Thoughts on nurses who graduate nursing school calling themselves nurses before the NCLEX

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 9, 2015

Thank you everyone for the clarification.

You are very welcome. I enjoy presenting another side of the situation and/or clarifying a point that another individual may have overlooked. It's how we learn and grow as humans.

Purple_roses · May 9, 2015

Technically I think they may refer to themselves as Graduate Nurses.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · May 9, 2015

I graduated yesterday, and my whole family is referring to me as a nurse. I have corrected them many times, but now I'm just not gonna worry about it. I (and many others in my class) did decorate my cap with a glittery RN though....... but I know better than to officially say I am an RN until after boards. I have an Associates in Applied Science with a major in nursing. That's about it for now. Til NCLEX.

technofreak · May 9, 2015

Good day:
May I have a reality check? A fellow nursing student friend of mine just graduated for which I and many others are happy for this person. They started sharing to family and friends, "I am now a nurse."
Am I being too harsh to think / state that's the title of nurse is reserved for when one passes their boards and obtains their license?
Thank you.

I say there are bigger things to worry about in life. It's beautiful outside in most places, start enjoying the weather and stop worrying about what other people are doing or saying, especially when it doesn't affect you.

sjalv · May 10, 2015

I just graduated RN school too but I refer to myself as a 'student nurse graduate'. I feel this is the appropriate title. During our pinning speech, the student giving it said something along the lines of.. "And finally, we are registered nurses." It was all I could do to maintain a neutral facial expression as I was in the front row on the stage. One is not an RN until they pass the NCLEX, which none of us have attempted/done.

blah_blah_blah · May 10, 2015

she is a NURSE just not a REGISTERED nurse I suppose. That does kind of irk me when people misrepresent themselves though. This may sound petty but this girl I went to CC with and that I follow on instagram put "nurse" in her username and put that she was an RN in her bio.. I thought she passed her boards and I was like "good for her!" then she posted a picture that came up on my feed of her studying for the NCLEX. It's none of my business but it was annoying, haha

sjalv · May 10, 2015

she is a NURSE just not a REGISTERED nurse I suppose. That does kind of irk me when people misrepresent themselves though. This may sound petty but this girl I went to CC with and that I follow on instagram put "nurse" in her username and put that she was an RN in her bio.. I thought she passed her boards and I was like "good for her!" then she posted a picture that came up on my feed of her studying for the NCLEX. It's none of my business but it was annoying, haha

I don't think she can even call herself a 'nurse'. 'Nurse' is short for either 'licensed practical nurse' or 'registered nurse', neither of which one can be without having first taken a licensing examination (NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN).

CowboyMedic, DNP, APRN, CRNA · May 10, 2015

I see where everyone is coming from. We were or, depending on if your still in school, student nurses. Then we become graduate nurses when we finally pass all of our school work and get our diploma. I personally will not refer to myself as a nurse until I pass NCLEX. My family and friends call me nurse too. Until NCLEX I'm still a Nationally Registered Paramedic. After NCLEX I will be RN, NRP.

MyPrnPleaseBSN · May 10, 2015

If the person has finished all the requirements of nursing school and has indeed graduated, she can definitely call herself a "NURSE" or a "graduate nurse".

Referring herself as "REGISTERED or a PRACTICING NURSE" however before passing the NCLEX, is totally different and against the law.

Let her shine, be happy for her!

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · May 10, 2015

Unless you reside in the great state of Wisconsin. Here ONLY an RN can call themselves a nurse...

Not necessarily. I'm excited to call myself a nurse in 5 days because I'll be starting out as a graduate nurse at a hospital. Of course I would never call myself an RN until I pass my nclex, but I will indeed be a nurse.

CaringGerinurse525 · May 10, 2015

Unless you reside in the great state of Wisconsin. Here ONLY an RN can call themselves a nurse...

What about LPN/LVN?

AxOxCrazy · May 10, 2015

Unless you reside in the great state of Wisconsin. Here ONLY an RN can call themselves a nurse...

Well I am very fortunate to not live there. I have my badge for work that says my name,GN and the words NURSE big under it. I'll be completely my 12 week orientation, working as a nurse under a preceptor. I have 45 days to take my nclex and then my badge changes to my name,RN.

Does your state not do graduate nurse positions? I feel very fortunate that Michigan does. I need the nurse wages stat!