So I took my dog to the vet yesterday morning to be spayed, we (my dog and I) are called into the assessment room by this woman who introduces herself as the "RN" who will be taking care of my dog.
Ofcourse I am skeptical, I question her "You are a Registered Nurse?"
She replies, that yes she is a RN, the training is EXACTLY the same, except that it is for animals, and that she had to pass a board exam. She actually goes on about it for a couple of minutes.
At this point I am so stunned, that I decide not to say anything, as I am already in a highly irritated mood because I am sleep deprived, starving because I am fasting for blood work, and actively fighting with my insurance coverage to get any prescription filled anywhere, and I am afraid of over reacting. I make sure that I sound highly skeptical when I say "Oooookayyy"
I am usually not very political or sensitive to nursing slights. I am comfortable with who I am and happy with what I do. I laugh at slights to nurses on tv more often that not, but this just kept itching at me.
When I left they gave me a addressed envelope and a survey to fill out. I am considering using the envelope to write a letter to the vet to inform her that she has at least one tech that is calling herself a RN and that by allowing this to go on in her practice that she is opening herself up to potential liability.
I promise you that there are plenty of hard-working RNs that are concerned with title protection but aren't "offended" by the misuse of "RN" or "Nurse."
And you know, FWIW, my beef is with the whole uproar of it all. I understand being concerned about the general public's awareness, I really do. What bugs me is how some of you are so offended by this woman's actions. Offended?? Really?? Bloated ego, anyone?
And you know, FWIW, my beef is with the whole uproar of it all.
The "uproar" is called intelligent debate, freedom of speech.
What bugs me is how some of you are so offended by this woman's actions. Offended?? Really?? Bloated ego, anyone?
Not offended, no bloated ego here but I am very proud to be an RN.
RN's are very often falsely depicted by the media, we don't need the general public jumping on the wagon by getting misinformation from someone who obviously doesn't understand the harm she is doing to our profession.
I promise you that there are plenty of hard-working RNs that are concerned with title protection but aren't "offended" by the misuse of "RN" or "Nurse."
I've been a nurse for 30+ years and have yet to run into even one of nurses. Being concerned about title protections means nothing. Having an opinion, speaking openly against the misuse of RN or Nurse is not being offended it's taking a stand and in some cases taking action.
I had a policy instituted in our hospital that we cannot take phone orders from MA's, only an RN or LPN. You would not believe how many nurses thanked me for taking a stand and taking action. The doctors weren't too pleased because most of them have to call in their own orders (don't hire real nurses) but you know what, they got over it and they respect me also.
I promise you that there are plenty of hard-working RNs that are concerned with title protection but aren't "offended" by the misuse of "RN" or "Nurse."
I personally do not know of one RN or LPN who would not be more than offended about a non-nurse using the title "nurse"...you might substitute the word "outraged". This goes far beyond being offended...in many cases, it is illegal to represent oneself as a "nurse" without licensing and/or registration, a process involving careful examination of credentials of those who apply.
A physician would never tolerate someone calling themselves a doctor when they were nothing of the sort. Nurses should expect no less.
Unfortunately, "nurse" is not a protected title in all parts of the US. That is most unfortunate for the public.
As a fomer Licensed Vet tech ( which i am guessing that this "RN" was), I can tell you that the "training" ( educational requirements) is not the same-even considering a two year RN program-the level of classes required are quite different ( I actually checked this out with my local vet). While it is true that in some other countries techs USED to be called "nurses", they aren't anymore, and never were called so here in the USA. More importantly is the legal fact that this person has just decided that she is "the same" as an RN and calls herself so; I think two things with this 1) Legally, she is misrepresenting herself,
2) what kind esteem does she have that she feels the need to "upgrade" her status, as if being an AHT is low or something. Personally, speaking as both a tech and a nurse, I find this "cutsey" and irritating......I'd mention it to the Vet-
And you know, FWIW, my beef is with the whole uproar of it all. I understand being concerned about the general public's awareness, I really do. What bugs me is how some of you are so offended by this woman's actions. Offended?? Really?? Bloated ego, anyone?
Understanding the concern also means not interpreting the defence of the title as simply "bloated egos"...it goes beyond that.
I dont get bent out of shape on what people tell me..I always say to myself, "Don't beleive everything a person says to me." If I did, my life would be really bad..In any case, so what she calls herself a nurse..I think she is a nurse for dogs..I used to have a friend, he used to be a security guard and he called himself a police officer..I did not care...
Hi Bala Shark,
The OP was not upset about the designation of "nurse", but of the RN title being used. Also, as the daughter of a retired policman, the security guard = police officer is just plain wrong. OK, I'll stay on topic now. Personally, when I am speaking to someone, I prefer to know the truth.
And you know, FWIW, my beef is with the whole uproar of it all. I understand being concerned about the general public's awareness, I really do. What bugs me is how some of you are so offended by this woman's actions. Offended?? Really?? Bloated ego, anyone?
I will also be starting my junior year as a BSN student Fall of 2006. Currently, I work as a CNA in an oncology center. There is no "bloated ego" here. Trust me, if a pt. refers to me as his/her nurse, I correct them by saying, "I am your nurse's assistant tonight." Why? Not because the nurse that I'm assigned to that evening is any "better" than me as a person, but because I have not yet earned the title of nurse/RN/LVN. These past two years of aide work and knocking out prerequisite work have been tough and I know that clinicals will be tough and I will have to sacrifice to get through them; therefore, after I have earned those letters behind my name, you better believe I'll be protective of them. I certainly respect your opinion; however, if someone pulled you over while driving and falsely represented his/herself as a police officer, wouldn't you be upset? :angryfire
Personally, when I am speaking to someone, I prefer to know the truth.
OB_or_NICU_hopeful
101 Posts
I promise you that there are plenty of hard-working RNs that are concerned with title protection but aren't "offended" by the misuse of "RN" or "Nurse."