Why do nurses feel the need to put RN on their license plates?

Nurses Relations

Published

I have always wondered why RN's need to display their title on their license plate? I have never seen a teacher, lawyer, accountant, librarian, coach, housekeeper, CNA/PCT, chef, mayor etc....... put this on their license plate. Seriously, I don't understand it. I usually see at least 2 a day. Is this just in my area or does this happen everywhere. I would like to know what it is about RN's that feel the need to announce it to everyone what they do? I understand we have all worked hard for our license but come on these other professions have worked just as hard if not more. I know there are more important things going on in the world but I just want some opinions on this. :p

We have true vanity plates for nurses here. On the left side it lists LPN or RN and they money goes to some nursing fund. I am just cheap, but don't care if others have it.

Specializes in Med/Surg,Cardiac.

Honestly I would never put my title on my license plate due to the places my car is when I'm off work. Clubs. Bars. Liquor store. Tobacco store. I live in a pretty small place. I probably wouldn't be recognizable if a previous patient saw me in street clothes but if I had my title or something on my car it would be easier.

My car has a music related tag on it. I have a pretty sweet little sports car and I get a lot more compliments over my car and tag then I would if I advertised my title. Now I will throw my badge out there when I run into a cop because that... Never.. Helps a potentially bad situation.

Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I have often thought about the RN plates. My MIL has a School Nurses plate and I think of it as advocating for the profession. I have a "Support Nurses" ribbon on my car, though my husband drives it more than I do.

All in all nothing someone can put on their car can change my life in anyway that I don't have control over. If they are proud of being an RN, MD, or Mom of 25 I could care less.

Our state actually has a great nursing vanity plate, and the extra funds go into our state nursing association fund for scholarships for nursing students. I think it's a great way to show pride in what we do, and to lend a helping hand to the new nurses following behind us. Pretty cool, if ya ask me. It's amazing to hear how much money we've been able to give to help "make" new nurses every year.

But then again, our other vehicle has a "Bronze Star" tag on it. My hubby earned that bronze star in Iraq, and we're pretty proud of that, too. I guess it's a matter of pride for a lot of folks....and I find it REALLY funny the number of folks who think military tags are free for us! BAHAHAHAAA!!!!!

Best one I have ever seen was 007 MD. Unfortunately the car's driver did not live up to his plate's promise!

Where we come from, we know that's from the inimitable House of God and means "Licensed to kill." :)

Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

Many of the years I drove, I drove a fire engine red Jeep Cherokee Laredo. With that vehicle, who the heck needs RN too?!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.
I saw one that used to say Q2D PRN

I thought it was kind of cute since she did home health care and drove that car to see all her patients.

I also want to point out that this is something only other medical personnel would understand. It's not really advertising...

I'm graduating in 2 weeks and I got a vanity plate (Pennsylvania does not have a nurses specific plate), so my new license plate reads "ARR ENN"...

I'm proud of it - I'm 39, and managed nursing school with a set of school age twins and a husband and household to run...it was either a vanity plate or a tattoo. The plate was cheaper (and less painful LOL)...

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I have always wondered why RN's need to display their title on their license plate? I have never seen a teacher, lawyer, accountant, librarian, coach, housekeeper, CNA/PCT, chef, mayor etc....... put this on their license plate. Seriously, I don't understand it. I usually see at least 2 a day. Is this just in my area or does this happen everywhere. I would like to know what it is about RN's that feel the need to announce it to everyone what they do? I understand we have all worked hard for our license but come on these other professions have worked just as hard if not more. I know there are more important things going on in the world but I just want some opinions on this. :p

I've seen plenty of MD tags. Does that bother you? I don't see how it matters; it's like asking why people who aren't redheads dye their hair red.

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I had "DTHFYTR" when I was in Maine. Hey, if cops can be crime fighters, firemen firefighters, then why can't EMS and Emergency Room staff be death fighters? Also have seen, NOCODE, DFBRL8R, BBCTCHR, BONEDR, IRNRN.

I knew an anesthesiologist whose plate was "INTUB8."

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
yes, this is the truth, twice in one week my mother was pulled over for speeding by the cops. When they seen the plates and seen the stethoscope around her neck, the lady cop in the first incident and the male cop in the second incident asked her where she worked, and then let her go. The lady told my mom, in a friendly tone, come on you know better, you work to serve the greater population of people. Yes, it does pays to have those initials on your plate at times:coollook:

What would work even better would be to drive the speed limit. No risk of tickets, no risking safety of fellow drivers.

+ Add a Comment