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?
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.
I have never worked anywhere that had ID badges with first name only, so this post surprises me. Never first name only, for anyone. I've only had First Last, RN on my badges, and the docs have First Last, MD. Lots of times I've seen the argument to have only first names on IDs for privacy reasons but I think people have a right to know who is taking care of them, and it's a professional image. The waitress at the diner I go to has only her first name on her tag, that's not the culture we should be projecting with our IDs.
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
Interestingly enough, when I worked in the prison we had FIRST AND LAST. You'd be shocked what the inmates would find out about you. I just made sure to keep social media as private settings as I could.
That absolutely blows my mind that in all environments, they would have full names in a prison setting!! I avoid social media completely, partially to avoid such situations.
Thank you everyone for the responses. It is interesting to see all the points of view and thank you for not letting it spiral too much into a battle
One theme I kept seeing reoccur is the "full name" vs "first name" on badges. Interestingly enough, when I worked in the prison we had FIRST AND LAST. You'd be shocked what the inmates would find out about you. I just made sure to keep social media as private settings as I could.
have you checked to see if your BON has any name badge requirements? In Montana, you must have first and last name as well as license type in at least 18 point font.
As far as I can tell, ninety percent of people don't look at badges closely enough to have any idea what's on them at all, so I could put "RN, BSN, High Queen of Narnia" on there and patients would still be confusing me with the dietary aide they reported their pain to ten minutes ago.
I have a giant flaming red "RN" tag on my name badge (and position-color-coded scrubs but that's another story) and all it does is make it heavier. People don't care.
Personally, I only take issue with badges that have my last name on them. Patients should have the right to identify me as an employee, not look up where I live or go hunting for my FB profile.
I shouldn't care but I do, some nurses where I work have BSN-RN on their badge and others have RN, what I think is crazy is I was hired on with a BSN-RN, another colleague just got their BSN and they issued them a new badge with BSN-RN, while mine still says RN. I also do not like having my last name on my badge as some of the patients I care for are inmates, etc. I do feel like though many other nurses LPNs, and ADNs treat BSN nurses poorly as they think that us BSN nurses think we are better than them, when in reality we aren't and I have learned the majority of my nursing skills and other skills from ADNs LPNs, and CNAs/techs! I in no way think I am better than anyone! I just feel like I worked hard for those other 3 letters lol, oh for the day that nurses don't eat their young......
Back to the last name thing, I have had patients request me on facebook, of course I did NOT accept, but its worrying when you get requests from patients, and patients who look up your nursing license by your first and last name and ask if your address is next to blah blah road, or restaurant... because they looked it up online on google... I feel like it is a huge safety issue especially in some situations.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Regarding last names, why is that nurses shouldn't have to reveal them? All physicians do, since they go by Dr. Whatsis. Besides, patients have a right to know who is providing their care. Even if you don't have your last name on your ID, a determined patient can still find it- all they have to do is request to look at their medical record.
Regarding last names, why is that nurses shouldn't have to reveal them? All physicians do, since they go by Dr. Whatsis. Besides, patients have a right to know who is providing their care. Even if you don't have your last name on your ID, a determined patient can still find it- all they have to do is request to look at their medical record.
I believe a patient has every right to hold staff accountable, and that means revealing last names in certain circumstances. But I suspect it's more common that patients look up nurses for kicks than that they have a legitimate professional reason to need a nurse's full legal name.
Since when does a mere Bachelors degree afford anyone the right to be perceived or even act "snobbish"....Ph.D. maybe but come on a Bachelors really......that's laughable at best. Is this a nursing thing? Most of my collegues have master's degrees guess what nobody cares. I've met so far 4 LVNs with Ph.D's trust me they don't care. I'll be an LVN with dual Masters......again who cares? What matters is your level of expertise, your knowledge and your ability to deliver safe, competent care.
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
Regarding last names, why is that nurses shouldn't have to reveal them? All physicians do, since they go by Dr. Whatsis. Besides, patients have a right to know who is providing their care. Even if you don't have your last name on your ID, a determined patient can still find it- all they have to do is request to look at their medical record.
I completely understand and agree with the perspective that the patients' have a right to know who is providing care, and also that they can find other ways to find it out. I have just witnessed through coworkers situations where patient families have had full access to their first and last name, and have used that in malicious/inappropriate ways to contact them in a non-professional manner. Based on that, I support the idea of only have the first name (or last name of the doctor since that is the culture to call the doctor by the last name) on a badge for security reasons. If a patient/family member had a valid complaint that they wanted to escalate, they could easily ask either the staff member directly or the charge nurse for the staff member's full name so that they could complain, etc.
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.
I think maybe you've missed some sarcasm as I don't believe all BSN RN's feel they are superior, and I completely agree we are both RN's, which is why there generally isn't any purpose to clarifying BSN vs ADN on a name tag. The post I was responding to however did claim they should be able to point out they are BSN RN, not just an RN, so there are certainly those who hold that view.
I understand what you are saying...Personally, it doesn't make sense to have every accomplishment behind your name...only those pertinent to your current position.
I wanted to clarify that you realized I was being sarcastic with my italicized whiny "because I worked so hard for it" comment. As previously mentioned I use NP and thats it. :)
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I have never worked anywhere that had ID badges with first name only, so this post surprises me. Never first name only, for anyone. I've only had First Last, RN on my badges, and the docs have First Last, MD. Lots of times I've seen the argument to have only first names on IDs for privacy reasons but I think people have a right to know who is taking care of them, and it's a professional image. The waitress at the diner I go to has only her first name on her tag, that's not the culture we should be projecting with our IDs.