I'm new here and this is my first post. I'm about to reach my one year as an RN in L&D and it's been very challenging, stressful, rewarding, everything. I know how hard it is to go through school and then the stress of passing your exam and finally trying to get into the workforce and once you get into the workforce, the reality of a career in nursing kind of hits. So I guess after all of that hard work, this situation with a friend bothers me maybe more than it should:
Initially, my friend was at the University of Michigan in hopes of becoming an RN. After 6 years and failing her courses, she decided to go into a 2 year LPN course instead and has been successful at it so far. This is her first year into the LPN course and already she is telling people that she is a nurse. For example, when anyone tells her about a sickness or an injury she begins her sentence with, "Well as a nurse, I recommend..." or even "The struggles of being a nurse" as though she has experienced it full on. She has never been paid in any nursing position and again, she is still in school to become an LPN. She'll also say things like "My job [as a nurse] is really stressful but I love it." It makes me cringe but I'm not a very aggressive person and so I don't speak up about it.
I just wanted to know your general thoughts on this. Maybe it's my pride as an ACTUAL nurse that makes me irk about this? Should I let it go? Am I making too big a deal of it? I personally feel that it is wrong to call yourself any profession if you are not certified yet. Thoughts?
this situation with a friend bothers me maybe more than it should:
It makes me cringe but I'm not a very aggressive person and so I don't speak up about it.
I just wanted to know your general thoughts on this. Maybe it's my pride as an ACTUAL nurse that makes me irk about this? Should I let it go? Am I making too big a deal of it? Thoughts?
(partial quote)
Legal issues aside, my personal philosophy is this: If something a coworker, friend, partner or family member says or does bothers or annoys me, I figure out exactly how important the specific issue really is to me. If I find that it bothers me a great deal I will address the issue with the person it concerns. I don't necessarily regard that as being aggressive, I think it's being straightforward or honest.
If on the other hand I find that it's not really the end of the world, I make a conscious decision to just let it go, and then I really do just that. I will no longer let it occupy space in my mind and drain me of valuble mental/emotional energy.
I don't know if this advice sounds sensible to you OP but I promise you, it really works for me :)
Hmm maybe aggressive is not the word I should have used. This is great advice though, as with everyone who has replied. It's interesting to see everyone's insights and how they would personally take on this situation. I'm going to bring it up once with her, see how she takes it, and then you're right - let it go and not let it occupy space. If she continues to do it, then she may one day find herself in a sticky legal situation IF something does go wrong. At that point, I can tell her that I gave her fair warning and advice.
A nursing student who calls herself a nurse and gives medical advice is actually rather scary, imo. I shudder to think what she will do if and when she actually gets the credentials but still doesn't understand the importance of "practicing within your scope."
I've seen many different posts about this same situation. Whether it be an MA or student or whatever calling themselves a nurse. I was bothered by it when working in a DR's office when the MA would be referred to as Dr so-and-so's nurse, considering I am actually a nurse. I had to have a conversation with myself. Obviously these people have insecurity issues but isn't imitation the biggest form of flattery? Maybe you could tell your "friend" gently that it bothers you when she says it because you worked hard for your title and add in there if someone believes she already holds a license and uses her advice she may be on the receiving end of ugly consequences.
Remind her that calling herself a nurse now could keep her from every actually becoming one if a complaint over what she's doing is made to the BON. What she's doing is considered fraud and is a felony.
A girl I know is a medical assistant and talks on facebook all the time about her life as a nurse. I just let it go. There's always those people who want to fluff themselves up. It's usually an insecurity thing.
I have a friend who is a CNA. She allows people to call her a nurse. She doesn't dissuade them. It irritates me because she allows the misconception. But I don't say anything. I'm not a nurse yet, either. I have only finished my CNA prerequisite, but I haven't had my state test yet (next week!), so I won't even call myself a CNA yet. I have to pass those boards first. That is the way it works - you have to earn the title.
You can tell she isnt a nurse because she actually gives out medical advice. No way in hell would I do that.
I'm right there with you. I either say one of three things , I'm sorry I don't feel comfortable giving you medical advice, you should contact your doctor/visit the ER/urgent care clinic or here is a triage nurse number.
I had occasion to change PCPs awhile back. At my first visit I was greeted by a well-dressed woman who sat me down with the laptop and began taking my history. I said, politely, "Have you been working here long?"
"I've been Dr. A's nurse for ten years."
Since she looked to be roughly my age, I said, "I'm a nurse, too, went to XYZ University in town. Where did you go to school, around here?"
Pause. "I'm a medical assistant."
Pause. Quietly, "Mmmm. Did you know it's not legal to call yourself a nurse if you're not?"
She finished up and hurried out.
When the MD came in to see me, I mentioned that her assistant had told me she had been her nurse for ten years, and said I didn't think that was OK since she was a MA. She agreed with me and was surprised, and said she'd take care of it. Education, education, education.
nurseprnRN, BSN, RN
1 Article; 5,116 Posts
I am in a position to give advice all the time, and I do. But I never, never exceed my scope of practice, and this notanLPN is.