Why, oh, WHY do nametags always seem to be flipped wrong-side-out??
I'll position mine the proper way (with name and picture front and center) and by the time I walk from the Pyxis to the bedside, approximately 20 feet, it's flipped back over.
Whenever a patient asks my name I look down and again it's flipped to the back and I have to turn it over.
I have turned it over on the holder thinking it might have a preferred side only to again have it be wrong side out 90% of the time.
I have turned it wrong side out on purpose (to fool it) only to check back later and it's still flipped wrong side out (to fool me).
The nametag is plastic so I don't think there is any kind of personal magnetic field interference.
This has happened to me in two different states so I'm ruling out being in a vortex.
I am now investigating whether I might be a vampire-like being (as I do prefer nights) that cannot have a picture of myself visible to the public.
I will appreciate any and ALL explanations or theories on this mighty strange phenomena.
Thank you all for the comments and especially the theories on this apparently common phenomenon. It continues to baffle me as I agree with first poster that it should be a 50/50 chance of being right side out.
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
I worked with a unit manager who pasted Tom Cruise's picture over hers on her badge. She said no one ever asked her about it.
Also, when I was in nursing school, I had two jobs at two different hospitals. One day I wore the wrong badge to a job. No one said a thing about it. I only noticed it when I got home and was taking the badge off.
Ahh...the mysteries of badges...maybe no one ever looks at them anyway, so we don't need to worry about whether they are forward-facing or not!
On Talk Like A Pirate Day (Sept 19) I handed out little skull/crossbones flag stickers that everyone decided to put right over their faces on their badges. No one ever said anything about them. Two still have them on a year and a bit later.
On Talk Like A Pirate Day (Sept 19) I handed out little skull/crossbones flag stickers that everyone decided to put right over their faces on their badges. No one ever said anything about them. Two still have them on a year and a bit later.
"Arrgh matey, what be your pain from zero to being gutted stem to stern?"
Easy solution to this mysterious phenomenon. Make a badge size laminated card printed with quick references in case state surveyors ask "what are patient's rights?" because in my experience they always ask this. You will have your handy answers right there on your badge! Just make sure "I have time to help" is number 1, followed by "what can I get for you." Pretty soon your employers will notice and be so impressed that it becomes mandatory to have the cheat sheet hang in the front. As soon as this inevitably becomes policy your badge will turn picture and name side out to make your odds of being written up for policy violation greater. See? Problem solved!
I have so much "cheat sheet cards" on my lanyard with my badge it constantly spins like a dream catcher.
I swear I always thought nurses did it on purpose to remain unidentified. I even asked a preceptor on the floor once and she told me it was just coincidence :)
Badges with pix are just for vampires who need reminders of their looks since they can't check themselves out in a mirror. I figured you all knew that fact of life!
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I would definitely go with the paranormal explanation for the name badges - Likely some pesky poltergeist. Hospitals are full of souls trapped between this plane and the next. Seriously though I have seen some pretty strange stuff in the wee hours of the morning in facilities where I have worked.
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:angel:
Mavrick, BSN, RN
1,578 Posts
Thank you all for the comments and especially the theories on this apparently common phenomenon. It continues to baffle me as I agree with first poster that it should be a 50/50 chance of being right side out.