Why do Nurse's wear there degree on there name badges?

RNforLongTime · Mar 4, 2003

When I get my CCRN cert, darn straight I'm gonna put it on my badge!!!

RNforLongTime · Mar 4, 2003

Problem is, not many people who work in a hospital wear white anymore. Which is why I always introdice myself to the patient as their RN for the next 12 or 8 hours and will be responsible for their care. I wear seafoam green scrubs provided for me by he hospital. We are mandated to wear our name badges, although the writing on them is so small hardly anyone can read it. That's why I had my OWN name badge made. Its gold plated and says in big black letters myname and title. I wear it in addition to the one given to me by the hospital.

I agree with Susy K, if I earned the credentials, darn straight, I'm gonna wear them and let people know my educational background.

allnurses Guide · Mar 4, 2003

Here's just a funny one about the caps.........

when someone in the hospital admin started muttering about caps identifying nurses and maybe we should go back to them, a buddy of mine got a white baseball cap printed with RN in big black letters on the front and wore that for a few days. Nothing more was heard:chuckle :roll :chuckle :roll

imeejon · Mar 4, 2003

Wow! Kevin storm has the right name for starting this one!

I am just a final year(mature!) student. In the UK there are only a handful of private hospitals.Most are state-owned and part of the National Health Service. Nurses wear a badge showing their first name(or nickname if they prefer),followed by their family name.Underneath,if they are a staff nurse,that is what it says.If they are a ward manager,it says that.No degrees,no diplomas,no RN.( RN also means Royal Navy!) Uniforms are standard across the NHS, with most private facilities following the same system also, so the patients usually know who's who. Only surgical nurses wear scrubs. Other than your name badge, only a fob watch,and, if you are a member,the badge of the Royal College of Nursing, can be worn on uniforms.

As far as different qualifications are concerned,when it comes to getting a job,the better your qualifications and experience are,the better chance you have.A degree is better than a diploma.Surely,nursing is no exception to that,is it?

Back to Kev, who started all this. I had a good laugh when I got up to the bit that said you were a military man.The military are the world's worse for covering themselves with badges for every tiny thing they do or place they have been,and the US military are the worse of the worse for that! Why begrudge nurse wearing those 2 little letters-RN for their degree? That is, unless you have not got one yourself.

So,Kev,what are you?

In our military, nurses with degees are commisioned officers,while those with diplomas are 'enlisted' just like yours.

eagleriver · Mar 4, 2003

I had the bright idea of taking the school patches off my nursing school uniforms and using them for a while. Guess what...I was the only one in the hospital wearing white! Many of the nurses are wearing that navy blue color of scrubs, which makes them blend easliy with the maintenance staff.

"Most people do not have any idea what Nurses do or what their jobs entail."

How then can extra letters after the designation "Nurse" help the public understand?

imeejon · Mar 4, 2003

Good idea eagleriver. so what did you do? Continue to wear,or join the herd?

Our student uniforms have no patches,but they are striped! we just have name badge which says 'student nurse'.Uniforms are not worn on campus,only when we are on practical/clinical placement,which is about 2 thirds of the time in final year.Its handy though,because I do some shifts for an agency,and just wear the student uniform with the agency name badge.

It wouldn't suit you though, as its a dress. Female nurses have the option of tunic and pants,though most don't take it,and I assume the guys have the same option,though I have not yet seen any wearing dresses!

GoodEnuf · Mar 4, 2003

The hospital I worked at did not distinguish RN's although I always felt it was important. Yes, part of it is pride. It is hard work getting your BSN and after all that work and years you finally have the right to display it after your name. But more importantly is that there are different levels of nursing education (LPN, ADN, Diploma BSN) that the public are so often unaware of. They need to know who is taking care of them, for one. Second, it educates the public on the differences between practical and professional nursing.

mattsmom81 · Mar 4, 2003

I would really like to see more emphasis on the need to educate the public about what NURSES DO, and less about the 'need' to educate them about the differing CREDENTIALS.

Some of us here agee on that thankfully and it gives me hope. :)

Stargazer · Mar 4, 2003

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32261&perpage=20&display=&pagenumber=4

Dr. Kate, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2003

As far as I'm concerned the only thing that matters is the RN that says I have the right and privilege to do what I do.

As someone who is frightfully overeducated I choose not to use the letters because they can be intimidating, off putting, and downright precious. But that's my opinion and I keep it to myself. I don't want people impressed by the degrees I've collected. I want them impressed because I'm a d--- good nurse.

Also, how did this thread get resurrected?

Teshiee · Mar 5, 2003

I think it is what most say on this thread a pride thing. I am sure many of us work very hard to obtain our credentials why not show them off.

Stargazer · Mar 5, 2003

Originally posted by Dr. Kate
Also, how did this thread get resurrected?

I dunno, but it counts for one shot in the Allnurses Drinking Game!