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

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I have never had anyone give me a straight answear to this question, Why do nurses wear there degree on the badge uniforms? I see few other people in the hospital setting that do it except for nurses, why is this? Is it an ego thing? I would understand if you were qualified for various postions ie RN, EMT-P, RRT, but the whole concept of wearing your degree seems to have a I'm better than you attitude. Personnally myself being a military man I find the postion you hold carries more clout than your degree. I have seen ADN's as Supervisors and MSN's doing floor work. Does the degree vs the certification(CEN,CCN) make a difference? As a pre- hospital care worker when I go in the ER or up to a floor the only thing I ever notice is that the higher the degree the less likely that person is to assist you, not always but more often than not this is the case. I would welcome any feed back on this. Thanks Kev

Well I think if anything it will help the patients learn their ABCs... I think its great to be able to acknowledge your accomplishments, but how many patients know what a BSN, MSN, CEN, CCRN, MICN, etc etc etc all mean ???? I think if you are providing excellent care, regardless of the degree is way more important :D

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"Medic_Kev, the reason nurses (not "nurse's") wear their (not "there") degrees and credentials on their (not "there") badges is to demonstrate to patients and colleagues their (once again, not "there") professional standing.

That, or they're (not "there" OR "their") doing it to demonstrate that they've had the education required to recognise the difference between the possessive and plural forms of a noun, and the ability to differentiate between homonyms."

Rather than focus on how to make someone feel bad, why not stick to the issue.

As with any worthwhile discussion, this one has evolved. Lets focus on insight and growth, not language or writing skills.

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Originally posted by GoodEnuf

W have the opportunity to educate them about the hard training, education, licensing, etc. we all go thru to become nurses as opposed to some fictitious 2 week program with OJT. It not only helps remove stereotypes, but also brings a respect to the profession of nursing.

Another point, why is it we expect and look for credentials from a doctor, but then to some it becomes offensive to see credentials from a nurse?

We can educate the public about what nurses do without going into the differing credentials. I still suspect much of this credential-wearing in nurses is for ego reasons, and I've just never subscribed to that kind of thinking.

I don't see doctors with anything but MD or DO on their coats.

How about we do what they do...their JOB... and stop trying to brag that "I've got a piece of paper that says I know more than that nurse." (to quote another poster here)

I just do NOT see that attitude as helpful to our profession. Those who feel higher education is the end all DO, I'm sure.

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We can educate the public about what nurses do without going into the differing credentials. I still suspect much of this credential-wearing in nurses is for ego reasons, and I've just never subscribed to that kind of thinking.

For whatever reason each person wears them is a mute point, I think. It only helps the profession's image:)

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A few years ago, my buddy and I slit the plastic on our ID badges and made up a bunch of initials behind the RN on our name tags. I believe one of them was AFL-CIO, another was MCP (mobile chunk patrol for obvious reasons). Not one staff member questioned them nor mentioned them (probably because they didn't want to be seen as un-informed). No patients remarked on them and eventually we became disappointed at this lack of reaction and requested new badges, using the excuse that we'd lost ours. My point is that to most people it doesn't really matter what it says behind your name as long as it says RN first.

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"Why do nurses wear their degree on their name badges?"

Because they earned it! Everyone should be able to display their degree without being judged for it.

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I am an ADN RN and feel like a nurse should wear it on their name badge if they have worked hard and gotten a higher degree. The only problem that I have is the places that I have worked the higher the degree, the lazier the nurse has been. Even with nurses that have gone from LPN to ADN, I have seen the nurses think that I am now an RN so I don't have to do anything. Some were even told that they would not have to do patient care after getting their RN degree. They were so disappointed after they graduated that they quit working at the hospital or LTC and found what they thought to be an easier job. I think if you worked for it, be proud and display it.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Something happened to me about an hour ago that happens to me about once per month that is the reason I include my academic credentials on my badge.

A Social Worker on the elevator read my badge and commented that she didn't know nurses COULD get a PhD. It gave me the opportunity to teach her that nursing is a legitimate and respected discipline, recognized by the academic community as being legitimate and worthy of full partnership status within the academic community.

You would be surprised how many people (MD's, pharmacists, etc.) who don't realize that nurses can and do have advanced degrees. And why should they? ... if the medical assistant who checks people in at a clinic is refered to as a "nurse" and the nursing assistant who is in their patient's room is refered to by the patient as "my nurse" and on and on and on. With everyone in the nursing profession (at any level) all wearing the same outfits and calling themselves "nurse," why shouldn't people think we are all educated at the same level?

People who know me will either respect me or not based on what I do. But strangers have no idea who I am ... and as a short woman, people (male physicians in particular) have a tendency to be a little patronizing.

That's why I list my highest academic degree on my name badge (but not all the others -- that would be too many letters.) I like it when med students comment on it and I can answer, "Yes, I spent 7 years of graduate school. That's more than most physicians spend."

llg

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I have my degree on my badge cause management puts it on and because I am proud of it, just as other nurses are proud of theirs whether they have an ADN or Diploma or BSN.

The real problem with nursing is that we don't allow eachother to take enough pride in things. I have heard soooooooo many experienced nurses talk about the fact that their diploma hospital based programs were the end all and be all of nursing education, and have no problem with them wearing it on their badges. Similarly I am proud to have survived my program and wear the initials that gave me too. I think some people read too much into it, cause I am not doing it to help my fragile ego.

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I'm in a two year RN program now, but I have a BS in public and community health. Do those with degrees outside of nursing put their degree on their badges? Like RN, BS

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No one is asking why doctors have "MD" on their badges. We have worked hard to attain our statuses in nursing (whatever level we are) and should be very proud.

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.
Originally posted by nptobee

I'm in a two year RN program now, but I have a BS in public and community health. Do those with degrees outside of nursing put their degree on their badges? Like RN, BS

Yes. In the lab in which I work, all credentials of MS or Ph.D is listed on the name badge.

A couple of nurses I know have MBA after their RN.

When I've interviewed for jobs, the HR rep hands me her card which lists Mrs Human Resources, BSW.

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