Ultrasound Tech Telling Patients She is a Nurse

[BrewerLPN]

I work with an ultrasound tech that tells patients and other doctors that she is Dr. So and so's nurse. She functions as his nurse, but she isn't a nurse. I am the only nurse working in the office. I do not want our practice shut down because of her actions. Am I overreacting? Can I be held responsible for her actions?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

What duties is she performing that you feel are out of her scope? What specialty does the doctor practice?

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

What duties is she performing that you feel are out of her scope? What specialty does the doctor practice?

Doesn't matter. She is not a licensed as a nurse therefore she legally can't call herself a nurse. You are not responsible for her actions and can't be held liable. She doesn't work under you license - but does the Dr.

I would try telling her in a nice way that only LPN's & RN's can use the title of a nurse and she could get herself in trouble by doing that. If that doesn't shut her up - remind the Dr of this.

[BrewerLPN]

We are a vascular practice. We do in office procedures like ultrasound guided sclero, sclero, endovenous laser ablations, phlebectomy... She does everything a nurse would do plus her duties as a sonographer.

[DoGoodThenGo]

We are a vascular practice. We do in office procedures like ultrasound guided sclero, sclero, endovenous laser ablations, phlebectomy... She does everything a nurse would do plus her duties as a sonographer.

Sadly UAPs acting out of their scope of practice is becoming more and more common. A family member (phlebotomist) proudly states she does "everything the nurses do" in the Dr's practice office and apparently the MDs are aware of this and may even be behind it.

While one can understand not wishing to have your place of employment shut down, you could be exposing yourself to more problems if something goes wrong and everyone with a license (including *you*) catches a case.

I'd sit the tech down and explain to her/him that "nurse" is a protected title to which she has no right to use in the context of direct patient care. If a few quiet words do not put a stop to the maddness, then you may have to consider a complaint to your state's BON. As for her duties that is a matter to be taken up with your employers. They need to be made aware (if they weren't already) of the violations and their repercussions not just in legal terms but patient care as well.

Rocking the boat is never an easy decision to make. Good luck!

[BrewerLPN]

She has multiple credentials and should know better than to call herself a nurse. I spoke with one of the doctors today and he said he would mention it to our other doctor. I have avoided talking to her directly because of her attitude and also because I have tried to give her the benefit of the doubt thinking maybe she wouldn't continue doing it. No such luck tho..

[minnymi]

Nothing will come of it. Unless she is using a fake license or at least signing documents with "RN" then nobody is going to care if she says she's a "nurse".

If not having a license meant that people couldn't use the title of "nurse" (as opposed to "registered nurse") then I'm pretty sure every facility in the world would be shut down considering there is SOMEONE in every office/hospital/ltc facility saying they are a "nurse."

I mentioned this in another thread, but the same thing goes for teachers. You have to be tested and get LICENSED and listed on the department of education website (just like the BON site) if you are a true, bonafide teacher. Yet, every daycare facility in the world has employees calling themselves "teachers" instead of what they are...which is childcare providers. I'd be willing to bet money that tons of people reading this board call or have called their daycare provider a teacher without thinking anything of it.

Nobody cares. Nobody except those of us who worked to get our nursing license or teaching license....or pet grooming license for that matter.

Just a thought....are you positive that she's not a nurse? I mean, just because she's an ultrasound tech doesn't necessarily mean she can't be a nurse. I know an x-ray tech (who got a bachelor's degree to do that) who is also a RN bc she went back to school. I know lots of respiratory therapists who are also RNs. I could see a scenario where an X-ray tech took a job under that title, but was also truly a RN. It does happen.

[minnymi]

She has multiple credentials and should know better than to call herself a nurse. I spoke with one of the doctors today and he said he would mention it to our other doctor. I have avoided talking to her directly because of her attitude and also because I have tried to give her the benefit of the doubt thinking maybe she wouldn't continue doing it. No such luck tho..

what are her multiple credentials that you're aware of?

[BrewerLPN]

She is not a RN or LPN.

[BrewerLPN]

RDMS, RVT, RDCS, BA(healthcare management)

[caliotter3]

Once knew a UAP who told anybody and everybody that she was better than a nurse. Also referred to herself as a nurse, but went back and forth between her assertions, depending upon the situation and what she felt she needed to say to let it be known that she "did it all" and did it better than any "real" nurse. Nurses reported to her she was so good. And yes, nobody cares.

[minnymi]

So, she's a registered vascular tech, registered sonographer in multiple capacities, and has a bachelor's degree in healthcare.

Hmm. That changes my opinion a little.

She probably says she's a "nurse" because it's much easier than explaining to everyone all her titles.

It would be different if she was a CNA or Ms. Joe Blow who had just passed the GED exam. But she's very educated it sounds like and functions in multiple capacities including (as you said) all the skills/tasks of a nurse.

In this case....I think it's just a matter of semantics vs. wanting respect for education she doesn't have.