Ultrasound Tech Telling Patients She is a Nurse

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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?

"hey, I'm sue the doctors nurse",

you reply: "Sue isn't just acting as the doctors assistant, she holds a degree in ......... ", then I'd wink at her and tell her to be proud of her credentials.

this might work in a situation where it was a CNA calling themselves a nurse and a RN was correcting them.

but i would worry in this particular case if the OP who is a LPN took that approach the backlash might be:

"yeah, i actually went to school for 5,6,7 years....our nurses just go for one year, but i just say nurse instead of explaining"

then we'd have the whole, "i have this lady i work with who is certified in everything and tells everyone about it blah blah" that i mentioned would be the complaint if it weren't this one.

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I disagree that "this" one should just be overlooked and ignored. She isn't a nurse. Again...she isn't a nurse. Why doesn't just call herself the "physician's assistant"? She assists him with everything. But...she isn't that either! She is a tech. I don't care how educated she is. She didn't go to school to be a nurse, therefore...she isn't. What is it with "oh, this tech can call herself a nurse, but this person can't cause I don't think they took enough college to equal what I had to take."??? The patient has the RIGHT to know who is taking care of them. If she has so many duties that she has a hard time sucking in enough oxygen to correctly inform the patient what her legal title REALLY IS, then she needs to just shorten it to Ultrasound Tech. I think 99% of patients would understand exactly what she does.

As far as "teachers", no, I never did think about the daycares that have staff calling themselves teachers. I can see how someone might be confused with their credentials. I didn't think that the title "teacher" was protected by law. Since I was a little girl going to church, I always refered to my Sunday School teacher as teacher. What should they be called?

As long as the public thinks they are being cared for by a college degreed, textbook studying, care plan making nurse...the doctors will continue to get away with fooling the public while pocketing the change at our expense.

Remember...United we stand...Divided we fall. MinnieMi...are you nurse?

the word "nurse" isn't protected. it's "registered nurse" and the woman isn't using that. i assume "licensed teacher" is probably protected too, but not merely "teacher." that's why anyone on the planet who has taught someone to tie their shoe can call themselves a teacher...and anyone who has put a band aid on a child can call themselves a nurse...

and as long as it's causing no harm, no records are being falsified, or no money swindled....then nobody cares.

yes, i am a nurse....and a teacher.

oh, wait...i'm a registered nurse and licensed teacher.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.
the word "nurse" isn't protected. it's "registered nurse" and the woman isn't using that.

In 34 states, the term "nurse" is a protected title. Not just "registered nurse" or "licensed practical nurse" but "nurse". If the Ultrasound tech is practicing in one of those states, she is violating the law. If she is practicing in one of the other 16 states, she is still, IMO, misleading patients, though in those other states she may not actually be violating the law.

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I did not mean to cause an uproar I just want the opinion of other nurses... Thank you all for your input!

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I had no idea that simply telling a pt you're a "nurse", when you're not, could be against the law. I could understand if the "nurse" was dispensing meds, giving injections, starting IVs, irrigating foleys.... But just to assume a title?

Well, I guess you DO learn something new everyday.

My first instinct was, Who cares? It does not diminish me or what I do. I don't feel threatened. Pretending to be something she's not, in order to gain stature, is really kind of sad. As if what you REALLY are is not good enough.

Kind of sad and harmless.

Then I read all the posts. It's not often:), but I think I've been persuaded my view is wrong. I will bow to those of you who are outraged and angry.

We have a PA that makes rounds at our hospital. He goes by Dr Greg to his older pts. Not because he wants to be an MD, but because it simplifies his role to older people who may be a little confused.

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Pretending to be something she's not, in order to gain stature, is really kind of sad. As if what you REALLY are is not good enough.

that is NOT what she is doing. why would someone with all the education and certifications she has need to "gain stature."

:banghead:

what's the difference in this woman going by "nurse" and Dr. Greg who isn't a doctor going by doctor?

:uhoh3:

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.
that is NOT what she is doing. why would someone with all the education and certifications she has need to "gain stature."

:banghead:

what's the difference in this woman going by "nurse" and Dr. Greg who isn't a doctor going by doctor?

:uhoh3:

Your post sounds mad, and I'm not exactly sure why. (The red face hitting a brick wall is kind of an indicator)

I used the Dr Greg example to indicate why I considered the whole thing harmless. I don't see a difference either.

But the fact is, there is a law that says it's illegal to use the title nurse when you're not.

If the tech is not trying to gain stature, why assume another title?

"Dr Greg" does it to simplify his position for confused pts.

Why do you think the tech does it?

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Your post sounds mad, and I'm not exactly sure why. (The red face hitting a brick wall is kind of an indicator)

I used the Dr Greg example to indicate why I considered the whole thing harmless. I don't see a difference either.

But the fact is, there is a law that says it's illegal to use the title nurse when you're not.

If the tech is not trying to gain stature, why assume another title?

"Dr Greg" does it to simplify his position for confused pts.

Why do you think the tech does it?

you said you had read all the posts.

if that were the case, you would know that she doesn't need to gain stature. hence, the :banghead:

i've said why i think this highly educated, multiple credentialed individual uses the term "nurse."

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

Ok. Isn't it great we can agree to disagree?

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everyone may not agree with me, but at least my stance is clear.

not, "oh it's harmless...look at dr. greg who isn't a doctor who does it," but "nurse is a protected title...and why would she use it other than to gain stature" (even though she's way more educated than any LPN and most RNs).

:banghead:

it's just annoying at this point. done!

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everyone may not agree with me, but at least my stance is clear. not, "oh it's harmless...look at dr. greg who isn't a doctor who does it," but "nurse is a protected title...and why would she use it other than to gain stature" (even though she's way more educated than any LPN and most RNs). :banghead: it's just annoying at this point. done!
Yes she has more education than I do, but she is educated in sonography. Taking a jab at my education was not called for! I asked opinions and yours seems to be an angry one... Granted I asked and you are free to comment. I'm sure the fact that I am an LPN and not an RN factors into your opinion on this subject. In the state of MS anyone can be trained to do ultrasounds.. I suppose a doctor could train anyone he/she wants to function as a nurse, but calling yourself a nurse or anything else for that matter when you arent is fraudulent. I'm not going to report her or anything of that nature I just wanted opinions from nurses on how they would react or if it would even bother them. If a nurse is of lowering standing than her credentials then it seems to me she would tell patients she is a sonographer, ultrasound tech, or a registered vascular technologist. She has plenty of time to answer any questions or concerns the patient may have about her role. It does appear we won't agree on this and that's fine. Thanks again for sharing your opinion.
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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

She's not more educated she is differently educated. Calling oneself Doctor when you are not for the purpose of misleading the patient is illegal. So is calling oneself "Nurse" when you are not is illegal....in 37 states.

OP...go to your MD's and let them know the lagalities of the situation. Call the nursing board if you require more clairifcation as the laws vary greatly state to state.

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