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

Nurses General Nursing

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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

When I pick up a patient in pre-op, they don't care if their nurse has an ADN instead of a BSN. That's not what matters to them. Rather, they are more concerned with making it through surgery and waking up in recovery. :)

The hospital where I work lets nurses choose what they want on their name badges. Within the intraoperative depts. most badges simply show 'RN'. There is no difference in responsibility or in pay whatsoever.

There is also no difference in R.E.S.P.E.C.T..

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I sacrificed things while in college because even though I was living with my parents, I still had to pay for things like gas, books, food, uniforms and my car. My parents paid my car insurance for me while I was in college and didn't charge rent. So I worked 3 to 4 days a week(8 hour shifts) in a restaurant near my home to afford those necessities.

I stated in an earlier post that I had started out at a diploma based hospital school of nursing but flunked out. There were only 2 other colleges in my hometown area that offered nursing programs. One was a Catholic private university and the other a public state university. It was cheaper for me to go to the state school for 4 years than to go to the Private school for 2 years for an ADN. Since I had to pay for college myself, I chose to go to the 4 year program. At that time, I didn't know in what direction that I wanted to go with nursing, so I decided that I would be better off obtaining the BSN.

And what does learning Spanish have to do with this topic?

First I question if it was cheaper to attend the state univerisity vs. the private college since you would had been employed for two years longer collecting a salary? But that is not the point.

I don't see what you've written as a sacrifice, but rather choices you made for something you wanted. You obviously wanted a BSN since there were more options in nursing you could chose to make throughout your career. A person who sacrifices many things is someone like my sister-in-law who is giving the best life possible for her autistic son. It isn't a life she would have choosen and wishes she had a healthy son. But this family will be making ongoing sacrifices with their time, finances and this will most likely be a life long committment for both the parents and perhaps the siblings. Going to family events can be difficult and many times they must leave early due to my nephew's behavior. They also had to sacrifice their dreams of what their son could have been.

Spanish was an off topic sentence to your response listing your language you took in college. I'm sure, like many nurses today, we are finding that being able to speak Spanish an assest with the changing population. It isn't important point.

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.

To some patients, knowing that you are a NURSE is enough for them.

So by the logic listed in this thread, LPN and RN should also be removed from the name badges. It is a credential just as much as the BSN is. Badges should simply state "staff nurse" and that be that. LPN vs RN in most areas doesn't necessarily imply job role or function either. In some institutions/states, LPNs carry out the same bedside duties as an RN.

Also, DON or Patient Care Manager is not a credential. Should these function heads have "RN" removed from their badges as well because RN no longer applies to their role??

You're right, some patients don't care about the educational level of the nurse caring for them. And that is a tragedy. Some patients DO care, and that is promising. But again, I still do not see why some people have a problem with me having BSN on my name badge. Next thing you are going to tell me is that I cannot sign my name that way as well.

This same logic also applies to ANY pins, breast cancer awareness, AIDS awareness, cutesy little nurse pins, whatever. All these do not function as security and ID on the name badge, so those should be eliminated as well.

:rolleyes:

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Originally posted by KC CHICK

When I pick up a patient in pre-op, they don't care if their nurse has an ADN instead of a BSN. That's not what matters to them. Rather, they are more concerned with making it through surgery and waking up in recovery. :)

The hospital where I work lets nurses choose what they want on their name badges. Within the intraoperative depts. most badges simply show 'RN'. There is no difference in responsibility or in pay whatsoever.

There is also no difference in RESPECT.

The above message has been my experience also while working at two different hospitals on a surgical and medical floor.

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Originally posted by Susy K

To some patients, knowing that you are a NURSE is enough for them.

So by the logic listed in this thread, LPN and RN should also be removed from the name badges. It is a credential just as much as the BSN is. Badges should simply state "staff nurse" and that be that. LPN vs RN in most areas doesn't necessarily imply job role or function either. In some institutions/states, LPNs carry out the same bedside duties as an RN.

LPN and RN are not credentials, they are licenses mandated to be on a name badge by the State Board of Health. BSN, ADN or a credential are not.

You are wrong if you do not see a difference in LPN/RN. There are two different job descriptions, RNs are in a supervisor role and we have two different type of licensures. Even in nursing homes, there are areas that differentiate a RN/LPN. If I need a narc. given IV for pain, I explain to my patient that a RN must do this and I will return with a RN to give this medication. I've talk to nurses that are LPNs outstate and they all say there are areas that they are unable to do with the type of licensure they have.

The day the LPNs and RNs take the same state boards, I'll see your point.

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Also, DON or Patient Care Manager is not a credential. Should these function heads have "RN" removed from their badges as well because RN no longer applies to their role??

I think you are arguing for the sake of arguing at this point if you don't see why a job title is important on a name badge. People need to know who is the staff RN/LPN/CNA as well as the DON and nurse managers. These roles and jobs are all different.

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You're right, some patients don't care about the educational level of the nurse caring for them. And that is a tragedy.

Patients want excellent quality safe care and unless you can state a four year degree will ensure this, then what is your point.

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But again, I still do not see why some people have a problem with me having BSN on my name badge. Next thing you are going to tell me is that I cannot sign my name that way as well.

Sign whatever title you want or put on your badge whatever you wish. I'm certainly not your boss. You really taking this topic way out there and the only thing is irritiating is I'm wasting my time answering these ridiculous messages.

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Firstly, thank you all for the clarifications, and also to KC for the refreshing common sense approach. With all the current problems besetting nursing, one would expect such highly educated individuals to be spending their time better than fretting about what is on their badge. Perhaps my I was closer with my first interpretation of the letters B.S?.....

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Firstly, thank you all for the clarifications, and also to KC for the refreshing common sense approach. With all the current problems besetting nursing, one would expect such highly educated individuals to be spending their time better than fretting about what is on their badge. Perhaps my I was closer with my first interpretation of the letters B.S?.....;)

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I wear my pin to distinguish myself from my CNAs and QMAs, and other nurses. I am a BSN, I have had more education than most and I want to flaunt it! I worked hard to get here and I'll continue to work to keep up.

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In a day and time where patients still think that everybody that walks in their room is a nurse (even RT, CNA, etc.), and that nurses are glorified maids...it is important to me to have my credentials visible. It doesn't matter whether its a pride thing or an ego thing...bottom-line...it serves an an EDUCATIONAL THING for the patients and their families.

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