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

[Medic_Kev]

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

[mcl4]

Originally posted by chigap

I spent alot of time and money getting a college degree. I get so offended when people ask me about "nursing school." It's demeaning. I politely inform them that I didn't go to 'nursing school', I went to college." It makes me sick when I think about the fact that alot of people don't even realize that colleges offer degrees in nursing.

Diploma nursing programs are less seen today so nurses are generally educated through a community, state, or private college. I really question if the general public doesn't realize that nursing programs are in colleges today. I think most people understand that a college or an univeristy setting is where nurses receive their education.

I'm not a snob, I have a college education -- I didn't go to nursing school and I'm tired of being demeaned by other nurses because I chose to enter nursing through a university. If nothing more, nurses who wear "BSN" on their name tags are educating the public.

The public or patients want nurses who are able to educate them about their disease or illness, a procedure and many other areas when they are under our care. I doubt many patients would ask you to tell them about your eduational history, but rather have you tell them about what to expect during a procedure, what they need to know when they go home, or giving them information about a new medication to name just a few examples.

[mcl4]

as an evolving profession vs. a stagnant "vocation".

In regard to the statement, "Personally myself being a military man I find the position you hold carries more clout than your degree" I believe that a prerequisite of a commissioned officer in the Navy Nurse Corps (as well as the Air Force and Army), is a bachelor's degree in nursing. Clearly, the U.S. military recognizes the importance of education and rewards its soldiers with "higher positions" accordingly. Additionally, if commissioned officers are recognized with salutes from the enlisted soldiers (regardless of the enlisted position) and are addressed as "Sir" or "Mam", (as well as the ensigns on their uniform), then a nurse wearing BSN, or MNSc on his/her badge would seem very appropriate to say the least.

This is comparing apples to oranges by showing how the military recognizes education. A RN who graduates from any type of nursing program, takes the same boards and many times has the same job description regardless with the fact that they received an ADN, diploma or BSN. Job responsiblities should and does distinguish a nurse. One way this is done is by listing on a name badge whether you are a staff RN, a supervisor, nurse manager or DON. What differentiates a RN is their position and increase job responsiblities. Many supervisors do have their bachelor or master degree in nursing, but several don't in the hospitals and nursing home I've work or have worked at. I hope we don't come to adopting the military's way of showing their educational achievements by having others salute and call them sir or mam.

[nurs4kids]

prmenrs.. I apologize. I DID overlook the diploma programs. It's ashamed those programs are not as prominent as they used to be. I have never worked with a diploma nurse that did not have the best knowledge base on the unit. You guys are the backbone of nursing as we know it today.

I have to agree with susy k's comment...WHY SHOULD NURSES NOT WEAR THEIR CREDENTIALS ON THEIR BADGES??

[prmenrs, RN]

Thanks, nurs4kids, Ippreciate that.

[prmenrs, RN]

Thanks, nurs4kids, I appreciate that.

I think several of us are saying the same things. Whatever you earned and wish to have on your ID should BE there. If your hospital doesn't do that, I don't know what you can do. Maybe a petition to the DON? (not to be confused with the Godfather movie!!! )

[mcl4]

I have to agree with susy k's comment...WHY SHOULD NURSES NOT WEAR THEIR CREDENTIALS ON THEIR BADGES?? [/b]

Name badges are meant to show the names of personel and distinguish job titles and licensure and not your education history in my opinion. Name badges are also use for security by showing you are a staff member of an institution and/or a particular department.

[Jason-ACNP]

Posted by mcl4 "job descriptions and responsibilities between a staff RN who has received their education through a two, three or four year nursing program are the same. In the twenty years as an LPN, I've yet to be able to see the difference in nursing care based on education. I see no reason why a nurse would require more the RN on their name badge"

Really? Do you mean to imply that my statement regarding the U.S. military is a farce? It isn't true that the greatest military strength in the free world recognizes the distinct differences between the education of a baccalaureate degree nurse versus other registered nurses? Indeed a travesty on my part. My apologies for the error. Yet, I am unable to comprehend why it is that graduate programs don't allow ALL registered nurses regardless of their education to pursue a higher education? I'm at a loss... Wait... could it be...ahh...yes... of course... there actually are differences in their education! That's it! Whew!!! I was at a loss (momentarily)J

You are right however. Few healthcare institutions could care less what credentials an RN has behind her or his name unless they are advanced practice nurses. Why?

Because nursing is inundated with those whose education is primarily limited to a diploma or associate degree. To hospital administrators (in the vast majority of hospitals, but not necessarily YOUR hospital), YOU are nothing more than a warm body dutifully executing your tasks. Does that mean that these nurses are inferior? Of course not. To the contrary in most cases. Yet, for the aforementioned reason, mainstream nursing will simply not gain the respect it deserves. Unfortunate? Yes. Unfair? Of course. Yet, due to the "vocational" education of most nurses, the GENERAL PUBLIC (vs. the many families of patients whose lives you saved) DOES view mainstream bedside nursing as a laborious, thankless "job" (vs. career) that primarily entails passing out bed pans, giving bed baths, hand feeding patients, etc. In essence, nurses are often viewed as "mindless" recorders of blood pressures and I&Os.

You can argue this point until you are cyanotic and give 1 billion examples of how you can prove me wrong, but it simply doesn't matter because this is one time that I am right (which is rare:)). I worked in 14 states as a traveling nurse. The perception of nursing is a UNIVERSAL VIEW!

YES!!!! This is unfortunate!!!! YES!!!! This is a disgrace!!! And NO, it DOES NOT MEAN THAT BSN nurses are better prepared to carry out nursing duties!! In fact there may be some truth that BSNs are inferior to task oriented bedside nurses because many of these students spent time in classes preparing them for research at the graduate level (and yes, research is important whether you know how to truly utilize it or not) as well as advanced health assessment classes. I'll be the first to admit that it took me several weeks to master "bed-making" skills in the ICU because we simply were not trained to do so. There are numerous technical skills that RNs and LPNs with lesser education can do better than me. Yet, I'm not so modest to refrain from exclaiming that I a damn good ANP who has excellent critical thinking skills and can perform advanced "technical skills" (i.e. central line placement, chest tube placement, suturing, etc) allowed within my scope of practice. We ALL bring different skills at different levels to the playing field.

This brings me to my final point. There is one thing that nurses can do to save face, regardless of their education. They can learn to respect themselves and each other and appreciate the different background that each comes from. The internal dissension within nursing in part has led to its dismal demise. While we should all have a common goal, nursing is divided by jealously and insecurity. Who gives a damn what an RN puts behind his or her name? Does it make you any less of a nurse because you don't have certain credentials? Does it make you any better of a nurse if you do? Your integrity (or lack thereof) and the attitude you exude to your patients and colleagues speaks volumes (and certainly more than initials.) The flip side to that is that no one should ever apologize for displaying credentials because she or he chose to pursue a higher education. Anyone who feels that they owe a reason for displaying their education is lacking a backbone.

Support one another. Encourage one another. Teach one another. But for the love of God, quit going at each other's throats...it is embarrassing. The irony is that while nursing is about healing and saving lives, there are so many nurses who could suck the life out of a gnat. What a waste of energy and talent.

Jason-MNSc, ACNP (Uh-oh.... I displayed my credentials....Geesshhh...the nerve of me... it must be the grandiosity that dwells within)

:) :D

[mcl4]

Originally posted by Jason-ACNP

Posted by mcl4 "job descriptions and responsibilities between a staff RN who has received their education through a two, three or four year nursing program are the same. In the twenty years as an LPN, I've yet to be able to see the difference in nursing care based on education. I see no reason why a nurse would require more the RN on their name badge"

Really? Do you mean to imply that my statement regarding the U.S. military is a farce? It isn't true that the greatest military strength in the free world recognizes the distinct differences between the education of a baccalaureate degree nurse versus other registered nurses? Indeed a travesty on my part. My apologies for the error. Yet, I am unable to comprehend why it is that graduate programs don't allow ALL registered nurses regardless of their education to pursue a higher education? I'm at a loss... Wait... could it be...ahh...yes... of course... there actually are differences in their education! That's it! Whew!!! I was at a loss (momentarily)J

Your are missing the point. There is a difference in education, but a staff RN has the same responsiblities, job description or duties that are required of him/her. Where on earth did you read I said the military was a farce. What I did say is you can not compare how education will affect how a person is looked upon in the military vs. a staff nurse.

You are right however. Few healthcare institutions could care less what credentials an RN has behind her or his name unless they are advanced practice nurses. Why?

Because they perform the same job. The last I heard, there is a fifty cent increase in pay per hour for a BSN.

Because nursing is inundated with those whose education is primarily limited to a diploma or associate degree. To hospital administrators (in the vast majority of hospitals, but not necessarily YOUR hospital), YOU are nothing more than a warm body dutifully executing your tasks. Does that mean that these nurses are inferior? Of course not. To the contrary in most cases. Yet, for the aforementioned reason, mainstream nursing will simply not gain the respect it deserves. Unfortunate? Yes. Unfair? Of course. Yet, due to the "vocational" education of most nurses, the GENERAL PUBLIC (vs. the many families of patients whose lives you saved) DOES view mainstream bedside nursing as a laborious, thankless "job" (vs. career) that primarily entails passing out bed pans, giving bed baths, hand feeding patients, etc. In essence, nurses are often viewed as "mindless" recorders of blood pressures and I&Os.

I disagree. I believe the public is knowledgeable on the increase skills and responsiblites a nurse has today. I don't see them thinking of us as mindless.

[RNforLongTime]

50 cents/hr differential for having a BSN? I have worked at 2 different hospitals in my 4 year career and neither place has offered a degree differential!

[mcl4]

This brings me to my final point. There is one thing that nurses can do to save face, regardless of their education. They can learn to respect themselves and each other and appreciate the different background that each comes from. The internal dissension within nursing in part has led to its dismal demise. While we should all have a common goal, nursing is divided by jealously and insecurity.

Jealousy and insecurity is not something I've seen in the recent years of nursing. If anything, we've pulled more together with the shortage of nurses. Where I work, we perform as a team and help each other in order to make it through a shift these days.

Who gives a damn what an RN puts behind his or her name? Does it make you any less of a nurse because you don't have certain credentials? Does it make you any better of a nurse if you do? Your integrity (or lack thereof) and the attitude you exude to your patients and colleagues speaks volumes (and certainly more than initials.) The flip side to that is that no one should ever apologize for displaying credentials because she or he chose to pursue a higher education. Anyone who feels that they owe a reason for displaying their education is lacking a backbone.

Support one another. Encourage one another. Teach one another. But for the love of God, quit going at each other's throats...it is embarrassing. The irony is that while nursing is about healing and saving lives, there are so many nurses who could suck the life out of a gnat. What a waste of energy and talent.

Who says we don't support one another. It is a message board and the topic is being debated. That is it and nothing more.

These discussion don't come up in real life at work. The rare exception was last night at work looking at our state board nursing letter and noting the lower scores from nurses who graduated with a BSN from private colleges and state universities. The only comment that came from us was that we were surprised. I believe a potential student should look at these results before applying to a nursing program no matter what type of diploma/degree they are looking at.

[BrandyBSN]

Degree Diff is $1.50 an hour here for a BSN. Its not just nurses that shoudl have their degree on the badges, its Docs too! We have a lot of DOs here, and a couple MDs, and they have their degree after their name. and believe me, i have had MANY patients inquire about what my educational history is, and what I have done in school besides nursing.

Thank God my hospital puts the degrees on the badges, so I would never have to worry about this. Its important to me! personally, if I was sick, and the many times I have been to the hospital as a patient, i DO care what degree my nurse has. Not because the BSN is necessarily a better nurse, but because I want to know what type of commitment my nurse has put into her education.

[mcl4]

Originally posted by kaknurse

50 cents/hr differential for having a BSN? I have worked at 2 different hospitals in my 4 year career and neither place has offered a degree differential!

Do you believe you should be paid more then an ADN? You did list that you went into debt and invested a significant amount of time to obtain your BSN. Do you plan to utilize your degree beyond being a staff nurse or perhaps you have already done this? Do you think there is a difference in how a staff RN delivers care based on education?