The title of "nurse"

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2008

You're not overreacting. A person who does not possess RN or LPN licensure cannot legally represent oneself as a nurse to the public. However, you and your coworkers can refer to you as a student nurse (SN), since you are presently enrolled in a BSN degree program.

The nurse manager should know better. Perhaps she does not want the patients to know that you are a CNA, so she purposely refers to you as the nurse.

FLArn · Jul 12, 2008

No, You are being responsible. But you really can't control other people or what they say/do. I would suggest that you continue to correct the receptionist and when you answer the calls say "Joanie Johnson CNA, How may I help you?" or something similar. That way you have not misrepresented your self. But be prepared there will probably be some backlash as Dr. Jones or the manager have to take more calls from patients who want to speak to the "real nurse". But know that soon you will be able to use the title nurse proudly (and legally):icon_hug:

HeyLush3 · Jul 12, 2008

No, You are being responsible. But you really can't control other people or what they say/do. I would suggest that you continue to correct the receptionist and when you answer the calls say "Joanie Johnson CNA, How may I help you?" or something similar. That way you have not misrepresented your self. But be prepared there will probably be some backlash as Dr. Jones or the manager have to take more calls from patients who want to speak to the "real nurse". But know that soon you will be able to use the title nurse proudly (and legally):icon_hug:

When a pt calls and asks if I'm "his nurse" I always say, "No, I'm his CNA" a lot of times the pt's don't even blink an eye but every now and then one will ask to talk to a real nurse. I calmy and very nicely say, "Mr. Smith, I work with Dr. so-and-so very closely and know a lot about what he wants for your treatment... I'm sure I can help you." Generally, that works. If not, I transfer it to the RN.

HeyLush3 · Jul 12, 2008

You're not overreacting. A person who does not possess RN or LPN licensure cannot legally represent oneself as a nurse to the public.

That's exactly what I thought...

My manager's argument is that since I have a state issued lisence from the BON it's okay to refer to myself as a "nurse" even though it's a CNA lisence.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2008

CNA's are part of the nursing staff. I disagree with your manager. Only LPNs and RNs are "nurses", it says so in their title.

I would continue to request that you not be represented in this position as a nurse.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2008

That's exactly what I thought...
My manager's argument is that since I have a state issued lisence from the BON it's okay to refer to myself as a "nurse" even though it's a CNA lisence.

In my neck of the woods, CNAs do not possess any type of licensure. They are certified, not licensed. Thus, they hold the title of certified nursing assistant.

If I'm correct, only New Hampshire issues licensure to their nursing assistants. In this particular state they are called LNAs (licensed nursing assistants).

Columnist · Jul 12, 2008

this is from the oregon nurse practice act.

678.021 license required to practice nursing.
it shall be unlawful for any person to practice nursing or offer to practice nursing in this state or to use any title
or abbreviation, sign, card or device to indicate the person is practicing either practical or registered nursing
unless the person is licensed under ors 678.010 to 678.410 at the level for which the indication of practice is
made and the license is valid and in effect. [1957 c.316 4 (enacted in lieu of 678.020); 1973 c.584 2; 2003
c.14 431]

http://www.nond.org/npa/oregon_npa.pdf

HeyLush3 · Jul 12, 2008

In my neck of the woods, CNAs do not possess any type of licensure. They are certified, not licensed. Thus, they hold the title of certified nursing assistant.

That is how it is with my state- OR. Apparently my manager sees it all as the same.

Very frusterating!!!! :banghead:

HeyLush3 · Jul 12, 2008

This is from the Oregon Nurse Practice Act.

I tried looking up those numbers, and wasn't able to figure out what they are talking to. Could you clarify please?:nuke:

Altra, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2008

Here's a link to the section of the Oregon State Board of Nursing that deals with CNAs:

http://www.oregon.gov/OSBN/CNA_InformationPage.shtml

CNAs in Oregon are "certified" not "licensed."

The general public is, unfortunately, often unfamiliar with the term "CNA" and I'll give your office's receptionist the benefit of the doubt that that is why she hesitates to call you "the CNA." There's no excuse for your nurse manager though.

With all due respect to RNs and LPNs who do work in office settings ... many, many people who are employed in physician offices are NOT nurses but are either indirectly or directly represented as such. And it should stop.

I think it would probably cause unnecessary confusion to identify yourself as a "student nurse" at your workplace, as that is not your role there. Your role is that of an employed, paid, CNA. I very much appreciate your efforts to correctly identify yourself to patients. :flowersfo

Good luck with your studies. :)

suzanne4, RN · Jul 12, 2008

That manager is very wrong, and that is the final take on it.

CNA is not a license, it is only a certification; so that just proves what she does not know. It most definitely is not a license issued by the BON.

Please show her this thread if you need any help, she most definitely does.

What she is telling you to do is purely illegal and could get someone fined as well as the office, do not listen to what she is telling you to do. Or have her phone the BON for your state and get their take on it directly from them, that should put a stop to it immediately.