CNA's are NOT Nurses! Even my instructors told our class--Never introduce yoursel to your clients as a Nurse. Introduce yourself as a CNA, or NA. I agree with most of the posts here. CNA's are totally different then your LPN and RN's.

DaMomb said:

ButterflyWings00 said:

I think belittling an LPN’’s status as a nurse is much the same as belittling an NP, for the simple fact that an NP isn’t quite a doctor… Each person, each position is what it is. All are worthwhile. All are worthy of respect, and each person should be proud of the status they have achieved.

I couldn't agree more! I started in the medical field as a CNA at the age of 15. I got very little respect. But I never called myself a nurse, or alluded to having that title, and I was proud to be able to help people the way that I know I did. As a LPN at the age of 19, I got very little respect from the CNA's due to the fact that I was 1/2 their age at the time. But I was proud to have that title; I earned it, and I earned the respect of the staff by not forgetting my roots in the profession. I was someone they learned that they could depend on, and I would stop my charting to help out on the floor a lot. Now, I have one year for my RN, and can't seem to find the time to get back to school.

Another point that was made, that I agree with is: there isn't a whole lot that a RN does, that a LPN can't. Technically speaking this may be true, however, LPN's cannot work under their own license like RN's can. We still need to be supervised.

Just out of interest, in Australia CNA's are called AIN's, (Assistants in Nursing)... they don't get employed in major hospitals mostly nursing homes, but are considered part of the nursing fraternity. The way to introduce themselves is to say 'I'm an assistant to the nurse"... also the Techs are called 'wardspersons' and wear such a different uniform that the confusion is rare. It's funny in our hospital the uniforms are what confuse patients as the catering staff and office admin staff wear similar shirts to the nurses and even they get called 'nurse' if they are in the vicinity of a patient... especially among the eldlerly.. it can be quite funny to see a kitchen hand being asked to get a bed pan by a patient toilet... they quickly correct them! hee hee

Also have EEN's, Endorsed (medication) Enrolled Nurses who do everything RN's do except give S8 drugs , cannulate and insert catheters, can still give IV drugs tho .. its strange... yet get several dollars less and hour, it's almost silly not to do the further year of study.
they really are called Nurses too :)

cuttie said:

Well, in the first place, the person did say she or he was not the nurse. Maybe you should of as them what was their title. You can't imposed this on everyone that comes in a person room with scrubs on. This was a different situation, from someone calling out NURSE.!!!

Well folks lets get real!!! Registered Nurses work damn hard for their license, and they should be the only ones deserving of the title. One can really open up a bag of worms, when there are patient complaints like " The Nurse didn't come when I called""or The Nurse just kept walking when I called her". I think it is imperitive that all staff should introduce themselves when first meeting any patient or visitor. It would save time in the longrun, alleviate inappropriate complaints, and also get the job done in a more effective manner. If a CNA wants to refer to themselves as the nurse...LET THEM GO TO SCHOOL!

RNdude said:

No, Katherine. Being a CNA does not qualify you to introduce yourself as a nurse. This is simply because they are not one. And, yes, they should introduce themselves as a CNA. There is no shame in being a CNA or equivalent, but misrepresentation by alluding that they are a licensed Nurse is completely inappropriate. When I was a tech in our ER going through nursing school, I introduced myself as a "tech". It is an honor to call oneself a Nurse and I did not deserve that honor until I earned it.

I agree. We need to "call" ourselves what we really are, not what we hope to be or wish we were. LOL

I'm in school to be a RN. I don't call myself one yet because I'm not. I always say I'm a RN nursing student. 

Ok I have read all these posts and believe me some of them were quite interesting.  I wholeheartedly agree that a CNA should not introduce themselves as a nurse.  I have worked as a CNA and then RN.  Sorry never was an LPN.  I know that most LPN are used and abused but they still by legality don't have the responsibilies as an RN.  Most LPN's I have worked with really should have gotten off their butts and gone back to school because they were damn good at their job but just didn't get the education to back up their skills.  It all comes down to the fact that no matter what the RN is the responsible party.  The one perplexing question is that as a profession don't you think that we bring about this concern ourselves.  No other professional group has so many disciplines to hold one main objective.  I have never belittled anyone that works with me and I don't go around saying well she/he is just an associate nurse and I am a bachelor's prepared nurse.  An LPN is just restricted by state laws on what they are able to do.  In essence it comes down to education.  If you want to be called the nurse educate yourself and then you will understand the difference between each dicipline.

nrubi77 says ...

PittNurse said:

Ok, so I don't this sounds like a meanie post, but I am tired of CNAs calling themselves nurse to patients and family members. I'm an RN, and I would never call myself an NP, so CNAs should not call themselves RNs. I was visiting my dad in the hospital (nothing major - gallstones) and this CNA called herself a nurse, the nerve. I'm interested to hear what others have to say. Have you ever been in this sort of situation?

Honestly, i would have to disagree . Who the flip cares for one and two if you think about it the definition CNA is: certified NURSING assistant right? I think you should back off and leave her alone she is proud what she does. Im sorry how old are you and what are you in high school--- grow up and get a life. Maybe you should stop worrying about what others are doing and take a look at yourself. You sound like one of those nurses who do nothing but gossip and a drama queen if you ask me. It's really not that serious! NEXT....! Maybe you should consider posting something worth reading.....! I am very thankful of CNA's b/c they have it worse then most of us in the hospital's. Would you like to wipe asses all day....? I think not b/c you really sound too stuck up...!

In every post when it comes to the workplace, I have always been thankful for the LPN's who save our butt.  I am also grateful  for  cna who helps me move a patient from the bed to the bedside commode and help me do their bath..............that was my job in nursing school, and I teched in the ER.  I am extrememly grateful for the MA that works for my doc and gives me my flu shot every year. 

However, its MY license on the line when it comes to that patients care in the hosp.  If somebody has an adverse reaction to blood infusion, its not the cna's fault, its the RN.  Personally, if an RN were to gloat her role over a cna, Id call her on the carpet <in private of course..  A good cna in the hospital is much harder to keep  than an LPN or RN.  So.........as an RN who worked her ass of in nursing school as an ER tech, selling shoes, waiting tables, and working for my flippin parents travel agency so I could feed my kids and heat our home while in nursing school, I CARE.   An LPN works too hard for her license to throw it away as well so we have earned our title.

.  This is NO disrespect to all LPN's, MA's, CMA's and CNA's.  Its got to be teamwork but I do NOT take my license for granted, I think big fat nametags could solve alot of those problems.

Nope, I'm happy; my organization gives us the big eyesore nametags even Mr. Magoo could read! 

ckruszka says ...

Having been an LPN and then an RN with a BSN, I can say I've seen both sides of the coin so to speak. When I was an LPN, I used to think that I was not that different from RN's other than a year or more of school. I used to chaffe when I was referred to as just an LPN. I worked just as hard as the other nurses who were RN's,and sometimes could run circles around some of them.

I was always told I was a good nurse and should go back to school. I decided to get my BSN, so I would not have another degree level above my head. When I went back to school, my attitude was at first that if you could be an LPN, you could certainly be an RN. Then I actually experienced RN school.

Wow, what a difference! RN school was much more detailed in all aspects of nursing. Critical thinking was crammed down my throat.I was sick of that term by the time I graduated. I earned that degree with sweat,stress, and tears. Now I see the difference. It is a big difference to say the least. I will now say that there is a difference in titles.

As was posted by some, the weight of responsibilty I felt after becoming an RN was palpable. No longer could I run to the RN when I was unsure of something. I was now the RN to be the one others would come to. That hit me like a ton of bricks. As the LPN I always knew that if I was unsure or having a trouble with a skill, I could ask the RN charge nurse or another RN on the floor.

I now see the enourmous difference in education. I know alot more and understand rationales b/c of the knowledge I recieved in RN school.

I still have utmost respect for CNA's and LPN's. They are vital to nursing. But, I also will say, RN's do earn their degrees and should be respected for that also.

Well said.  I just graduated and look back on all that I have gone through to get this degree and for someone who is not an nurse to say that they are is just wrong IMO.  Yeah you may have nurse in your title ex: NA or CNA but you are still not a nurse.  And don't beat me up for saying that because I have been a PCT and a secretary and being a NA or CNA is nothing like being a nurse and having to be responsible for everyone and everything.   Like you said you are the go to person you can't say oh let me get your nurse.  You are the nurse. 

Well said nurse Corie.

Look, if titles didn't matter then there would not be any. There is a reason for a title. Yes there are experienced and well educated CNA's and LPN's who do a great job. I would never take that away from anyone. But, when push comes to shove, b/c RN means degree, RN's are considered responsible for LPN's and CNA's actions.RN's can only delegate tasks that are in the scope of that preson's practice.If they don't and something goes wrong, guess what? the RN is held accountable.

That is because the RN is the person with the "critical thinking" skills and supposed to have more knowledge. Notice I said supposed, cause not all RN's know what they are doing. I've worked with some where I had to wonder how they got licensed. Again, they had the title.

That's why I went back to school. I was tired of feeling inadequate b/c I did not have a degree, and yet I was a pretty smart cookie.My title, I felt, was dragging me down and limiting my skills.

I disagree.

Example:  A mother = A nurse. Simple as that.

On duty, however, you can not call yourself as a nurse if you do not have atleast LPN.

Sure, happens all the time in the hospital, a male being referred to as a 'doctor,'

I always corrected them, but I always told them I'm not a "physician." The MD's monopolize the term 'doctor,' but I, along with lots of other RN's, I DO have a doctorate. We generally only use the title in a formal setting (instructor in a school, lecturer, etc), but MD's insist on the 'doctor' title at all times!

I used to park in the "Doctors Only" parking lots. They finally got wise and most facilities have made it the "Physicians Only" lot. LOL

     In my adult working life I have worked the ladder from CNA to LPN to RN to RN, OCN.  I have been proud of every stage doing my dream of "NURSING" at all these levels.  To Butterfly"s post, and to ALL I'd like to stress - be proud of who you are and what you do.  Never EVER introduce your self as "I am JUST the (whatever)."  This applies to all areas of our life.  Don't ever see yourself as JUST the Mom, JUST the babysitter, ANYTHING!  Know and believe in your worth at everything you do.  Every member of the team is vital, and cannot exist without the other.

     As far as the original post, yes it drives me nuts.  I have listened to many misrepresent themself.  It is extremely disrespectful to all who have sweated through the dreaded nursing school clinical, finals, BOARDS.  I loved the analogy of a legal secretary introducing themself as an attorney!