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

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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.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

They HAVE to say "I'm an LPN" they cannot say "I'm a nurse". ONLY RN's can call themselves a nurse as a stand alone term.

What about LPN/LVN?
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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Yes, there is the graduate nurse position. And those people must call themselves that, a GRADUATE NURSE. They cannot call themselves a nurse as a stand alone title until they have passed the NCLEX-RN

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!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
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.

They are student nurses (depending or the state) and can call themselves such. However, I would advise caution, lest they accidentally or intentionally mislead others into thinking they are licensed.

Also, if this is a RN program and your classmates happen to be LVNs/LPNs, they ARE in fact already nurses (apparently unless they live in Wisconsin). But again, caution should be used so they aren't misleading others into thinking they're registered​ nurses.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
They HAVE to say "I'm an LPN" they cannot say "I'm a nurse". ONLY RN's can call themselves a nurse as a stand alone term.

Wow, that's harsh on the state's part.

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License Practical Nurse = Nurse. I know RN's who refer to LPN as the nurse on your side. I have never heard a LPN say I'm your LPN today. They say I'm your Nurse today.

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What about LPN/LVN?

To be honest, I have a hard time believing any state would not allow a practical nurse to refer to herself/himself as a nurse. Could you post the law for this state?

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I read the Wisconsin LPN scope of practice and some general questions about RNs and LPNs on their website and it does not say LPNs cannot refer to themselves as nurses.

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I think it's semantics.

I also think semantics are important.

It is a bit like the "doctor" debate. Of course you can get a doctorate in anything, and have the right to use the title. But, if you use the title in the health care field, it's important you do so in a way that people understand you are not a physician. This takes nothing away from the hard work you put into your exercise kinesiologist doctorate.

In 2014 there were nearly 30,000 people who graduated nursing school who subsequently failed their NCLEX. These people were not qualified to be nurses. The fact that in some areas they were entitled to use the title for a short bit does not alter their qualifications.Yes, for the short period between graduation and failing, they have been technically entitled to the title, but unqualified nonetheless.

Those people should not be confused with qualified nurses in a health care setting.

Let's say you go to a law office, and the person helping you has graduated law school, and is on the way to failing his boards. Would you want that person to identify himself to you as a "lawyer"? What if you found out that technically he was entitled to the title until he failed his boards. Would that help?

Personally, if you call yourself a lawyer, I expect that you have passed your boards, and are licensed to practice law.

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did anyone else notice the irony of this post?

The title of this thread refers to the new grad as a nurse, whilst simultaneously saying that grad shouldnt be referring their self as a nurse

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

I also thanked the ones who posted helping me to understand, and to correct my understanding. Most posts, but elijahvirgo where helpful.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Ha--the whole darn state is a harsh place!!! Watch out during the next elections, guys!!

Wow, that's harsh on the state's part.
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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I've read it elsewhere that says LPN's cannot refer to themselves as a stand alone nurse. Trust me, I LIVE her and was educated here, while, forgive me if I'm wrong, it seems you do not. I will try to find the literature on it. I know other nurses here have read it as well.

I'm not saying I agree with it, at all. Just pointing out that there are semantics involved in many aspects in this great career of ours!

I read the Wisconsin LPN scope of practice and some general questions about RNs and LPNs on their website and it does not say LPNs cannot refer to themselves as nurses.
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