I am a student nurse. I m halfway through my ADN and dual enrolled for my BSN. I also completed the LPN option program so I can sit for the NCLEX-PN this summer so I can work as an LPN until I get my RN.
I have a friend, she used to be my BFF before I moved to go to school. She has worked in healthcare for many years in administrative positions (Surgical coordinator for a dental practice, secretary in a urology clinic, etc.) She completed some pre-reqs for a nursing program, but never actually took ANY nursing classes. She IS more knowledgeable than the average layperson when it comes to health and wellness. But she has never taken Nursing classes, not even CNA classes. I love her to death. She's always been more like a sister than a friend.
My problem is, she is claiming to be a nurse in a certain FB group. She will comment on posts saying, "Nurse here! It sounds like ABC or EFG, so you should talk to your doctor and ask them to run XYZ labs and look at TUV for blah blah blah..." Or she will give her opinion and support it with, "BTW I'm a nurse..." She even said just today, "Some people, including me (an advanced degree nurse), use blah blah blah..."
I am REALLY annoyed by this. Like, I am feeling really angry about it. I am busting my tail in school, with NO social life, missing time with my kids to EARN my nursing degree. I've passed the LPN program, but I don't even THINK about calling myself an LPN because I have not taken the NCLEX yet! And here she is, having never taken a single NURSING class and calling herself a nurse? An "advance degree nurse?" I'm beyond irritated.
So how can I handle this? I don't want to lose a friend, but I don't think I can tolerate this behavior. I find it very offensive and insulting to every person who has busted their butt to EARN their license. I feel like it is disrespectful to all nurses, and beyond that, what if she gives the wrong "advice" and someone gets hurt? Now there's someone who will be less trusting of REAL nurses. It's not even entirely about my feelings, it's about the damage to our profession when people who claim to be nurses, but are NOT, give bad or inappropriate advice to people.
What would you do? Obviously I have to confront her, but I don't even know where to begin...
Specializes in Cardiac Surgery, critical care transport.
YOU keep doing your thing, get good grades, get your LPN, RN, and be able to support yourself for the rest of your life without any financial help from anybody. It will pay off. I just retired after 30 years and I am 53.
As for your BFF, a lot of folks show their narcissistic traits on social media and pretend to be something they are not. But you may need to distance yourself, blame it on school. If she would illegally present herself as a licensed Nurse online, what else is she capable of. Basically, she is a liar. It would be great if you could talk to her but indirectly-say an article about someone else who got busted for claiming Nursehood. Just casually show your friend this article. Your mind= blown
A few yrs back, my DH's cousin was frequently posting on FB referring to herself as a nurse (she's an MA). I found an article, copy of the state legislature or something to that effect (including the $10,000 fine) & posted it directly after seeing one of her comments. I've never seen her refer to herself as a nurse again.
KlineRN, BSN, RN
10 Posts
YOU keep doing your thing, get good grades, get your LPN, RN, and be able to support yourself for the rest of your life without any financial help from anybody. It will pay off. I just retired after 30 years and I am 53.
As for your BFF, a lot of folks show their narcissistic traits on social media and pretend to be something they are not. But you may need to distance yourself, blame it on school. If she would illegally present herself as a licensed Nurse online, what else is she capable of. Basically, she is a liar. It would be great if you could talk to her but indirectly-say an article about someone else who got busted for claiming Nursehood. Just casually show your friend this article. Your mind= blown
Best of Luck to you !!!
NC nursing board scolds Republican Beverly Boswell for claiming to be a nurse. | News & Observer