So i'm a Nurse right????

Nurses New Nurse

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What do you call a graduate Nurse who has not taken boards? a nurse? just not licensed yet?.... hmm...

In Florida, one of the titles listed is: "Only persons who are graduates of approved programs or the equivalent may use the term "Graduate Nurse" and the abbreviation "G.N.," pending the results of the first licensure examination for which they are eligible." so that would be you. You were right. :)

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing/info_practiceAct.pdf

Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
I have graduated, passed the NCLEX first time, been looking for a job for 4 months and I don't feel comfortable saying I'm a Nurse. Not untill I get a job and work as one! :crying2:

Yeah, I passed the NCLEX in early June, didn't start my first nursing job until late August. So technically I was an RN/nurse, but felt like a fraud when family/friends would introduce me as such "She's a nurse" -- um, no. Maybe on paper, but not in reality!

Specializes in LTC, SKILLED, LTAC, HOSPICE.

Has anyone ever heard of actually receiving their ATT from Pearson... BEFORE the BON initiates the GN status on their website??

Specializes in ER, Pediatric Transplant, PICU.

Am I the only one frustrated with the OP? She said,"so I'm a nurse, right?" and everybody is saying... noooo, you aren't, you are a GN, and she still insists she's a nurse. I think it's pointless to give your opinion on this thread, because she just wants people to say she's a nurse.

Am I the only one frustrated with the OP? She said,"so I'm a nurse, right?" and everybody is saying... noooo, you aren't, you are a GN, and she still insists she's a nurse. I think it's pointless to give your opinion on this thread, because she just wants people to say she's a nurse.

She IS a graduate nurse if her state uses that distinction. It's important that she use that full title until it no longer applies (i.e., she passes NCLEX, fails NCLEX or the temporary license expires) so there is no confusion or perceived deception, but there is nothing wrong with her describing herself as a graduate nurse if her state allows her to do that.

In the end, it doesn't matter what WE say. It matters what the BON in her state says. If they are willing to call her a graduate nurse, then we should be willing to abide by their decision.

Best wishes to you, OP, on taking and passing NCLEX.

Specializes in ER, Pediatric Transplant, PICU.
She IS a graduate nurse if her state uses that distinction. It's important that she use that full title until it no longer applies (i.e., she passes NCLEX, fails NCLEX or the temporary license expires) so there is no confusion or perceive3d deception, but there is nothing wrong with er her describing herself as a graduate nurse if her state allows her to do that.

In the end, it doesn't matter what WE say. It matters what the BON in her state says. If they are willing to call her a graduate nurse, then we should be willing to abide by their decision.

Best wishes to you, OP, on taking and passing NCLEX.

I realize she is a GRADUATE nurse, but she's saying that "since she completed the coursework, afterall" she is a nurse. Look at my origional post, I said, "coursework doesn't make you a nurse. The NCLEX does." I was just stating she cannot call herself a nurse until she passes the NCLEX. I fully support the graduate nurse title.

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
I sort of see it this way: I am a BSN. I will be an RN when I pass the NCLEX and I see my name on the state's registry. But being a "nurse" and actually feel like one? I don't know when that will happen. Probably sometime during my first year of employment...I hope.

I see it this way: you HAVE a BSN...you aren't a BSN. When I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree I didn't say "I AM a BA." I said I have a BA in English.

You're not a nurse until you pass the boards.

Specializes in SICU.
Am I the only one frustrated with the OP? She said,"so I'm a nurse, right?" and everybody is saying... noooo, you aren't, you are a GN, and she still insists she's a nurse. I think it's pointless to give your opinion on this thread, because she just wants people to say she's a nurse.

I would like to say this as nicely as possible... its not that serious!!!! it is no skin of your nose that i call myself a graduate NURSE.... will this affect you in any way? i doubt it... This was a curious thread meant to gather opinions from other nurses... many have given answers and don't seems to be frustrated that i call myself a graduate NURSE.... i doubt its a case of misrepresentation r/t the fact that i am a graduated NURSE....

for all that wished me luck on the NCLEX, thank you, im studying quite hard and i cannot wait to join the ranks as a Registered NURSE.....:nurse:

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Yeah, I passed the NCLEX in early June, didn't start my first nursing job until late August. So technically I was an RN/nurse, but felt like a fraud when family/friends would introduce me as such "She's a nurse" -- um, no. Maybe on paper, but not in reality!

Although I feel weird calling myself a nurse, it all still feels so new and it's hard to realize after working so long on my degree (my program had a 3.5 year wait) even in my job interview it was weird to think of myself as a nurse, I don't feel like I am doing anything wrong in calling my self a nurse. If someone who didn't know me asked what my profession is I would say I am a nurse. If they went on to ask where I am working I would proceed to explain I am trying to find my first job. (Which hopefully I have by the end of this week!). But I am a nurse no matter how odd it feels. I have an active registered nursing license. A lawyer in between firms is still a lawyer.

As far as people calling themselves Nurses (leaving off the graduate part) that haven't taken boards yet, I thought that was illegal??

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
i would like to say this as nicely as possible... its not that serious!!!! it is no skin of your nose that i call myself a graduate nurse.... will this affect you in any way? i doubt it... this was a curious thread meant to gather opinions from other nurses... many have given answers and don't seems to be frustrated that i call myself a graduate nurse.... i doubt its a case of misrepresentation r/t the fact that i am a graduated nurse....

for all that wished me luck on the nclex, thank you, im studying quite hard and i cannot wait to join the ranks as a registered nurse.....:nurse:

i think the frustration comes from a couple of posts you didn't say graduate nurse, you said nurse, or unlicensed nurse.

if you are calling yourself a graduate nurse then there isn't a problem. but from my understanding the title of nurse is a protected title for those that are actively licensed. so if you are going around calling yourself a nurse, all by itself, it might be illegal. (from my understanding). i don't think anyone is trying to downplay your accomplishments, but if you haven't passed boards yet and you are running around calling yourself a nurse (again not graduate nurse) you are downplaying their accomplishments.

these 2 posts you are just saying nurse, not graduate nurse. i think that is where the frustration is coming from.

as the previous poster noted in some states it is possible to work as a nurse as you wait to take boards.. [b']so yes in my book that makes me a nurse.[/b]..just not a licensed one... after all i completed the coursework for my respective program....

thank you for the opinions. i like the posters who clarified the point i was trying to make, that when one has graduated nursing school, one is no longer referred to as a nursing student... really it doesnt make sense to call one a graduate nursing student as when you graduate, it means you have completed your course of study.

in no way do i underestimate the importance of the nclex, however, when one is functioning in the role of a nurse i.e on a temporary license (and again, i understand that some states do not do this) one is a nurse...just not a licensed individual. and again, that is where the term rn comes into play... when you have taken the nclex, you are registered thus on top of being a nurse, you have shown the competency and attained the status of a licensed (lpn) or registered (rn) nurse.... :hotchocolate:

Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).
I see it this way: you HAVE a BSN...you aren't a BSN. When I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree I didn't say "I AM a BA." I said I have a BA in English.

You're not a nurse until you pass the boards.

Does that mean you had a BA but weren't English until you passed those boards?

Specializes in ER, Pediatric Transplant, PICU.

I know you think it isn't a big deal, but, from the Ohio board of nursing....

4723.03 Unlicensed practice

(A) No person shall engage in the practice of nursing as a registered nurse, represent the person as being a registered nurse, or use the title “registered nurse,” the initials “R.N.,” or any other title implying that the person is a registered nurse, for a fee, salary, or other consideration, or as a volunteer, without holding a current, valid license as a registered nurse under this chapter...

© No person shall use the titles or initials “graduate nurse,” “G.N.,” “professional nurse,” “P.N.,” “graduate practical nurse,” “G.P.N.,” “practical nurse,” “P.N.,” “trained nurse,” “T.N.,” or any other statement, title, or initials that would imply or represent to the public that the person is authorized to practice nursing in this state, except as follows: (and none of them say if you have graduated nursing school.)

You may think it's not a big deal, but when you have been a nurse for a while, you will see that people take their license seriously, and there are rules about saying you are a nurse and not being one that are inforced. I dont care what you tell yourself, but you cant tell a patient you are a nurse if you aren't a REGISTERED nurse.

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