wearing nurse memorabilia before becoming a nurse?

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My stepmom is a big gifter. Lately she's taken to picking up nursing memorabilia for me. She bought me a thermos that says 'Keep Calm I'm a Nurse.' It's adorable but she wants to know why I never use it or any of the other stuff she buys. I explained to her that I'm not a nurse yet and wearing/using stuff that implies i am makes me feel fraudulent. Anyone else feel that way?

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I've gotten gifts also but didn't feel right using it either so didn't. As students we are not nurses yet (unless you are LPN), and there is no guarantee that we will even make it through school so using it is fraudulent to me. You just have to explain it like you did to family and tell them when you pass that NCLEX you will be using it.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Take a label or a sharpie...change it to "I'm almost a nurse" future nurse, student nurse, whatever :)

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It is a very nice gesture, but I too would not wear or use those items. I say put them in a box to have for when you are officially an RN :)

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Thank your Mom profusely.....and gently remind her that most states have laws protecting the title nurse and makes it a misdemeanor to misrepresent your self without licensure.

Title "Nurse" Protection

Background

Restricting use of the title "nurse" to only those individuals who have fulfilled the requirements for licensure as outlined in each state's nurse practice act is a protection for the public against unethical, unscrupulous, and incompetent practitioners. Nurse practice acts describe entry level qualifications such as education, practice standards and code of conduct for continued privilege to practice nursing. Limiting use of the title "nurse" to only those who have satisfied the licensure requirements ensures the protection the public deserves.

At least 38 states are known to have language in their Nurse Practice Act; either explicit in restricting use of the title "nurse" to only those who are licensed or implicit language restricting use of any words implying the individual is a licensed nurse.....http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/State/Legislative-Agenda-Reports/State-TitleNurse/Title-Nurse-Summary-Language.html

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That's what I did when my grandmother gifted me with an RN charm for my necklace. I didn't want to wear it before I legally gained the title. But immediately after I got confirmation that I passed NCLEX and my license was posted on the BON, I put it on and told her the great news. She wasn't offended by it-- she understood why I would want to wait. Just tell them that you're working to earn the right to wear those things. :)

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Specializes in CMSRN.
My stepmom is a big gifter. Lately she's taken to picking up nursing memorabilia for me. She bought me a thermos that says 'Keep Calm I'm a Nurse.' It's adorable but she wants to know why I never use it or any of the other stuff she buys. I explained to her that I'm not a nurse yet and wearing/using stuff that implies i am makes me feel fraudulent. Anyone else feel that way?

Just be honest with her.

I didn't get anything that said NURSE or RN before graduating and taking the NCLEX except for a mug my husband bought for me for Mother's Day (it's my profile pic). I only used it at home though and used it for motivation. You'll get there and be showing that mug off before you know it!!

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

I felt like it was disingenuous above and beyond legality issues. My program allows you to graduate 2 semesters through a 4 semester ADN program as an LPN and sit for PN boards. So then I know some girls used things that said "nurse" on them because they are, but for me it still wasn't enough. I'll just wait til December when I graduate and then pass boards to be an RN and then I'll have stuff to use :D

I've just told people it's bad ju-ju to give me anything nurse on it before I'm official ;)

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melizerd, I totally think it's bad ju-ju also! Didn't even realize the legal aspects of it. I just feel like i'd be jinxing myself if I wore/used anything with nurse on it before passing the boards.

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I don't think there's anything wrong with that fraudulent feeling. Heck, I'm even reluctant to buy my scrubs, shoes, and stethescope before I'm actually enrolled for classes.

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Omg I was just thinking something similar the other day. My teacher has this cute nurse bag and I want one so bad however, I am not buying and or wearing any "nursing" materials until I pass my boards because I would feel like a fraud and fake.

Just kindly tell your mom/stepmother how you feel I am pretty sure she will understand.

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I wouldn't want other people to know that I am a paramedic outside of work or a call and when I am a nurse, I won't want them to know either. As nice as it is, you really don't want people to expect medical advice from you. If strangers sniff a nurse out a mile away, they will want you to look at every cut, bruise, bump, etc. They will want you to know what you think of their lady partsl discharge or if you think they should get their headache checked out.

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