People posing as "nurses"

[AmandaWIRN]

What is the deal with so many people on this site who list their job title in their profile as "Nurse" when they are not a nurse, or are still in nursing school??? I thought it was illegal to call yourself a nurse if you are not licensed as one. I can name a few members just off the top of my head who are not nurses, but have their job title listed as "nurse." I realize there is no way to verify people's credentials, but when they openly say that they are not a nurse or that they are still in school, should they still be allowed to call themselves a "nurse" in their profile or in any posts???

[cougarnurse]

Amanda, I appreciate the post! The other Mods and I have been discussing this problem, and have been fine tuning the site's updated Rules/Regs. We will be sure to address this...

[AprilRN]

I don't see why they'd want to? I have mine as RN...pending boards. I hope this is ok. I have graduated..and will be an RN when I pass. I wouldn't want to list myself as a nurse..especially when I was a new nursing student (or aid) I know it's just a message board..but I don't want people thinking I'm somehting I'm not...and defiantely wouldn't have wanted people taking my advice as an aid or student thinking I was an experienced nurse.

[TomB]

20 something years ago I worked at a hospital as a "Student Nurse Extern" (or SNE) while I was in clinials in school. Once we finished (graduated) nursing school we were called GN's for Graduate Nurses. At least in a hospital setting it would be a BIG deal if a GN had RN on his/her nametag. Plus GNs could do a lot more than SNEs.

But, this is just a discussion board, but I do believe it's very important to distinguish between students, nurses and visitors. Not sure how you would go about inforcing that, though.

I did read a post by you the other day AprilRN, which said something like I'll be graduating nursing school soon. It kind of bothered me. Nothing personal, I like reading your posts, but I always thought you were an RN. It felt like a deception or something.

PS: Don't feel bad AprilRN, it was not my intent. :-)

[AmandaWIRN]

I agree, Tom- I don't think that anyone should be putting RN after their name if they are not yet an RN- it is misleading.

[AprilRN]

20 something years ago I worked at a hospital as a "Student Nurse Extern" (or SNE) while I was in clinials in school. Once we finished (graduated) nursing school we were called GN's for Graduate Nurses. At least in a hospital setting it would be a BIG deal if a GN had RN on his/her nametag. Plus GNs could do a lot more than SNEs.

But, this is just a discussion board, but I do believe it's very important to distinguish between students, nurses and visitors. Not sure how you would go about inforcing that, though.

I did read a post by you the other day AprilRN, which said something like I'll be graduating nursing school soon. It kind of bothered me. Nothing personal, I like reading your posts, but I always thought you were an RN. It felt like a deception or something.

PS: Don't feel bad AprilRN, it was not my intent. :-)

I didn't take offense..BUT..I did put RN...pending boards. Which is what I am. I just figured it would save the question when I talked about studying for boards...asking if I'm going to be LPN or RN. And...when I signed up for this board...was already done with school...just waiting for the graduation ceremony.

[AprilRN]

ok- I'm a dunce lol. Sorry...It just occured to me that it's because of my user name. Should I delete my account...start a new one..then in a month redo it all when I take boards?

[cougarnurse]

April, you'll be ok; we just don't want it to become a widespread thing from now on.

'Cat'

[sierra_lpn]

Waving my credentials at the screen... :houra: Actually I play middle linebacker for the Oakland Raiders...but I dress up like a nurse every night!

Does that count?

[sierra_lpn]

I agree, Tom- I don't think that anyone should be putting RN after their name if they are not yet an RN- it is misleading.

I'm not opposed to students using things like "RN2B" or "RNStudent".


Hey! I just noticed I'm a "Junior Member!" Do I need a secret decoder ring to move up, or what?