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Discussion

RN title use

I have an unusual situation/question. I have looked on the Texas Board of Nursing site and checked the Nursing Practice Act and haven't been able to find the answer. I placed my RN license on inactive status back in 2010 due to disability when it became clear I would probably never be able to return to my nursing career.

I am toying with the idea of doing some professional writing and also starting a support group for chronic pain patients in my community. I'd like to use my credentials as a RN but don't know if that is possible since my license is on inactive status.

In the state of Texas in order to reactivate your lisence (after 4 years) you must take a refresher course that has both a didactic and clinical component. The course work is not an issue but physically I know there is no way I can do the clinical component (at least not for the foreseeable future). So reactivating my license is not an option.

I've seen where sometimes for disciplinary reason the BON will give limited licenses that excludes nurses from direct patient care. I don't know if I could petition the board for a limited license or not for the purpose of using my license as an author. Would leading a support group be considered direct care? (I know I don't technically need my RN license to accomplish either of these but I do think it would add credibility. Maybe not?)

Does anyone have any answers or ideas?

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    • Featured Replies

    Could you say "RN, ret."?

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    Do you have a degree? If say

    Super Nurse Writer, BSN, RN (inactive) or SNW, BSN, RN (ret).

    Like the military..

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    • Author

    Thank you all. I wasn't sure whether I could legally still use the title RN or not. There is nothing in the nurse practice act that addresses this.

    JustBeachy, I have my BSN. So Cricket, BSN, RN (inactive) or (ret) would work. Thank you!

    ETA: I took another look at the NPA and it actually does address this issue. I was looking under the wrong section. A nurse who is in good standing with the board when they request their lisence to be placed on inactive status may use the title RN or LVN, retited. If however your lisence is on inactive status due to board or in leu of board discipline, you cannot use the designation. Therefore, I would be able to use it.

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    Thank you all. I wasn't sure whether I could legally still use the title RN or not. There is nothing in the nurse practice act that addresses this.

    JustBeachy, I have my BSN. So Cricket, BSN, RN (inactive) or (ret) would work. Thank you!

    ETA: I took another look at the NPA and it actually does address this issue. I was looking under the wrong section. A nurse who is in good standing with the board when they request their lisence to be placed on inactive status may use the title RN or LVN, retited. If however your lisence is on inactive status due to board or in leu of board discipline, you cannot use the designation. Therefore, I would be able to use it.

    Awesome!

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    Thank you all. I wasn't sure whether I could legally still use the title RN or not. There is nothing in the nurse practice act that addresses this.

    JustBeachy, I have my BSN. So Cricket, BSN, RN (inactive) or (ret) would work. Thank you!

    ETA: I took another look at the NPA and it actually does address this issue. I was looking under the wrong section. A nurse who is in good standing with the board when they request their lisence to be placed on inactive status may use the title RN or LVN, retited. If however your lisence is on inactive status due to board or in leu of board discipline, you cannot use the designation. Therefore, I would be able to use it.

    Best Wishes!

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    I'm going to sound nit picky, but if you are going to write articles, make spell check your friend. It's license!!!!

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    • Author
    I'm going to sound nit picky, but if you are going to write articles, make spell check your friend. It's license!!!!

    That's no joke, right? LOL! Sometimes I just laugh at myself. Misspelling and grammar are two of my pet peeves. It's an OCD thing for me. I noticed all the typos but it was too late to edit my post. I honestly do know how to spell retired and license (misspelled that one twice in my last post but spelled it correctly throughout my first post--what's up with that?). I'll blame it on a lack of sleep and pain medication. Been dealing with some serious insomnia lately due to my RSD flaring up.

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    Yes.... you are STILL an RN, but for EMPLOYMENT purposes, your LICENSE is not currently active....

    you may use the title

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