Should I have turned the LVN in?

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So I know this person who is an LVN, or so I thought until recently. I was informed by someone close to this person that they in fact were not an LVN. I then decided to look at the BON website and find out if they were licensed. I could not find this person anywhere with any info I put in...Not even with the correct SS# or Birthdate! I then thought maybe they were a MA and just told ppl they were an LVN. But after I talked to this person's place of business I found out that they were in fact practicing with the title of LVN. So I sent a letter to the board because I felt it my obligation to do so. Did I overstep any boundaries? I think not, but I am sure someone has to have a different opinion than me. Also, I am a little worried that this may come back on me. I had no ill will toward this person, I was simply concerned and appalled that someone could get away with this. Hopefully for this persons sake they are in fact licensed and for some reason I just could not find it.

Specializes in LTC, Perioperative.
ok you have no business with her ss number you could have used her name or simply ask her for her license number.what if this person has identity stolen and you get caught up in that.i do agree that misrepresenting oneself as a nurse should be reported.what kind of a person that was such a close acquaintance of the individual would give you their ss. it is sad that you see no harm in having and using the ss.would you like it if your family or friends hand out your ss?

i see you have been an rn for less than a month ( i too am a new nurse), and i am not sure what state you practice in, but i will educate you on this...i follow the nursing laws and rules according to the board of nursing that licenses me.which leads me to my first point.

did you not read what you just quoted? i will repost so you can read it!

what information is needed to file a complaint? (according to the board of nursing in the state that licenses me)

please provide the identity of the nurse involved, including the correct spelling of the name, and the nursing license number or social security number, if known, to assist us in the event the name is common

so the board of nursing demands that this information be provided if it is available.

i never shared this information with anyone but the bon. i simply searched using the ss#.

also if this person is in fact licensed then the bon already has their ss#!

next i dont know if you have ever verified a license online, but there are three ways to do so:

1. nursing license number-which i did not know and am only an acquaintance of this person, therefor i was not going to call them or their employer to get it.

2. first and last name- many people can share their name so i felt this may not help in identifying them.

3. last four digits of ss# and birthdate- this was the most logical way for me to verify the license with out their being a mix up. and it was only the last four digits ppl...not the entire social

i hope not to sound caddy or rude. i just do not appreciate my motives being questioned. they were for the safety of potential patients.

after all, didn't we go to school to protect out patients, to be their advocate?

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I don't know of places that hire "nurses" without verifying their licenses before hiring, or shortly afterward. If the facility this person works for didn't verify, they aren't doing what they should.

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Could she have been an RN? Is that a separate search? Did you try and look at the CNA registry too?

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Specializes in LTC, Perioperative.
Could she have been an RN? Is that a separate search? Did you try and look at the CNA registry too?

I was able to verify that they were licensed as a CNA about ten years ago but the license was no longer active. I do not know if maybe they were licensed as a nurse at one point in time, I do not know how to search that. I do know they are currently practicing and identifying them self as one....therefore there licensing should be active!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
if anything, i would have consulted nm, sharing concerns.

it doesn't matter why op did this.:twocents:

if an unlicensed person is working as someone who is, it warrants investigation.

lots of potential for danger, if choosing to look other way.

leslie

It matters a whole lot how she got that information. If you've never been the victim of ID theft, as I was, you can't begin to understand.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
So the person that gave me this info is an ex relative, that at some point in time had access to this info for some reason or another. I don't care care what that reason is. I am just an acquaintance to the LVN. I have met this person and in the short time I have known them we have had conversations about nursing, so i know they identify them self as a nurse. I could care less if they are in fact licensed or not...I care if they are practicing as a nurse and in fact have no formal education.

I will reiterate that there was no ill will intended on my part. I am a concerned nurse who wants to make sure that the patients who come in contact with this person are receiving competent care.

It is not my job to investigate this, but it is someones!

Why did you take that information? If someone offered me up that info., I would have said, "No thanks." Sounds like there is a lot of back-story to this. "Ex-relative?" Like a former spouse who is now your BF?

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If I were you I would also do a little snooping around your counties online web docket. If the LVN is going to go as far as to lie about licensing, it might be a interesting to see what else their hiding.

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Specializes in LTC, Perioperative.

i am getting a little frustrated! if i would made my original post but left out the part of the social i would have gotten a completely different response.. i just wanted to know if anyone has been in my shoes.

my point in posting this was to see how many other ppl would have had the guts to submit a letter to the state with the information that i had. especially because i had nothing to lose or gain!! i heard they were practicing as an lvn and in fact were not one so i investigated.

instead most of the replies have been belittling me, questioning my intentions, almost accusing me of identity theft or selling someone's personal information!

stop it ppl! i used the last four digits and this info was given to me by someone who had access to this info from a legal document that was issued to them legally by the state!!!!!!!!

the state should not have put that info on the document, yes, but i did nothing illegal.

on the other hand, their could be a nurse out their that is treating you, your family, or even worse.....your child. wouldn't you want to know if they were an imposter and not properly educated?????????????????????????????

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Ok you have no business with her SS number you could have used her name or simply ask her for her license number.What if this person has identity stolen and you get caught up in that.i do agree that misrepresenting oneself as a Nurse should be reported.What kind of a person that was such a close acquaintance of the individual would give you their SS. it is sad that you see no harm in having and using the ss.Would you like it if your family or friends hand out your SS?

Exactly.

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Specializes in LTC, Perioperative.
why did you take that information? If someone offered me up that info., i would have said, "no thanks." sounds like there is a lot of back-story to this. "ex-relative?" like a former spouse who is now your bf?

how many times do i have to say this......i have nothing to gain from this! This is not a relationship war. I am not out to get anyone, no malice intended....nor is/was the person providing the info to me. They simply thought the person practicing as an lvn was not truely one, came to me since i am a nurse. Asked me 'how do you find out' i showed them....once i realized the person was not a nurse and was practicing as one, i took action (as was my duty) excuse me if you feel i was in the wrong. I simply love my profession and do not want anyone to tarnish our reputation.

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Specializes in NICU.

To the OP-don't get so upset. Folks get riled up around here for various things. In particular, people don't like other people reporting people as this is not "minding their own business." The whole knowing the SSN thing is weird (and sounds like the acquaintance has a vendetta against the "LPN") which makes people think that you have dishonorable intentions and therefore don't want anything to do with making you feel good.

I think you did the right thing by reporting something you thought was wrong after investigating the matter.

I'm not sure why you need validation from AN?

Keep us posted--I'm curious to see what would happen in this scenario...

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

I don't understand the purpose of this thread-someone posts here regarding action they have taken and ask for opinions regarding same but if they get an opinion that is in opposition to theirs then they come out swinging.What's the point?

We must all follow our nurse practice act-which the op clearly did..... I do see a problem with the motive-I would only report this type of violation if I was directly involved-(if it was a co-worker or staff at my physician's office.Otherwise I would stay out of it -but that does not mean I'm right and the op is wrong .It just means I won't get involved in a she said/he said, ex whatever,former lover or first wife stuff...I would encourage the person who is coming to me with the info to report it themselves-it can be done easily by anyone..

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