Using BSN when you have not earned it

JDPBSN · Mar 31, 2011

This is misrepresentation to the community. I am not sure the legal standing on this, but like it was stated in a previous post—if the granting institution were to find out, the would be some ramification.

On CV’s you can write for exp. BSN ©, C for candidate, but this is not appropriate for clinical setting identification.

This is like a foreign trained physician using the MD, when been granted a BMSc or a dentist using DDS/ DMD, but earned a BDSc. True, they are both dentists and physicians, but different levels of education alike the nurse. Ethically wrong…

backatit2 · Mar 31, 2011

okay, i don't think it's right, but if i had to guess i would say that they put it on the badge because this person is so close to finishing there's no sense in making another one a few months from now. that makes sense.

BUT if i were this person's manager, i would have them cover up the BSN part with a strip of "tape" from a label maker until they actually received it just to save them from co-worker wrath if nothing else.

seriously, don't worry about it.

Chin up · Mar 31, 2011

Our manager knows. This person is working on the degree and has just a few credits to earn. But, to actually use the letters after their name is just wrong.

In this case, it may not be wrong. I remember a similar situation at our hospital, this was like 1988. Anyway, the nurses were in a tizzy because one said, she is still in school taking classes and thus can't use the title, BSN. At that time only a few were BSN's, most were diploma RN'S. I believe the school was Boston university and even though a few credits shy, had let this nurses graduate with her class. Most people shut up once that was confirmed by management. Some of course never let it go. She eventually became the floor nurse manager and then all shut up.

This could be a similar case, but since we don't know, leave it alone. We don't always know what we think we do. Peace!

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 31, 2011

Well, it sounds like a fault of the facility. Every facility and organization I worked have for has required that I produce a document proving my credentials BEFORE receiving an ID tag that displays my credentials. I agree with the others that this is a tacky move by your co-worker, however, this is not your concern. Your facility needs to be concerned that anyone can easily have his/her name tag read something that is untrue.

Batman25 · Mar 31, 2011

This is a case where I'd just mind my own business and not give it another thought. Your employer knows and is allowing it. My guess is it is because they are so close to graduating they are being given a pass. Personally I wouldn't allow it.

Emergency RN · Mar 31, 2011

It is considered a violation by just about all Boards of Nursing, as it is profession misconduct to knowingly misrepresent oneself, or of one's credentials. It doesn't matter if one is in the process of obtaining them and just waiting for the paperwork to go through; if one has not yet officially obtained that level of education as the degree has not yet been granted, then one cannot reflect that degree in their title or signature.

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2011

Im a BSN nurse and I'm just trying to think of how they are using this title???? is it on their name tag, are they signing it that way???? (I never do_) just curious but while its a little pathetic i certainly would not get worked up over it.

Moogie · Mar 31, 2011

Sorry, but it says a great deal about the character of an individual who uses a credential he/she has not rightfully earned. Sure, the nurse is just a few credits shy of a BSN, but until she graduates, she does not have the right to use the credentials BSN. Even if she has one credit left, one day left before she graduates, she should not use those credentials.

I do understand why folks might say to keep out of this and I would agree. Still, it would lead me to really question the integrity of this person as well as the common sense of the manager who is condoning it. :icon_roll

DedHedRN · Mar 31, 2011

Har har, I saw a girl who graduated from a ADN program the semester before me putting "BSN in nursing", on her facebook profile. She was having a hard time getting a job, so she enrolled in a online BSN program and played it off like she had one, it helped her get a job at least. She was always shady anyways, she would give out the answers to tests to the students she tutored. Word for word. Nope, I never liked her much.

backatit2 · Mar 31, 2011

so many people lie about their credentials i think especially in nursing and teaching. maybe it happens in other fields, but i've noticed it so much in these two bc that is where i have experience. i've known so many daycare workers to pass themselves off as "teachers" and so many CNA's (or their family members) claim they are nurses.

there was even a big uproar by daycare providers about not getting a "teacher discount" at craft stores. umm, they aren't teachers! that's why!

there's nothing wrong with being a daycare provider and there's nothing wrong with being a CNA (or a RN with an associate's degree) but be proud of what YOU are. when you lie about your credentials, it speaks volumes about what kind of person you are AND what your aspirations really are.

sportsmom84 · Mar 31, 2011

Thanks for all your replies. I am staying out of it. I was just curious of others opinions and how often this occurs. I know the facts in this case because I attended school with this individual and while I was taking summer courses to graduate on time this person did not. This person just recently received a position that requires a BSN. Most staff have no problem with them getting the position since they are so close to obtaining their BSN. The problem is representing themself as a BSN when they are really not. It is not the institution that has identified them as a BSN. It is the individual themselves by signing e-mails, etc with BSN following their name. It does speak loads of what kind of person they are and what kind of managment we have for our department though.

usalsfyre · Mar 31, 2011

The real solution? If facilities would stop letting people list useless deritus after their job on namebadges.