What's In A Name Badge?

Nurses Professionalism

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Hi All! (I can feel the flames already)

This is sort of a vent post and my curiosity on all of you wonderful ladies and gentlemen's take on the subject...NOT AN ADN vs BSN bullcrap argument, so please NONE of that. :)

I have my BSN. I went to a 4 year program. When I got my first job 3 years ago the hospital automatically put RN-BSN on my name badge. Never did I catch so much cattiness and people assuming I felt "superior." NOT THE CASE AT ALL. I didn't even ask for it to be on my badge. I had one LPN who constantly made snide comments "BSN my a**, she knows nothing." New grads were supposed to know it all I guess?? *eye roll*

FAST FORWARD to the present. I accepted a new job at another hospital. HR asked what I wanted on my badge. I told them "please just put RN. I don't want BSN." I just want to avoid anyone thinking that I have some chip on my shoulder. I do not want to come off snobbish. I am not saying those who want BSN on their badge are snobbish but in my experience this is how it's perceived. I do not feel I am any better than an ADN prepared nurse. They are wonderful!!

What is everyone's take on this? Anyone been in a similar situation?

Specializes in Critical Care.
nursing school is HARD! Hard to get in, hard to stay in, hard to finish & hard to pass nclex. If you make it & graduate w/ your BSN , then you should wear your credentials proudly. Alot of people would die to have accomplished that.

that's my take on it ...

I also worked hard to become an RN, the BSN route is what I happened to choose to get there. Are you saying you want to make sure to separate yourself from other nurses who have an ADN because they didn't work hard to become an RN?

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I also worked hard to become an RN, the BSN route is what I happened to choose to get there. Are you saying you want to make sure to separate yourself from other nurses who have an ADN because they didn't work hard to become an RN?

It also seems to be more of a petty way of making sure people know that unlike stupid sally the ADN nurse down the hall, I have a BSN.

And so far, only you called the ADN RN stupid. Having an ADN does not make the RN stupid but having a BSN shouldn't make them stupid either. Insulting the ADN is a piss poor argument for not supporting a nurse who wants a higher degree for personal and professional improvement.

Is that what you really think getting an education is all about? Why should we feel shamed to have a higher degree? No one is asking anyone to work separately unless the unit or hospital requires the BSN. Why must those with lower education try to shame those with a BSN? Why must the BSNs give up showing pride in their accomplishments? Not many other professions look down on education quite the way nursing does. Accountants celebrate their higher degrees as do most in business. Physicians congratulate each other on their accomplishments. Why must RNs be held to a lower education standard and not expected to advance beyond ADN by each other?

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Specializes in Critical Care.
And so far, only you called the ADN RN stupid. Having an ADN does not make the RN stupid but having a BSN shouldn't make them stupid either. Insulting the ADN is a piss poor argument for not supporting a nurse who wants a higher degree for personal and professional improvement.

Is that what you really think getting an education is all about? Why should we feel shamed to have a higher degree? No one is asking anyone to work separately unless the unit or hospital requires the BSN. Why must those with lower education try to shame those with a BSN? Why must the BSNs give up showing pride in their accomplishments? Not many other professions look down on education quite the way nursing does. Accountants celebrate their higher degrees as do most in business. Physicians congratulate each other on their accomplishments. Why must RNs be held to a lower education standard and not expected to advance beyond ADN by each other?

I think I've been pretty clear that we can't say either route to an RN is so definitively superior that it needs to be clarified along with "RN". An RN is an RN, with various routes of getting there. Maybe you could clarify where I said ADN's are in fact stupid?

I don't see how calling both ADN and BSN grads "RN" by itself is shaming BSN grads, it sort of sounds like you're saying that taking away the ability of BSN grads to point out they are not ADN grads somehow shames BSN grads.

I'll be the first to admit I once held a different view of community college grads. I went to a 4 year school out of high school, got a bachelor's degree, then went back and got a BSN at one of the top nursing schools in the country. I will admit I felt superior to ADN's when I graduated. Then I worked with ADNs, and now I'm a liason between my hospital and 4 local nursing programs - one BSN and 3 ADN programs. I was pretty shocked to learn what's involved in an ADN program. Aside from about 3-7 credits of pre-reqs the core entry requirements are the same, the majority of the students in the ADN programs have previous bachelor's degrees, the GPA cutoff is similar for both types, the ADN students are primary second career students, so they're balancing family, jobs, with the same curriculum and clinical requirements of the BSN program. So I wouldn't agree the ADN students are less educated or don't have to work as hard for their degree, they're "RN"s just like me, no more, no less.

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I think I've been pretty clear that we can't say either route to an RN is so definitively superior that it needs to be clarified along with "RN". An RN is an RN, with various routes of getting there. Maybe you could clarify where I said ADN's are in fact stupid?

I don't see how calling both ADN and BSN grads "RN" by itself is shaming BSN grads, it sort of sounds like you're saying that taking away the ability of BSN grads to point out they are not ADN grads somehow shames BSN grads.

I'll be the first to admit I once held a different view of community college grads. I went to a 4 year school out of high school, got a bachelor's degree, then went back and got a BSN at one of the top nursing schools in the country. I will admit I felt superior to ADN's when I graduated. Then I worked with ADNs, and now I'm a liason between my hospital and 4 local nursing programs - one BSN and 3 ADN programs. I was pretty shocked to learn what's involved in an ADN program. Aside from about 3-7 credits of pre-reqs the core entry requirements are the same, the majority of the students in the ADN programs have previous bachelor's degrees, the GPA cutoff is similar for both types, the ADN students are primary second career students, so they're balancing family, jobs, with the same curriculum and clinical requirements of the BSN program. So I wouldn't agree the ADN students are less educated or don't have to work as hard for their degree, they're "RN"s just like me, no more, no less.

Why do you believe all RNs with a BSN feel they are superior? Why should those holding a BSN should feel ashamed of their education because you think ADNs will be feel inferior or as you put it "nurse Sally stupid"? I have known BSNs, ADNs and Diploma RNs to work side by side with no problem. For some reason you hold this inferior superior concept and look down on ADNs.

You also painted the ADN with a broad stroke. Many take students take the ADN after high school rather than BSN because it is the only program nearby and/or it fits their budget for a career after just 2 years to make decent money. But, those who can get a 4 year degree should not be made to feel ashamed or guilty to have earned that degree. Why are you so ashamed of having a BSN? But, you keep saying you have a BSN. Here's some advice, don't tell anyone you have a BSN. Leave it off your name tag and signature. But, allow those who are proud of their degree to wear the BSN letters. Also, stop stereotyping the ADNs as all feeling insecure and inferior around a BSN. Also, don't assume BSNs look at the ADN as "nurse Sally stupid". This is not 1960 ando times are changing. Higher education for nurses is actually popular now. Granted the majority are women but showing pride in advanced education is okay now. I look for it in other professions. Get over your issues with education or just hide your BSN. You don't have to mention it in all of your posts. Problem solved.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Interesting discussion.....my name badge says simply RN.

While I'm proud of my degrees, I'm not sure how it benefits patients to have my academic credentials on my badge.

The purpose of a name badge is hospital security and for patients to know who they're dealing with (nurse vs nursing assistant vs dietary aide).

How does everyone feel about having certifications on badges, like "CCRN" or "RN-BC" ?

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Its just a badge, they will test your critical thinking capabilities and attitude if you are affected or not

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Specializes in ICU.

I like having my education and certifications on my badge. I don't care about my coworkers knowing, but the specialty cert in particular is occasionally helpful with family members who ask why exactly I'm qualified to care for the patient. It reassures the micromanaging spouses when I tell them the CCRN means I sat for and passed a specialty certification exam for critical care. CCRN means nothing with actual bedside care - it just means I'm good at taking tests, which anyone with actual nursing experience can tell you - but patient families don't know that. They think it means I know everything and I am super qualified.

And sometimes it means when I get in report that they were demanding and stayed all night hovering over the patient, hitting the call light or coming out to find the nurse in the hallway every time something beeped or the patient moved his/her hand at all, that for me they actually go home because "oooh, she's CERTIFIED." Nevermind that they stayed all night for my coworkers with 20 years of experience, who know way more than I do, when I only have 3.5. :roflmao:

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My ID says RN, nothing else. I do like the idea of being known as Nurse Ratchet, RN-High Queen of Narnia. I think I'll suggest that the next time TPTB want employee input for that self-governing nonsense.

Just call me RN Queen, lol!

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If you earned the credentials then use them.

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This is........weird and unfortunate some people need to find something to pick on people about. I have not experienced this. Most nurses I work with have a BSN but I have never seen anyone comment on those that do not. I had a preceptor on a step-down unit who was a diploma-prepared RN with 20+ years of experience. She was amazing and no one put her down for lack of a BSN.

I knew a great diploma nurse as well and she'd run circles around anyone! Miss her!

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I also worked hard to become an RN, the BSN route is what I happened to choose to get there. Are you saying you want to make sure to separate yourself from other nurses who have an ADN because they didn't work hard to become an RN?

An RN is the minimal level of licensure for a professional nurse. Adding your degree, unless it's a graduate degree, is superfluous and only useful when a hospital is trying to achieve magnet status or if you are in a management position. To my mind it only highlights the fact that RNs are one of the few professions that require a two year degree rather than a baccalaureate. I say this as an ADN nurse who is working on my BSN because I honestly don't believe that my education is adequate for today's work environment. Still, you earned it and cattiness aside, you deserve to wear it if it floats your boat. I would be more concerned about the fact that an RN name badge typically includes first name only when MD badges use only the last name. This invites a familiarity that is inconsistent with professionalism and intimates a devalued status that I find truly offensive.

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You know, the Nazis had flair they made the Jews wear.

LOL Office Space movie quote!!!

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