8 Weeks of training does NOT make you a nurse!!

[kukukajoo]

I have seen this covered on here long ago and now it has happened to me and I know EXACTLY how much it can bother people!!

I ran into an ex-coworker who left to do the LNA program. Evidently she is all done now despite only leaving in late Oct. The program was 6 or 8 weeks. She has not even taken the state test yet.

So new years, we are at this party together (at our former boss/friends house) and she tells me and others there a BUNCH OF LIES! She says she is a NURSE now! Imagine that! THEN she even lied about where she was attending which I totally do not understand!

I let her lies and stories of being a NURSE go, as well as her fake job offers, I did not say anything, I just walked away when she got really deep into it, as did several others who knew the truth and also knew how very, very hard I have worked to get where I am which is graduating with my RN in May! THEY were all shocked I did not lay into her butt and set her straight! Not like I go around claiming to be a NP or anything I am not. I have spent the last 3 years working my little butt off and sacrificing a lot of things to be here. Something this woman has no idea about. Funny, it wasnt hard to keep my mouth shut and smile! I must finally be maturing, lol!

I kind of felt bad for her- because she had to lie to make herself feel better and appear something she is not in front of people and then to be lying so blatantly in front of so many who knew it, which means she is not comfortable or happy where she is in life, and also because after that she had a miserable time the rest of the night because many ppl knew she was lying and avoided her and were whispering about it once she left the room and caught that at least once. It was kind of sad really. I bet she feels pretty awful inside. If she had continued later on, or something, I was prepared to mention it is illegal in this state to claim you are a nurse when you are not!

Anyhow, NOW I really know how you all have felt in the same kind of situations!

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

I can totally understand the OP's frustration and all other posters. It would bother me too.

My confusion is that you referred to her as a friend and even mentioned if the possibility arose you might have said something. You certainly were aware of all the gossip going on behind her back and or when she left the room. I would have confidentially confronted her, I'm sure she felt abandoned.

It is sad that low self esteem or whatever brings someone to this point, IMO laughing at her behind her back isn't right either.

[aparsonsmomof3]

I can totally understand the OP's frustration and all other posters. It would bother me too.

My confusion is that you referred to her as a friend and even mentioned if the possibility arose you might have said something. You certainly were aware of all the gossip going on behind her back and or when she left the room. I would have confidentially confronted her, I'm sure she felt abandoned.

It is sad that low self esteem or whatever brings someone to this point, IMO laughing at her behind her back isn't right either.

I think you hit the nail on the head. People that say they are something they are not are wrong...but letting this person continue to dig themselves even deeper and allowing others to laugh at them is also wrong. Isn't part of being a nurse caring for everyone...not just your patients? If this person was truly your friend, wouldn't the appropriate thing to do is pull her aside and quietly tell her that she shouldn't be saying these things then give her the reasons why?

I don't doubt that your frustration level was high...but there are professional people that have to hold themselves to a higher moral authority and nurses are one of them. By allowing other people to talk about this person and laugh at her load of BS, you lowered your own morality. If a person is your friend, you always stand up for them in front of others, period.

Was she wrong for saying that she was a nurse? Yes. But you were just as wrong for allowing her to continue to say it and then be publicly humiliated because of it.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Part of why I think people do this is because the people in the positions higher than they are make them feel that they did not accomplish much. I remember when I completed my LPN course, before I even took the exam, people were saying to me "When will you start RN school, or why sell yourself short, that's ALL", or many other things. If I were a weaker person, I would have succumbed to this and told tall tales about when I will become an RN, or whatever else. What people fail to realize is that happiness and confidence does not come from a degree or stature in life, it comes from within.

This person has failed to realize is that she will feel this way no matter how far she goes unless she works on her own insecurities and confidence building. And, sadly, this does make her look stupid. Tall tales usually do. It is annoying when someone blatently lies about things, because it insults our intelligence, and can mislead people into thinking that it is easy to accomplish becoming a nurse (or whatever else), and it is not. I feel sorry for this woman.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I think you hit the nail on the head. People that say they are something they are not are wrong...but letting this person continue to dig themselves even deeper and allowing others to laugh at them is also wrong. Isn't part of being a nurse caring for everyone...not just your patients? If this person was truly your friend, wouldn't the appropriate thing to do is pull her aside and quietly tell her that she shouldn't be saying these things then give her the reasons why?

I don't doubt that your frustration level was high...but there are professional people that have to hold themselves to a higher moral authority and nurses are one of them. By allowing other people to talk about this person and laugh at her load of BS, you lowered your own morality. If a person is your friend, you always stand up for them in front of others, period.

Was she wrong for saying that she was a nurse? Yes. But you were just as wrong for allowing her to continue to say it and then be publicly humiliated because of it.

Sometimes, no matter what you do, a person does not stop their behavior. This is not to say that the OP should not have spoken to this person. She may have on other occasions about other situations where she saw that this person will continue on their path of destruction. We can't save everyone, and we can't always feel obligated to hold on to act on being a nurse 24 hours a day; even though that is what we signed up for.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

LNA? Cannot imagine a PCT, CNA or MA having a license? Sounds like a made up degree to me. An LPN wannabe? Scary scary stuff.

Someday, I pray our legislators will wake up and correct this problem.

If the president has to deal with a nurse wannabe someday perhaps something would be done.

We as a group cannot get anything done. We could try but as long as doctors are too cheap to have at least one licensed person in their office I don't believe we would be successful.

I would want to ask this LNA what their hourly salary is?

[aparsonsmomof3]

Sometimes, no matter what you do, a person does not stop their behavior. This is not to say that the OP should not have spoken to this person. She may have on other occasions about other situations where she saw that this person will continue on their path of destruction. We can't save everyone, and we can't always feel obligated to hold on to act on being a nurse 24 hours a day; even though that is what we signed up for.

You are right...sometimes no matter what you do, people will continue with their bahavior. However, you shouldn't call this person a "friend" if you are not going to defend them in front of others. Maybe it was just a wrong choice of a word to explain their relationship? That was the point I was trying to make.

I think we may all have our moments where we are at our worst. We are human after all...but we do have to try our very best to hold onto our moral standard twenty four hours a day. People expect us to save their lives or care for them when they are sick...they shouldn't have to question our moral character.

[luvmy3kids]

I remember at my wedding one of my bridesmaids told my dad's boss (of all people) that she was graduating at the end of the month with a Psych degree. She had dropped out of college her freshman year and was going to school for dental assisting.

I don't know why she said it, but I have a hunch it was because of low self esteem. I also don't know why she didn't think people would know any better. My wedding wasn't that big.... LOL.

It's sad really as the job she had was a very good one. I don't understand why people can't be proud of who they are, no matter what that may be??

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

wow. i'm speechless!!!!

[Batman24]

My friend's sister is claiming to be a nurse. I'm in the middle of pre-reqs and entrance tests and POOF!! she's a nurse. She is so ill informed that the initials she is using to identify herself is that of a Nurse Practioner. My friend who is an RN (she didn't realize she was lying) innocently asked her about her boards, etc. and her reply was, "Oh, I can do all that nursing stuff." Whatever.

[aparsonsmomof3]

CNA, LVN, RN, there is no shame in any of these titles!! They all work at different levels to provide patient care...I am just a lowly student nurse, but I am itching for my first semester to be over so I can become a CNA and then a LVN after my second semester and on to the oh so anticipated title of RN!! CNA's work there fingers to the bone and they should hold there heads up high!! Don't call yourself a nurse if you aren't...but prouldly call yourself a CNA if you are. I appreciate them all...Heaven knows all three of these have made my stints in hospitals a little easier to handle...I just couldn't imagine trying to make it to the bathroom ofter my surgery without the help of a wonderful CNA.

Unfortunately, some people do have issues with there job title and need to spice things up a bit to make themselves look more important than they think they are (notice I said "they think they are"). Even a grave digger has an important function in our world...Kuddos to all of the hard working people that make my life easier.

[kukukajoo, LPN]

Interesting side note--- the RN program you are in (or just maturity in general) has changed the way you respond in situations of stress. Sounds like you are going to be a calm, even-tempered nurse!!

Thanks! I have to giggle at this statement though (and I am sure a few mods on here will as well!!!) as after my surgery on Dec 20th I was a complete raving lunatic d/t terrible pain and med reactions- phenergan included! I didn't even want to be around myself, lol! I think I knew I was welll on the mend when I did just walk away.

[kukukajoo, LPN]

I respectfully disagree with you on many things you stated in your response. She was a former co-worker whom I worked with for a very short time (she did not last at the daycare and I was very part-time just doing fill in work). I NEVER STATED SHE WAS A FRIEND- I HARDLY KNOW HER!The party hosts were the friends of mine and hers, although they had recently had some other issues with her which I feel are not appropraite to get into on this board as I don't know the whole story and it is not my business. Just know there is more than I vented about, please.

So there was a pattern of her wanting something fast and not wanting to work for it as well as her lying like this and also causing problems with people in her social circles. There are some boundary issues with her as well, and her causing many people much grief lately- to the point the nearly caused a couple to seperate because of lies and gossip she began and carried on and on about.

She was fully aware she was lying to everyone, and was doing it for the sole purpose to make herself appear more important and better to them than she obviously felt about herself. AND They were fully aware of her lying as well as they close to her, not me. Remember these are people who she knows and sees almost daily. My interception would only have caused her great embarassment as well as put her on the defensive. With her history of causing a ruckus and problems, it was best for me to not confront her- like I was taught to do in psych nursing rotation. Walking away was the best choice.

When I caught the party goers speaking of this behind her back, I did speak to them quietly away from others. They understood my position as well as agreed it was a little sad and not worth talking about someone's bad fortune. I mentioned to them they should reach out to her if they are truly her friends as she must have much going on. SHE had actually avoided me completely the rest of the night. I did not hear all that was said during the night, and I found out the day after the party that it was such a hot side topic amongst certain party attendees (note same people she has been causing issues with).

Part of the 'gossip' had to do with her other, recent issues she has been having/causing with people as well as this.

I was the one at the party who knew her least, as most there were all from that town and meet socially several times a week. I live in another town 20 min away and with school, I have no social life anyhow.

I think you hit the nail on the head. People that say they are something they are not are wrong...but letting this person continue to dig themselves even deeper and allowing others to laugh at them is also wrong. Isn't part of being a nurse caring for everyone...not just your patients? If this person was truly your friend, wouldn't the appropriate thing to do is pull her aside and quietly tell her that she shouldn't be saying these things then give her the reasons why?

I don't doubt that your frustration level was high...but there are professional people that have to hold themselves to a higher moral authority and nurses are one of them. By allowing other people to talk about this person and laugh at her load of BS, you lowered your own morality. If a person is your friend, you always stand up for them in front of others, period.

Was she wrong for saying that she was a nurse? Yes. But you were just as wrong for allowing her to continue to say it and then be publicly humiliated because of it.