is not good enough. Yes, there can be "legal repercussions."

I don't have any idea about the suspended license situation -- that's a good question. Again, your best source of info is your state BON. There are differences (in rules/regs, interpretations, etc.) among states.

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

i had a stroke in 2003. i was advised to keep renewing both my driver's license and my nursing license

until i was absolutely positive i could no longer actively be a nurse or drive. i have let my nursing license lapse, but just renewed my driver's license last year because my neuro feels i will be able to drive again eventually.

when someone asks what i did before, i tell them i was a rn before. i still think like a nurse, could

perform cpr in a pinch, remember almost all of what i learned, and still think like a nurse when i see or speak with our 95 year old neighbor. i assess what is in her shopping cart, look and estimate approximately how much more weight i think she's lost since i last saw her, how alert and oriented she is, etc. nurse thinking...

but am i still a nurse? nope.:crying2:

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

We all became nurses when we graduated from our nursing programs.

We all became RNs or LPNs when licensed.

But, once the license lapses or is revoked/suspended, we cannot call ourselves RN or LPN.

And, as elkpark pointed out, in some states "nurse" is a protected title and unless licensed, cannot call oneself nurse.

So, it's up to the individual BON to make that determination; again as elkpark pointed out.

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Specializes in ONCOLOGY, TELEMETRY.

Great answers!

I totally agree!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
quote=sharpeimom;4396074

when someone asks what i did before, i tell them i was a rn before. i still think like a nurse

could perform cpr in a pinch, remember almost all of what i learned, and still think like a nurse when i see or speak with our 95 year old neighbor. i assess what is in her shopping cart, look and estimate approximately how much more weight i think she's lost since i last saw her, how alert and oriented she is, etc. nurse thinking...

as far as i'm concerned, you are still a nurse. you're a retired nurse, and i don't know about anyone else, but i treasure the input i get from you and others here who have so much to offer that is impossible to get in any way other than from those who had white shoes on the ground. :nurse: at the risk of sounding too sappy, please realize that you have as much to contribute now as you ever have in the past. :redpinkhe

ps my mom is in the hospital now, and you better believe i'm watching her 02 and counting respirations like a mad fool, ready to kick some serious tail around at a moment's notice, which may be very soon. :devil:

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.
as far as i'm concerned, you are still a nurse. you're a retired nurse, and i don't know about anyone else, but i treasure the input i get from you and others here who have so much to offer that is impossible to get in any way other than from those who had white shoes on the ground. :nurse: at the risk of sounding too sappy, please realize that you have as much to contribute now as you ever have in the past. :redpinkhe

ps my mom is in the hospital now, and you better believe i'm watching her 02 and counting respirations like a mad fool, ready to kick some serious tail around at a moment's notice, which may be very soon. :devil:

thank you, nursel56. i had the stroke the day after my 54th birthday. i had an aneurysm rupture when i was 13 months old and my neuro thinks that caused the stroke 53 years later. i kept my weight average, exercised 3x a week, did aerobics and water exercise, walked the dog about 3 miles per day, you name it, but it wasn't enough. i still read journals, come to allnurses, in short, i still think like a nurse. thank you for your kind words! they're appreciated a great deal because in some ways, i've had to build a whole new me. a few people have been kind enough (dripping sarcasm) to point out that i have absolutely no business posting or participating here.:eek: those of you who build me uphelp more than you know.:hug:

i'm so sorry to hear about your mom. hope all goes well and she's home again soon.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

sharpeimom............you'll ALWAYS be a nurse. You've nothing to prove to anyone.

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Specializes in Impaired Nurse Advocate, CRNA, ER,.
sharpeimom............you'll ALWAYS be a nurse. You've nothing to prove to anyone.

Exactly right, SirI. Even though we might not be able to use the legal term nurse, it doesn't change the fact that you are, and will always be a nurse.

We are ALL more than our chosen profession. This was one of the things that was a major obstacle in my recovery. Until I truly came to realize I am a son, brother, father, friend, artist, etc., much MORE than a CRNA, I struggled. To say this disease forced me to truly perform a personal inventory and determine what my priorities are is an understatement. If our identity is totally wrapped up in being a nurse we miss the many other (I dare say the more important) aspects of who we are.

You have nothing to prove to anyone...including yourself!

Jack

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