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
I agree that it is unethical as well as in many states, illegal for those to call themselves nurses if not licensed as such. In my state, it is illegal and I certainly support this for all states.
sirI
:down:Just yesterday we nearly coded a patient because the person called who called herself a "nurse" in the patients doctors office told the patient they should not take their insulin prior to their MRI but that they didn't have to be NPO. This was a newly diagnosed diabetic. The scan was not done until 5:00 pm. The patient said but the "nurse" told me not to take my insulin, she should know. Was she a licensed nurse? NO ! She was not only confused about Metformin vs Insulin for a scan, she was also confused about CT vs MRI. She did mention though that in everything else she is very competent. That's comforting......
Personal responsibility. A patient will take advise from any office personnel regarding preps. Whether she said she was a nurse or not. Frequently it is not licensed nurses giving imaging prep instructions.
This employee and her supervisor are responsible for her actions.
Some people do not think it is unethical- and this is because of their CULTURE. In my CULTURE, the term is one of respect, and designates a person who cares for others in the health field, whether it be home nursing, clinic, etc.
I, and others of this CULTURE, abide by the law, but see this issue differently.
It is simply an example of different environments, cultures, societies. I do not have to agree with others, and may not be able to see their point, but I do not ridicule or belittle.
As there are laws re impersonation and fraud, I see these regulations as a big waste of time and money.
Just Curious, Are you a Nurse? Registered or Licensed Practical?
sirI
:down:Just yesterday we nearly coded a patient because the person called who called herself a "nurse" in the patients doctors office told the patient they should not take their insulin prior to their MRI but that they didn't have to be NPO. This was a newly diagnosed diabetic. The scan was not done until 5:00 pm. The patient said but the "nurse" told me not to take my insulin, she should know. Was she a licensed nurse? NO ! She was not only confused about Metformin vs Insulin for a scan, she was also confused about CT vs MRI. She did mention though that in everything else she is very competent. That's comforting......
I am curious why did this patient nearly code because they did not take their insulin??? Seem to me if they took it-they would be more apt to code
I sure didn't make myself clear, did I. There are currently laws re impersonation and fraud. A person cannot say they are a Registered Nurse or Licensed Nurse if they are not. THIS is illegal. I think that legislation making it illegal to say you are a "nurse" when you are not licensed or registered is a waste of time.Outlawing the term "nurse" is what I was attempting to say. It is not illegal in some states to call yourself a "nurse" if you are not licensed.I personally do not believe it is unethical for anyone to call themselves a "nurse". It is very unethical and illegal to call yourself Registered or Licensed if you are not.
Are you currently a Registered or Licensed Practical Nurse? I just can't believe a nurse who worked hard for their license would feel this way.
Calling oneself a nurse when one is not bothers me on many levels. Mostly the title is one that is earned after much hard work. Secondly and personally many times patients have done some inappropriate thing such as those mentioned becuase "the nurse told me to". Those problems have come back to me as I was the only actual nurse in the office. It was the medical assistant giving inappropriate advice.
sirI 
DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN
3,932 Posts
:down:Just yesterday we nearly coded a patient because the person called who called herself a "nurse" in the patients doctors office told the patient they should not take their insulin prior to their MRI but that they didn't have to be NPO. This was a newly diagnosed diabetic. The scan was not done until 5:00 pm. The patient said but the "nurse" told me not to take my insulin, she should know. Was she a licensed nurse? NO ! She was not only confused about Metformin vs Insulin for a scan, she was also confused about CT vs MRI. She did mention though that in everything else she is very competent. That's comforting......