When people say they are nurses but not...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Does it bother you?

The sister of my SIL is in nursing school, graduating soon (I think) but since she started taking nursing courses, the entire family- including this girl talk like she is a nurse.

It drives me insane. Yes, you are in nursing school, and this is great, but you do not have a licence to practice, you have not passed the NCLEX,you are restricted on what you can do in clinicals, and your expirience is limited to what you have seen in school. Therefore, you are not a nurse, and in fact have alot of learning to do once you do graduate. Please stop telling people and letting other tell people that you are a nurse.

IMO, being a nurse is a privledge and sometimes even an honor. Many people respect nurses of our knowledge. To let someone think that you are a nurse is deceptive.

Just curious if others feel the same way, or if I just have bigger issues on board :D

Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
let me clarify just a little- the term "nurse" is, to me, the same as the term "carpenter", "soldier", "driver".

should there be a law ?

"carpenter" only if certified by a specific authority?

"driver"? only if you have a license? there are people who drive vehicles without license - does that mean they are not a "driver"? or they are not a "licensed driver"?

"nurse"? or "registered nurse"? (-for this we already have laws. impersonation/fraud laws.)

that's ridiculous!

should a vet tech be allowed to say they're a vetarnarian? a chiropractic assistant allowed to say they're a chiropractor? a legal assistant a lawyer? are you going to take your dog to that vet tech? your aching back to that chiropractic tech? you most important legal business to that legal assistant??????? let me clarify alot....do i want a person pretending to be a nurse to do a procedure on my person that requires a state nursing license to do so. no....i don't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
they knew who was the "nurse"...the one who took them to the bathroom and put them bed. but... they knew that i was the nurse.

the term "nurse" and the term the nurse is still the term nurse. the person who takes them to the bathroom and put them to bed is the aide, not the nurse. the patients may not care about the difference, the problem is the aide allows theirselves to be referred to as a nurse and she is wrong to do so. then they begin calling themselves nurses outside of work and there we go again. :rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If an unqualified person performs a procedure they are not legally allowed to perform...they are breaking the law.

If a nonlawyer portrays themselves as a lawyer- this is fraud. They are breaking the law.

Obviously, my opinion is probably in the minority, as many states HAVE passed legislation regarding the use of the term "nurse".

However, many states have not passed any type of regulations, including the state where I grew up- and thrived in the culture that influenced my opinions.

In this state, in my part of the county, the term "nurse" is used as a description. I can remember my grandmothers talking about "nurses", referring to widows who moved in with families to care for the sick in exchange for room and board. This is how they survived.

This is also how ANYONE who cared for someone else is referred to. Everyone knows who the registered nurse is at the local Doctor's office, but everyone who works in the office is referred to as "nurse".

This is our culture. Physician staff is referred to as "nurses". To this day.

There are already laws relating to impersonation and fraud.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

She should introduce herself as "Student Nurse", not nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Doesn't bother me unless the girl/ family is saying she is a registered nurse or a licensed nurse. In my state surgical technicians are called scrub nurses. They don't have degrees or diplomas, just certificates - some of them... Look at the history of nursing - I mean way back: nurses were any person who cared for the sick, before there were nursing schools, nclex, boards of nursing, etc.

I'd be interested to know what the Webster definition of "nurse" is. Anyone have one handy?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

i'd be interested to know what the webster definition of "nurse" is. anyone have one handy?

yep. here you go! :yeah:

main entry: 1nurse

pronunciation: primarystress.gifnschwa.gifrs

function: noun

1 : a woman who suckles an infant not her own : wet nurse

2 : a person who cares for the sick or infirm; specifically : a licensed health-care professional who practices independently or is supervised by a physician, surgeon, or dentist and who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health -- see licensed practical nurse, licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse

http://medical.merriam-webster.com/medical/nurse

Up Vote Up Vote ×

1 a: a woman who suckles an infant not her own : wet nurse b: a woman who takes care of a young child : dry nurse

2: one that looks after, fosters, or advises

3: a person who cares for the sick or infirm; specifically : a licensed health-care professional who practices independently or is supervised by a physician, surgeon, or dentist and who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health — compare licensed practical nurse, registered nurse

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nurse

websters is only slightly different.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
yep. here you go! :yeah:

main entry: 1nurse

pronunciation: primarystress.gifnschwa.gifrs

function: noun

1 : a woman who suckles an infant not her own : wet nurse

2 : a person who cares for the sick or infirm; specifically : a licensed health-care professional who practices independently or is supervised by a physician, surgeon, or dentist and who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health -- see licensed practical nurse, licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse

http://medical.merriam-webster.com/medical/nurse

this definition is from webster's medical dictionary. i was speaking of the general dictionary.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg,ortho,ccu,trauma.

Hey all:

This is definately one of my pet peeves right up there with people coming to the desk instead of using the call light (because they think it will be faster)or standing in the doorway staring making sure you are on your way to their room.

I do not understand why people starting in the profession do that or why patients families always make sure they tell you that 3 or so of their family members are nurses like since they told you that you'd better watch out. I think it's just insecurity.

Kitty63:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
this definition is from webster's medical dictionary. i was speaking of the general dictionary.

it is from the websters dictionary. i'm sorry you don't see what you want to see. if you're referring the word "nurse" yes there are other definitions such as to nurse a baby. the word nurse as in a profession is protected by law. one cannot say they are a nurse if they are not. pretty simple really.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am a nursing student and i completely agree with you. However I have noticed that since i am in school for nursing everyone comes to me with their health questions and i'm like i don't know and then i feel like i should know. But I would never try to 'treat' someone. I just wish people wouldn't think that i have all the answers. maybe that is what is happening and she feels pressured to know everything. I would never call myself a nurse until after i am one i just think of even more people who would want be coming to me to diagnose them. I wish people would realize i am not a nurse! yet anyways

Be very careful about giving others health advice...

when a pts family asks me how is so and so doing? The first words I say are has the MD/Resident whoever is covering that pt been in to speak with you? the next thing I say is if they answer no is let me find them and let them know you need to speak with them. It may be not the immediate answer the family is looking for but I as The Nurse am not going to give any family member a prognosis on the pt... we had a case on our floor where family members were recording with digital recorders everything the nurses said. Sadly we live ina sue happy world and because of that you really need to watch what you say. Medical advice let the MD who is making way more money than you give that out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
it is from the websters dictionary. i'm sorry you don't see what you want to see. if you're referring the word "nurse" yes there are other definitions such as to nurse a baby. the word nurse as in a profession is protected by law. one cannot say they are a nurse if they are not. pretty simple really.

this is true only in some states. i remember a thread like this before. wonder if there is a site that specifies which states do have this law.?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment