Should I change my name?

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Hi folks. I've been reading a this site off and on for a while and after some statements were brought up today in Nursing school I decided to bring my question to the forum. Thanks in advance for any help.

I have spent the last 10 years of my life (before going back to school) as a standup comedian. I am far from famous but do have an online "following" of several thousand people most of whom have seen me live at some point or another. I am somewhat worried that in the future a patient will search for and find me on social media. While I don't think my online media footprint is offensive enough to bother an average member of the general public it is certainly not G rated nor always politically correct. My question is whether I should legally change my name and use the new name as a nurse and use my birth name as a stage name so that I can keep these two lives separate. I am continuing to work as a comedian (although it has become a hobby that occasionally pays rather than the career that it was) so I don't particularly want to shut down social media altogether. Once again thanks for any advice.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Couldn't you just elect to leave your last name off your nursing badge? Much easier and cheaper

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Not all state regulations and facility policy allows for leaving off last names. My facility permits only ER and psych to not have last names on their badges.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Honestly, I think the likelihood of a patient googling your name is so small that it's not something I would worry about.

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Specializes in CVICU.
Honestly, I think the likelihood of a patient googling your name is so small that it's not something I would worry about.

I remember when I was volunteering a patient had asked me to write my full name on a piece of paper for him.... I said no because I knew what he was going to do... You would be surprised because just about anyone could be found and their private life exposed just by knowing your name

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If you want to keep these two "careers" separate, then yes, change your name. Make sure your nsg license name is the same on your driver's license and SS card. I also do not think anyone is going to search you on social media, but you never know anymore what people will do. Also, it could be used against you in a court of law if you should ever be prosecuted. Your character might be in question etc. Careful treading water!!

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
Not all state regulations and facility policy allows for leaving off last names. My facility permits only ER and psych to not have last names on their badges.

Not sure about psych, but in my state, ER staff must have their last name visible on their badges.

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