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 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.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
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.

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Just have rn on my badge. I don't mind what others put on there badge.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
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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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

My goodness I am so tired of this ridiculous conversation that keeps popping up again and again. Why are nurses so intent on pettiness and belittling others achievements? There seems to be a penchant for the have-nots to laugh at the haves to make themselves feel superior. If you want the credentials by all means go ahead and work for them. Anyone can get them through sheer hard work and perseverance! My badge reads Rocknurse BSN RN CCRN-K CDN and soon I will add MSN and AGACNP-BC also. I worked my behind off to get those credentials and I'll darn well use them if I want. I'm not ashamed of them and I'm not embarrassed because someone thinks they're ostentatious or pretentious. Who cares? I earned them. I don't give one rat's patootie what anyone thinks. I have every right to use them whenever I want and if it makes you uncomfortable look away. No, I'm not the same as any other RN. I've been doing this for 25 years. I've worked critical care for decades and ran an acute dialysis program for 5 years across 5 facilities. I've trained many ICU nurses in the use of CRRT, IABP and invasive monitoring. My credentials reflect my experience. Don't tell me to lower my eyes to the ground and liken myself to the nurse with one year experience in a nursing home. Sorry....not the same thing. I'm proud of my accomplishments and you should be of your own too. Flaunt your letters, ladies and gentlemen!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Great discussion and obviously a popular one. I go to several hospitals and they have different name tag systems: some first name only, then RN, BSN, MSN, etc. Others have first and last name and then credentials.

However, all have the big badge behind the name tag that hangs down below your name tag with your position: RN, LPN, PCT, APN, etc.

That seems to be the only commonality. Personally, during two recent hospitalizations for pediatric care, I appreciate knowing who is providing care. It was also necessary for personnel to come in and introduce themselves and what their role in the care would be and that too was appreciated.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
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.

About 15 years ago is when I remember it starting to become unsafe for nurses to wear badges with their last names displayed. Patients who wouldn't dream of calling doctors on their personal home phones (provided they even had access to that number) wouldn't hesitate to call the RN at home. In our practice, it became such an issue that all of us nurses were given permission to tape over our last names until we could order new name tags.

Since then, I haven't seen or worn a nursing badge with a last name. Social media has only compounded the issue as it can open an individual up to stalking situations.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

I have my BSN on my badge. And why shouldn't I? I worked my ass off for that degree, so I might as well show it proudly.

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I worked for a hospital several years ago that only allowed RN on the badge unless you were "credentialed" staff and then you got a different color badge with your degree/certs listed.

where I work now they will put BSN,RN on your badge only if you are charge or above. Staff RN don't get BSN on the badge.

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I worked for a hospital several years ago that only allowed RN on the badge unless you were "credentialed" staff and then you got a different color badge with your degree/certs listed.

where I work now they will put BSN,RN on your badge only if you are charge or above. Staff RN don't get BSN on the badge.

I don't understand the logic behind that. What am I missing?

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Specializes in PICU, Pediatrics, Trauma.
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. :)

I get it. To each his/her own, right? For you, the LVN program was the most challenging, for others, none of it is challenging or all of it is challenging...Some want acknowledgement for their perceived hard work...when I got CCRN cert., that was huge for me! I felt proud at first....then after time, it didn't matter.

You have achieved a lot. Maybe you are desensitized to your personal achievement! Hee, hee! Kind of kidding...But then after a certain point, what else needs to be identified on a badge? MD's have MD. NP's have NP. The rest of us sometimes want that acknowledgment for the "extra" knowledge or expertise. Ego.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
My goodness I am so tired of this ridiculous conversation that keeps popping up again and again. Why are nurses so intent on pettiness and belittling others achievements? There seems to be a penchant for the have-nots to laugh at the haves to make themselves feel superior. If you want the credentials by all means go ahead and work for them. Anyone can get them through sheer hard work and perseverance! My badge reads Rocknurse BSN RN CCRN-K CDN and soon I will add MSN and AGACNP-BC also. I worked my behind off to get those credentials and I'll darn well use them if I want. I'm not ashamed of them and I'm not embarrassed because someone thinks they're ostentatious or pretentious. Who cares? I earned them. I don't give one rat's patootie what anyone thinks. I have every right to use them whenever I want and if it makes you uncomfortable look away. No, I'm not the same as any other RN. I've been doing this for 25 years. I've worked critical care for decades and ran an acute dialysis program for 5 years across 5 facilities. I've trained many ICU nurses in the use of CRRT, IABP and invasive monitoring. My credentials reflect my experience. Don't tell me to lower my eyes to the ground and liken myself to the nurse with one year experience in a nursing home. Sorry....not the same thing. I'm proud of my accomplishments and you should be of your own too. Flaunt your letters, ladies and gentlemen!

YeahhhOK and the bolded doesn't sound even the slightest bit petty or as if belittling others achievements?

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