Telling People Your Nurse Title, RN or LVN

[delrionurse]

When people ask your occupation do you say "nurse", or 'RN' or 'LVN' if your LVN. To me if you say your title instead of just nurse, then you eliminate any further questions if they ask LVN or RN. I've done this as an LVN, and I don't get negative responses except for the question of 'are you going to get your RN' and all the other questions. To be honest, I can "feel" that they wanted an RN or for us to say some other title than LVN.

Anyone else experience this?

[K. Everly, BSN, RN]

I use both nurse and RN when describing my occupation. I think more often I just say “nurse.” I do admit though that if I were an LPN/LVN I’m not sure I say that to the lay person because I think most ppl aren’t familiar with what it means. 

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

I usually just say nurse, but it depends on the context. I was an LPN, and yes, I used to get the questions. Once I got my RN, it was switched to  "when are you going to NP school, or why aren't you a doctor?" 

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I just go with nurse. Not many people have pressed for specifics more than that. I can see why questions about your career choices could get tiring, though. 

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

As an older male nurse, I still will occasionally get "I have to get off the phone the doctor is here" so when I introduce myself I usually say "I'll be your RN today...and so and so is our tech" so it's clear that I'm not the doctor, housekeeper or CNA.  I'm sure that's not necessary and "I am your nurse today" is sufficient.

[Queen Tiye, RN]

I just say "Nurse".  Also, if people asking you about becoming an RN is off-putting, perhaps just completely ignore the question.  It's presumptuous and I would find it annoying.

[jobellestarr]

I avoid telling anyone my occupation outside of work. That leads to long and boring discussions about their surgery, hospital stays, blah, blah, blah. And if asked, I would only say nurse even in the hospital setting. I don’t think the general population knows or cares what your actual degree is. I’ve never (40 yr RN) had anyone ask me that either. ❤️

[Davey Do]

Back in the mid 80's a Paramedic referred to me as a Let's Play Nurse, which really singed my shorts.

So, I became, according to that Paramedic, a Real Nurse.

But then, in the early 90's, an old farmer/patient said to me, "You became a nurse because you're not smart enough to be a doctor!"

His words were not enough to inspire me to become a doctor.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

When asked what my occupation is I usually say rodeo bull fighter. No one who I don't work with needs to know what I do or my crededtials. 

Hppy

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

I say RN or Nurse. Once I start working as an NP, I will just say "in healthcare."

[Glycerine82, LPN]

I say nurse. Most people don’t know what LPN stands for which leads to the inevitable “so you’re not a nurse?” Which leads to me explaining and then I find myself justifying my title and convincing them that I’m competent and proficient.  If they call me an RN, I correct them though. 

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

"Nurse Karen RN" wherever I go...especially when my Dad was with me. 

Got lots of Mardi Gras beads given to me from complete strangers "she's bringing them to her patients."