Using RN after your name in a different state.

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When you are not practicing as an RN in the state (example California) Is it acceptable to put RN after your name if your RN license is in another state (example New York) and still in the process of getting reciprocated?

2 minutes ago, caliotter3 said:

This common sense question caused me to remember a coworker in a LTC facility who stated she was a "doctor" in her home country.  Then why was she working as a CNA in the US and not putting the initials "MD" after her name?  I guess she was not proud of being an MD.  Just as valid an example.

I think country is too far...  But I think if she is vice Pres of the western region even without a license in California she should be able to. Since she is license in one of the states she covers.

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The down and dirty is it depends specifically on her duties as per her job description.  This would make a difference if she were to walk into a unit in an acute care hospital, take report on a patient, and then attempt to walk into that patient's room to administer their 11 am meds, BUT SHE IS NOT LICENSED in that state.  She can't practice nursing there and can't do that.

If all she is doing is pushing papers around on a desk, fielding phone calls, managing site-wide meetings, making appearances at company photo ops as a rep of the company, well?  Her "RN" somewhere on her name tag is not going to impact a patient in that state, so nobody is going to demand that she trade in her name tag and signature block for her generic name tag and "RN"-less signature block.

The company Director of Clinical Operations of my nationwide home health company signs "RN" after her name in the emails she sends out.  She is not trying to practice nursing in my state, so no harm, no foul.

Don't let your friend read too much into this stuff.  She could get a headache.

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The general rule: Outside of work, you limit it to only your education level (ADN/BSN/MSN/DNP/PhD/Dr).  You should ONLY use your job title AT WORK, when you're working AS THAT TITLE (CNA/LPN/RN/MD/DO/DDS).

In most states, you can't put RN after your name unless you're filling the RN ROLE.  You can call yourself an RN as long as you're licensed anywhere, but you can't practice unless you're licensed in that state and on the clock at your job where you're working as an RN since you have to work under supervision, and with that comes calling yourself a nurse.  Basically, I can tell any patient in the country that I'm a nurse as long as it's clear that I'm not providing care, and it's only in context of conversation like "What do you do for a living?"  But I can't just randomly tell a patient that I'm a nurse, because then it's expected that I'm able to care for them.  It's a really fine line between when and how you can use the RN title and when you can't.  That's why, professionally, leave your job titles at your job.  If you want to be proud of being a nurse, put your degree level after your name.  Or in situations like this board where it's more of an identifier than a role.

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Lets look at it this way.  Doctors are not licensed in all states, yet they call themselves MD and I have seen Docs being addressed as Dr.  when not in a state they are licensed in.  She is an RN in a state and she has the rights of using that title in another state,  I would assume she is not practicing yet as an RN in the new state, but she still is an RN.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
2 hours ago, Kyrshamarks said:

Lets look at it this way.  Doctors are not licensed in all states, yet they call themselves MD and I have seen Docs being addressed as Dr.  when not in a state they are licensed in.  

That's because "Dr" and "MD" is an educational title that doesn't change based on what state they are in. Not the same for "RN." If you don't have a valid nursing license in that state, then you are not an RN in that state.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
On 9/21/2020 at 12:43 PM, chare said:

In my opinion, if you are representing yourself as an RN outside of the state(s) in which you are licensed it is deceptive at a minimum.  And, it might be illegal as well, although this is a question best answered by a lawyer.

^^^THIS^^^

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On 9/21/2020 at 11:25 AM, emipn said:

When you are not practicing as an RN in the state (example California) Is it acceptable to put RN after your name if your RN license is in another state (example New York) and still in the process of getting reciprocated?

I suspect context is everything.

If somebody could reasonably assume that you are registered to practice where you are not, that would be a problem.  From the OP, I suspect that is the case.

OTOH- let's say I am writing a recommendation for a nursing school applicant.  I would use RN after my name regardless of what state the school is in, and regardless of what state I am in when I am writing the letter.

 

 

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We are, factually, registered nurses regardless of where we are physically located as long as we have passed NCLEX and maintained active licenses.  You have the right to refer to yourself as such when it is an accurate and current credential.  If my family travels to Hawaii, I am still, legally, an RN while in Hawaii- just not an RN who can PRACTICE in Hawaii.

Would I list it after my name on a CA business card if I was seeking nursing-related business in CA and wasn't licensed there?  No, I feel that's intentionally misleading.  I think this is the work around for including it on a CA business card:

Jane Smith, MSN

Registered Nurse (New York)

It clearly identifies that the person is a registered nurse AND where they are licensed to practice. Better to be safe!

 

 

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26 minutes ago, Closed Account 12345 said:

We are, factually, registered nurses regardless of where we are physically located as long as we have passed NCLEX and maintained active licenses.  You have the right to refer to yourself as such when it is an accurate and current credential.  If my family travels to Hawaii, I am still, legally, an RN while in Hawaii- just not an RN who can PRACTICE in Hawaii.

Would I list it after my name on a CA business card if I was seeking nursing-related business in CA and wasn't licensed there?  No, I feel that's intentionally misleading.  I think this is the work around for including it on a CA business card:

Jane Smith, MSN

Registered Nurse (New York)

It clearly identifies that the person is a registered nurse AND where they are licensed to practice. Better to be safe!

 

 

In some states, it is illegal to use the title registered nurse if you don't hold licensure in that state. If you are wanting to use it on a business card, something tells me that it's a nursing related reason (business or self promotion). CA is notoriously slow on issuing licenses. By endorsement, there have been many complaints, as they add hoops to jump through, but don't tell you until you've waited a long period of time (I've seen 4-6 months listed on AN, 6 months or longer on a FB nursing group), and call to find out where your license is in the process, only to find out that your licensed was kicked out, due to missing a hoop, months ago and you were never notified. You have to start the process over, and hope you get it right.

I wouldn’t go to another state and use a licensure status that I don't have. It could land you in hot water. Review the state's nurse practice act prior to cover yourself

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Your license is pending by reciprocity, most states will allow you to work during this process. But are you working in a healthcare facility? I never sign my name with RN unless I am at work in a healthcare facility. 

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