I received an “ask me a question” from Elda. The question was the following:
Is it Legal for a Hospital to Post Your Name, Title, and Degree for Patients and Staff Members to See?
First of all, thank you Elda for your question. This question is more of a legal question for a legal person or lawyer rather than a nursing question for a registered nurse. However, I will try to answer it the best I can but if you want a “for sure” type of answer I would ask the legal department in the hospital you work.
In the hospital I work, they are allowed to post your name, title, and degree for patients and staff members to see. These things are not only included on my name badge I wear but on my unit’s floor and on my state department’s website under “health care provider look-up”. Most states have the “health care provider look-up” which includes all health care providers names (including CNAs), addresses, and degrees. This information is for the public to look-up through their state board of nursing.
Personally, I think it is very important that patients can see the name and degree status of the person taking care of them. For example, if I was going to have open heart surgery I would want to know the name, title and degree of my surgeon along with the names and degrees of the nurses taking care of me. It helps the patient feel a little at ease that they have qualified people taking care of them.
I hope I was able to somewhat answer your question, Elda. Thanks again for the question!