Nursing White Coat Ceremony?

[Lawpy]

DNPs cannot introduce themselves as "doctor" so and so in a hospital setting unless they clarify that they are not a physician.

In 8 states, it is illegal for them to introduce themselves as "doctor" so-and-so even with this rejoinder in the hospital setting.

The reason why many of them do it is because they want to be mistaken for actual physicians. The whole purpose of the DNP degree is so that it becomes confusing for patients to tell the difference. There is absolutely no difference between the clinical skills/knowledgebase of a regular NP and a DNP.

Thats a problem with the hospital culture then. One lawsuit would solve that very quickly.

This is why you see many hospitals have badges like this:

^^^ These badges came about because of lawsuits at least peripherally related to problems with patients not knowing who was treating them. I can guarantee you that hospital lawyers are NOT ok with Nurse Practitioners introducing them as "doctor so-and-so".

Its funny they would do that in Texas, which is one of the most restrictive (safest) states for NP practice. They cannot practice without physician supervision.

So, does this mean a white coat is useless and just for show (since everyone wears it)? And suggests that badges are the most reliable means of identifying who's who?

Don't see why medical schools require students to wear short white coats around if everyone can wear white coats without an issue. It only leads to unnecessary confusion and problems.

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[GinnyWeasley]

My friend is getting a bachelor's in dental hygiene. They had a white coat ceremony, too. Everyone and their mother is doing it now, apparently.

Seriously? Next thing you know medical assistant programs will have a white coat ceremony.

 

[Sardinia]

@GinnyWeasley There are hospitals where social workers wear white coats. NPs wear white coats. PAs wear white coats. And doctors are often the only ones not wearing any white coat.

I don't understand this base level fascination with attire.

 

[darkjedi]

@GinnyWeasley There are hospitals where social workers wear white coats. NPs wear white coats. PAs wear white coats. And doctors are often the only ones not wearing any white coat.

The research assistants who run around my hospital, who are probably premeds themselves, also wear white coats. I honestly don't really like the white coat all that much.

 

[zurc2014]

Even in those states, few actually work truly independently. Most NPs aren't comfortable taking the liability and find a doc to sign their charts once a week to absorb any potential fallout on them. If they lose their safety net, they'll quickly stop treating anything more complex than a cold.

Once I had to explain to an NP the symptoms of a salivary stone. He'd been practicing for over 5 years. This level of ineptitude is not a rare occurrence. PLEASE give them independent practice rights. After a couple of tragic national news stories, patients will know what a nurse practitioner is because they'll be so afraid that they won't even see them in a dependent role. Furthermore, malpractice will skyrocket to the point that they'd make more as an RN.



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Agreed.

 

[Sardinia]

The research assistants who run around my hospital, who are probably premeds themselves, also wear white coats. I honestly don't really like the white coat all that much.

Do you think hospitals have an underlying agenda by not enforcing a hard policy when it comes to distinguishing set attire between healthcare professionals?

Also unit floors: formal business attire (with a jacket/blazer + slacks). ER: scrubs. OR: ...

 

[zero0]

Seriously? Next thing you know medical assistant programs will have a white coat ceremony.

And why shouldn't they? They're just as important as everyone else.

Give the janitors one too while we're at it and call them hazardous waste disposal specialists. The only problem is janitors probably wouldn't wear them. They don't have the kind inferiority complex that calls for wearing a thick, impractical cesspool of germs around so people can see how important they are.

 

[Sardinia]

And why shouldn't they? They're just as important as everyone else. Give the janitors one too while we're at it and call them hazardous waste disposal specialists. The only problem is janitors probably wouldn't wear them. They don't have the kind inferiority complex that calls for wearing a thick, impractical cesspool of germs around so people can see how important they are.

That feeling when your memory chooses to remember the subplot to S4 E1 of House in which he pays a janitor to be his diagnosis springboard (white coat and all), but forgot everything related to physio.

Spoiler

 

[zurc2014]

And why shouldn't they? They're just as important as everyone else.

Give the janitors one too while we're at it and call them hazardous waste disposal specialists. The only problem is janitors probably wouldn't wear them. They don't have the kind inferiority complex that calls for wearing a thick, impractical cesspool of germs around so people can see how important they are.

Word. Ima be straight scrubs, scope, and swag...

 

[Med Ed]

Not trying to start any argument against nursing or anything, but one of my good friends just had her white coat ceremony at the nursing school where she's going for her BSN. I know most therapy students and PAs do this as well. Is this a new thing for a bachelors in nursing? I've never heard of BSN students having a white coat. Sometimes I feel bad for patients as they probably see most of the staff wearing white coats and have no idea if the person is the PT, nurse, PA, doctor etc lol. Just curious.

A short history of the white coat ceremony, which is only 23 years old, can be found here. It took very little time to spread to medical schools all over the country, in part because the Arnold P. Gold Foundation (which started the whole thing) gives money to schools that do one.

The same foundation is now providing money to nursing schools that want to establish parallel traditions.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Even in those states, few actually work truly independently. Most NPs aren't comfortable taking the liability and find a doc to sign their charts once a week to absorb any potential fallout on them. If they lose their safety net, they'll quickly stop treating anything more complex than a cold.

People are stupid. Many people think NPs are better because they are trained in nursing and medicine. They think doctors are money hungry and only in it to bill as much as possible, and that nurses must be in it for the patients because 1) they are nurses, and 2) nurses get paid way less than doctors.

Until more med students go into primary care, NPs will continue to get independent practice rights because someone needs to be a PCP and not enough doctors want to do it.

Once I had to explain to an NP the symptoms of a salivary stone. He'd been practicing for over 5 years. This level of ineptitude is not a rare occurrence. PLEASE give them independent practice rights. After a couple of tragic national news stories, patients will know what a nurse practitioner is because they'll be so afraid that they won't even see them in a dependent role. Furthermore, malpractice will skyrocket to the point that they'd make more as an RN.



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Exactly. My friend is an FNP. She quit her clinic job and went back to practicing as an RN because she realized how woefully unprepared she was to practice medicine.

 

[SydSing]

Go to UTSW and Parkland....they give no F's....

I also work at UTSW and frequent Parkland. The fellow and MD/PhD students in my lab have clearly marked badges, as does my PI. I know you didn't mention Children's but their badges are even more clear.

Maybe I simply haven't seen a DNP but the others seem to be fine.

Edit: They aren't bright and color coded so perhaps your point was that the patient might not notice immediately?

 

[kawi609]

Not trying to start any argument against nursing or anything, but one of my good friends just had her white coat ceremony at the nursing school where she's going for her BSN. I know most therapy students and PAs do this as well. Is this a new thing for a bachelors in nursing? I've never heard of BSN students having a white coat. Sometimes I feel bad for patients as they probably see most of the staff wearing white coats and have no idea if the person is the PT, nurse, PA, doctor etc lol. Just curious.

You first have to get into med school before you can make an argument about RN, BSN, NP, and PA wearing the white coat before you have any right to say who shouldn't wear one js.........

 

[LizzyM]

In South America, children wear white coats to school. Imagine how confused some immigrants are in the hospital. 😉

 

[JustAPhD]

You first have to get into med school before you can make an argument about RN, BSN, NP, and PA wearing the white coat before you have any right to say who shouldn't wear one js.........

Nice, be condescending to the premed for asking a valid question.

The white coat ceremony is quickly expanding well past the traditional MD/DO-only programs. Some PhD programs in the life sciences now have them too (JHU and Case come to mind), so it appears we've gone full circle. A clinical colleague of mine once said "the white coat is a much bigger deal until you actually get one."

 

[kawi609]

Why is a RN question in the MD pre med forum?

 

[sleepyhead22]

Why is a RN question in the MD pre med forum?

why does your status say "medical student" when you are in a RRT program? I don't think you're really in a place to talk down to a fellow pre-med.

 

[Mad Jack]

Not trying to start any argument against nursing or anything, but one of my good friends just had her white coat ceremony at the nursing school where she's going for her BSN. I know most therapy students and PAs do this as well. Is this a new thing for a bachelors in nursing? I've never heard of BSN students having a white coat. Sometimes I feel bad for patients as they probably see most of the staff wearing white coats and have no idea if the person is the PT, nurse, PA, doctor etc lol. Just curious.

White cost ceremonies are a new thing anyway, they started in the late 80s. As to the coat itself, I'm just shirking off coats entirely when it comes time to practice- I don't need a symbol to assert my authority.

 

[Goro]

A lot of insecure people at the pre-med and med student level are threatened by the rise in responsibilities of mid-levels and other medical care providers.

Naturally, this has far less to do with patient safety, and everything to do with status, elitism, pecking order, and prestige.

The residents and attendings here raise more concerns about patient safety.

Why is a RN question in the MD pre med forum?

 

[Promethean]

Yea? How?

Your false equivalence of science with bench science is concerning.

You see denigration in a statement of facts. Take a step back, take a deep breath, sit the hell down, and earn a degree before you start talking about the profession.

You deny that nursing is applied science. Seriously? I won't argue with delusion. Besides, you make my arguments for me, with your bluster.

Though, I will clarify that I called out bench science because bench scientists are the ones who needed lab coats, and it was their image that physicians sought to benefit from by adopting that attire.

 

[sazerac]

A lot of insecure people at the pre-med and med student level are threatened by the rise in responsibilities of mid-levels and other medical care providers.

Naturally, this has far less to do with patient safety, and everything to do with status, elitism, pecking order, and prestige.

The residents and attendings here raise more concerns about patient safety.

Even among med students, it is really only an issue for the early years of medical school.

When I took Step 2 CS, I had to put tape over my embroidered name and school logo on my white coat to hide where I was from. I will have to remove it the next time I wear my white coat in a health care setting. The tape is still on. I plan to graduate with the tape still on my white coat.

 

[Mad Jack]

DNPs cannot introduce themselves as "doctor" so and so in a hospital setting unless they clarify that they are not a physician.

In 8 states, it is illegal for them to introduce themselves as "doctor" so-and-so even with this rejoinder in the hospital setting.

The reason why many of them do it is because they want to be mistaken for actual physicians. The whole purpose of the DNP degree is so that it becomes confusing for patients to tell the difference. There is absolutely no difference between the clinical skills/knowledgebase of a regular NP and a DNP.

Actually, they are allowed to introduce themselves as doctor in many states- doctor is not a protected title, hence Dr. Dre has as much right to introduce himself as doctor as any physician or NP. They cannot introduce themselves as a physician, and many hospitals specifically forbid them from utilizing the title doctor, but trust me- in my state there's plenty of people in hospitals that have their title as Dr. Soandso, Cardiology (or whatever specialty) on their door that are NPs (or audiologists, psychologists, etc), and that introduce themselves as such. It isn't right, but it happens and is perfectly legal.

 

[Mad Jack]

Physicians stole lab coats from scientists. Now get uppity about other professions doing the same thing. LOL.

Ah, but traditionally the lab coats of scientists were beige, not white. The physician white coat was a blend of the coat of science with the appearance of cleanliness after we discovered hygiene theory, so it was, in many respects, a relatively novel advent.

 

[zurc2014]

I also work at UTSW and frequent Parkland. The fellow and MD/PhD students in my lab have clearly marked badges, as does my PI. I know you didn't mention Children's but their badges are even more clear.

Maybe I simply haven't seen a DNP but the others seem to be fine.

Edit: They aren't bright and color coded so perhaps your point was that the patient might not notice immediately?

I have not seen a MD/PhD badge that was clearly marked. I do know that the residents badges are clear and RNs are. The med students have that purple tag that identifies them but only to staff cause we know wat that purple badge signifies. But I have never seen the clearly marked badges your mention in a clinical setting. Their badge looks just like mine so if it flips around or whatever no one knows. The residents and RNs badges can't flip and can be read from a distance. Children's wasn't mentioned cause well....they stay on top of everything lol that's a solid institution in everyway 🙂

 

[SydSing]

I have not seen a MD/PhD badge that was clearly marked. I do know that the residents badges are clear and RNs are. The med students have that purple tag that identifies them but only to staff cause we know wat that purple badge signifies. But I have never seen the clearly marked badges your mention in a clinical setting. Their badge looks just like mine so if it flips around or whatever no one knows. The residents and RNs badges can't flip and can be read from a distance. Children's wasn't mentioned cause well....they stay on top of everything lol that's a solid institution in everyway 🙂

We are likely talking about the same thing. My badge says my department in the same place theirs would say their designation. It doesn't say MD/PhD.. it says Medical Student, but they are pretty visible. BUT this is likely only because I know where to look. As for my PI, he has a black tag above his badge that says Physician.

Children's is definitely on top of everything lol.

 

[cbrons]

Actually, they are allowed to introduce themselves as doctor in many states- doctor is not a protected title, hence Dr. Dre has as much right to introduce himself as doctor as any physician or NP. They cannot introduce themselves as a physician, and many hospitals specifically forbid them from utilizing the title doctor, but trust me- in my state there's plenty of people in hospitals that have their title as Dr. Soandso, Cardiology (or whatever specialty) on their door that are NPs (or audiologists, psychologists, etc), and that introduce themselves as such. It isn't right, but it happens and is perfectly legal.

Yes in many states they may be allowed, but in some states it is specifically illegal for anyone other than a physician or dentists to introduce themselves as "doctor". Illinois is one such state where it is illegal.

Unlike audiology and psychology, the NP using the title is specifically to confuse patients and make them believe they are seeing a physician. Sure, physicians dont "own" the doctor title but for better or worse, thats what patients think when someone with a stethoscope around their neck says they are "doctor" whatever.

 

[cbrons]

A lot of insecure people at the pre-med and med student level are threatened by the rise in responsibilities of mid-levels and other medical care providers.

Naturally, this has far less to do with patient safety, and everything to do with status, elitism, pecking order, and prestige.

The residents and attendings here raise more concerns about patient safety.

I would think as a school administrator whose livelihood depends on those "insecure" people thinking the MD (or DO) is worthwhile, you'd want to perpetuate that sense of superiority even if you actually think 2 years of online training and shadowing (and 0 Steps of USMLE) are equivalent to a medical degree.

After all, people start thinking they can take a 6 year shortcut and save hundreds of thousands by becoming a DNP "Doctor" with all the same rights and privileges, then a lot less people will be paying the astronomical tuition/fees that keep your own profession afloat.

 

[Lawpy]

A lot of insecure people at the pre-med and med student level are threatened by the rise in responsibilities of mid-levels and other medical care providers.

Naturally, this has far less to do with patient safety, and everything to do with status, elitism, pecking order, and prestige.

What? Where? I saw the exact opposite...

This is in regards to med students' perceptions of midlevels. I don't care what premeds think.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

A lot of insecure people at the pre-med and med student level are threatened by the rise in responsibilities of mid-levels and other medical care providers.

Naturally, this has far less to do with patient safety, and everything to do with status, elitism, pecking order, and prestige.

The residents and attendings here raise more concerns about patient safety.

While I do agree with you, I do think it is a patient care issue when I see nurses introducing themselves as Dr to patients.

 

[Goro]

I'll agree 100% with you on that and ask that when you see it, that you stomp on that behavior immediately, unless your state has re-defined the definition of "Dr".

While I do agree with you, I do think it is a patient care issue when I see nurses introducing themselves as Dr to patients.

It's all over these forums...stronger in Allo than in pre-Allo, but in the latter all the same.

What? Where? I saw the exact opposite...
This is in regards to med students' perceptions of midlevels. I don't care what premeds think.

I rest my case.

I would think as a school administrator whose livelihood depends on those "insecure" people thinking the MD (or DO) is worthwhile, you'd want to perpetuate that sense of superiority even if you actually think 2 years of online training and shadowing (and 0 Steps of USMLE) are equivalent to a medical degree.

After all, people start thinking they can take a 6 year shortcut and save hundreds of thousands by becoming a DNP "Doctor" with all the same rights and privileges, then a lot less people will be paying the astronomical tuition/fees that keep your own profession afloat.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I'll agree 100% with you on that and ask that when you see it, that you stomp on that behavior immediately, unless your state has re-defined the definition of "Dr".

While I do agree with you, I do think it is a patient care issue when I see nurses introducing themselves as Dr to patients.

It's all over these forums...stronger in Allo than in pre-Allo, but in the latter all the same.

What? Where? I saw the exact opposite...
This is in regards to med students' perceptions of midlevels. I don't care what premeds think.

I rest my case.

Have you ever worked in a hospital? They are run by nurses and protected by the nursing union.

 

[Goro]

That says something there!

Have you ever worked in a hospital? They are run by nurses and protected by the nursing union.

 

[Mad Jack]

Yes in many states they may be allowed, but in some states it is specifically illegal for anyone other than a physician or dentists to introduce themselves as "doctor". Illinois is one such state where it is illegal.

Unlike audiology and psychology, the NP using the title is specifically to confuse patients and make them believe they are seeing a physician. Sure, physicians dont "own" the doctor title but for better or worse, thats what patients think when someone with a stethoscope around their neck says they are "doctor" whatever.

We had a speech therapist that always made it appear as if he was a doctor from ENT- it isn't just nurses playing the doctor game.

 

[DrCaffeinated]

A lot of insecure people at the pre-med and med student level are threatened by the rise in responsibilities of mid-levels and other medical care providers.

Naturally, this has far less to do with patient safety, and everything to do with status, elitism, pecking order, and prestige.

The residents and attendings here raise more concerns about patient safety.

I can't love this enough.

 

[trev5150]

Sometimes I feel bad for patients as they probably see most of the staff wearing white coats and have no idea if the person is the PT, nurse, PA, doctor etc lol.

The typical patient doesn't give a rat's fuzzy _______ about the coat size, length, doohickies and trappings of rank and status. Neither do they care particularly what letters you have after your name. They don't even care what your name is. They're going to forget it 2 minutes after you tell them, if they're even listening at all. They're sick or their kid is sick and want to be not sick, while wondering how much it's going to cost out of pocket and how they're going to pay for it. That's what's important in their lives for the time they are interacting with the vastly incongruous and indecipherable Health Care Machine where nothing is the same twice and no one seems to know what the other one is supposed to be doing.

 

[GinnyWeasley]

You first have to get into med school before you can make an argument about RN, BSN, NP, and PA wearing the white coat before you have any right to say who shouldn't wear one js.........

Lmao why are you still here? You're an exposed troll who managed to do a crap job at trolling. You should get off and study for your RRT exams and your MCAT. Oh wait, I forgot, don't you already have a II to San Antonio? Sorry I can't remember which lie you're on now. Also, if you read properly, you would see that I never said any group shouldn't wear one. You're just a really bad troll.

 

[GinnyWeasley]

The typical patient doesn't give a rat's fuzzy _______ about the coat size, length, doohickies and trappings of rank and status. Neither do they care particularly what letters you have after your name. They don't even care what your name is. They're going to forget it 2 minutes after you tell them, if they're even listening at all. They're sick or their kid is sick and want to be not sick, while wondering how much it's going to cost out of pocket and how they're going to pay for it. That's what's important in their lives for the time they are interacting with the vastly incongruous and indecipherable Health Care Machine where nothing is the same twice and no one seems to know what the other one is supposed to be doing.

Actually, the reason I pointed this out was because when I was a patient in the hospital, I was too sick to read nametags and see who was who, especially when they didn't introduce themselves properly (which they should've). The majority of times they did introduce themselves, but like you said, you forget 2 minutes later. So I disagree- having the white coat or a certain color scrub is beneficial for patients imo. That's just my experience.

 

[GinnyWeasley]

A lot of insecure people at the pre-med and med student level are threatened by the rise in responsibilities of mid-levels and other medical care providers.

Naturally, this has far less to do with patient safety, and everything to do with status, elitism, pecking order, and prestige.

The residents and attendings here raise more concerns about patient safety.

I've said this in the thread earlier, but my question literally was asking if a white coat ceremony for BSNs was a new thing. I could care less if mid-levels wear coats or not, or have a sense of elitism (I'm a pre-med, so obviously I'm pretty low down on the chain). My question had nothing to do with prestige. Not sure who you were referring to, as you responded to a known troll account.

 

[trev5150]

Actually, the reason I pointed this out was because when I was a patient in the hospital, I was too sick to read nametags and see who was who, especially when they didn't introduce themselves properly (which they should've). The majority of times they did introduce themselves, but like you said, you forget 2 minutes later. So I disagree- having the white coat or a certain color scrub is beneficial for patients imo. That's just my experience.

.... which would be sooper dooper awesome if it was standardized across health care, but it isn't, and that's what would be needed. Look at these cats right here....

On every aircraft carrier, these shirts and cranials have specific meanings as to roles and responsibilities.
Brown = plane captains
Green = handlers
Yellow = shooters
Purple = fuels
Red = ordnance
White = Safety/final checkers

Everyone knows what everyone else's job is - even from 150 feet away, at night, in the rain, over screaming jet engines, props, and rotors - in an environment where you can fall overboard or get sucked into an intake or take a prop to the face and become pink mist.

Meanwhile in health care (also a presumably health and safety conscious environment) you might see someone that might be wearing a Hello Kitty scrub top who's a neurosurgeon.... or a phlebotomist. Who knows? There's people in the billing office wearing scrubs. Why? You can't assume anything from what someone is wearing. Long white coat? Might be a pharmacist (nothing against pharmacists). If we're going to get into the standards of being able to identify what people are supposed to be doing by their dress, it goes far beyond white coat style.

You have to have one standard and everyone has to be able to live with and enforce that standard, and not just in one hospital or clinic. Across the entire infrastructure of health care, worldwide.

We can't even get people to put their cars in parking spots correctly.

 

[SwordOfTheMorning]

You don't have to be insecure to know that the education and training of mid-levels pales in comparison to that of a physician. My mom and other family members would not know the difference between a physician, NP or other mid-level provider. They see a white coat or hear the person state that he/she is a doctor and immediately assume that person is a physician. Many of those patients are trusting their provider because they assume he/she is a physician. Making it unclear to the patient is simply unethical. I would want my mom to be seen by a physician who has had years of training. If most of the public knew the difference, they would as well.

A lot of insecure people at the pre-med and med student level are threatened by the rise in responsibilities of mid-levels and other medical care providers.

 

[GinnyWeasley]

.... which would be sooper dooper awesome if it was standardized across health care, but it isn't, and that's what would be needed. Look at these cats right here....

On every aircraft carrier, these shirts and cranials have specific meanings as to roles and responsibilities.
Brown = plane captains
Green = handlers
Yellow = shooters
Purple = fuels
Red = ordnance
White = Safety/final checkers

Everyone knows what everyone else's job is - even from 150 feet away, at night, in the rain, over screaming jet engines, props, and rotors - in an environment where you can fall overboard or get sucked into an intake or take a prop to the face and become pink mist.

Meanwhile in health care (also a presumably health and safety conscious environment) you might see someone that might be wearing a Hello Kitty scrub top who's a neurosurgeon.... or a phlebotomist. Who knows? There's people in the billing office wearing scrubs. Why? You can't assume anything from what someone is wearing. Long white coat? Might be a pharmacist (nothing against pharmacists). If we're going to get into the standards of being able to identify what people are supposed to be doing by their dress, it goes far beyond white coat style.

You have to have one standard and everyone has to be able to live with and enforce that standard, and not just in one hospital or clinic. Across the entire infrastructure of health care, worldwide.

We can't even get people to put their cars in parking spots correctly.

Then we agree I guess? lol My initial point was that if ONLY doctors wore white coats, it would make it easier. And that was just my opinion, so of course people disagree haha

 

[Goro]

The thing I have a problem with is this attitude of "I have more training, therefore I'm better"

You don't have to be insecure to know that the education and training of mid-levels pales in comparison to that of a physician. My mom and other family members would not know the difference between a physician, NP or other mid-level provider. They see a white coat or hear the person state that he/she is a doctor and immediately assume that person is a physician. Many of those patients are trusting their provider because they assume he/she is a physician. Making it unclear to the patient is simply unethical. I would want my mom to be seen by a physician who has had years of training. If most of the public knew the difference, they would as well.

 

[Lawpy]

The thing I have a problem with is this attitude of "I have more training, therefore I'm better"

Isn't it also due to more expertise + more education + excelling in much more difficult standardized exams?

 

[GinnyWeasley]

The thing I have a problem with is this attitude of "I have more training, therefore I'm better"

It's not better as in "I'm a better human being than you". I think of it as " I have studied and trained longer than you, so I am better equipped at treating patients (in general)". No one would ever tell a pilot to stop thinking he's better than the flight attendants because he/she can fly the plane and they can't. It just means he's better trained to fly the plane. Same with physicians.

 

[trev5150]

Then we agree I guess? lol My initial point was that if ONLY doctors wore white coats, it would make it easier. And that was just my opinion, so of course people disagree haha

Outside of an actual lab, the lab coat serves zero functionality other than as a symbol of status.

Meanwhile, as this discussion is taking place, someone somewhere is doing a line of blow in the locker room to keep going for the rest of their shift tonight.

 

[zurc2014]

We

It's not better as in "I'm a better human being than you". I think of it as " I have studied and trained longer than you, so I am better equipped at treating patients (in general)". No one would ever tell a pilot to stop thinking he's better than the flight attendants because he/she can fly the plane and they can't. It just means he's better trained to fly the plane. Same with physicians.

Well said...

 

[freak7]

Outside of an actual lab, the lab coat serves zero functionality other than as a symbol of status.

Meanwhile, as this discussion is taking place, someone somewhere is doing a line of blow in the locker room to keep going for the rest of their shift tonight.

At least it blends in with their white coat if they were to spill?

 

[jl lin]

It used to be that nurses wore starched white caps and receiving the cap was a milestone in school as was receiving the ribbon that indicated that the nurse had graduated. For some there was a pin on the cap as well. I haven't seen a cap in 25 years so it is no surprise that coats are filling the vacuum.

Why feel sorry for the patients? The staffers should be introducing themselves to patients so that they are aware of who is caring for them.

Yes, they should. What's more, they should be dinged for not having their tags facing forward to the patients and families. I was recently in one facility and EVERY, SINGLE RN and PHYSICIAN had their tags turned backwards. Yes. I realize they can flip backwards, but you can also adhere them with a clip that won't usually allow them to flip. And by the behavior of a lot of these people at this particular facility, I could understand why they didn't want their actual names representing them and who they are. Very sad.

Everyone should be clear and straight-up about who they are and what their role is. It's like people know that most people are visual learners, and thus will remember what they read more times than what they hear--ergo, don't show your written name and title. I will say, there were some physicians that were cognizant of their tags and coats and titles in other places, in general---that is, introduced themselves and also had their titles and names in full view.

Wear your ID proudly, showing you are prepared to be responsible and accountable within your role. Otherwise, I could give two blips what kind of coat you wear. Show your identity/name/professional title for God's sake. It looks unprofessional and on the shisty side...and yes, I have had my tag flip around too. See, but having family and friends and looking at things from the patient and family side, I get the need to anchor that bad boy down. Yes, patients and families absolutely have the right to know the full name and title (role), etc, of the person/s involved in their care. Pet peeve. Sorry.

 

[cactusnrocks]

Who cares? It's a clothing item.

 

[Goro]

I agree. But if you go through a lot of the posts on this subject, the attitude is precisely what I have described.

It's not better as in "I'm a better human being than you". I think of it as " I have studied and trained longer than you, so I am better equipped at treating patients (in general)". No one would ever tell a pilot to stop thinking he's better than the flight attendants because he/she can fly the plane and they can't. It just means he's better trained to fly the plane. Same with physicians.