22 Tex. Admin. Code § 217.10 - Restrictions to Use of Designations for Licensed Vocational or Registered Nurse
(a) Use of title
(1) A person who holds a valid current
license as a registered nurse under this chapter:
(A) is referred to as a registered nurse;
and
(B) may use the abbreviation
"R.N."
(2) A person who
holds a valid current license as a vocational nurse under this chapter:
(A) is referred to as a licensed vocational
nurse or vocational nurse; and
(B)
may use the abbreviation "L.V.N." or "V.N."
(3) An applicant for initial licensure by
examination in Texas who has valid temporary authorizations to practice
professional nursing as a graduate nurse pending the results of the licensing
examination may use the initials "GN " or the title "graduate nurse."
(4) An applicant for initial licensure by
examination in Texas who has valid temporary authorization to practice
vocational nursing as a graduate vocational nurse pending the results of the
licensing examination may use the initials "GVN" or the title "graduate
vocational nurse."
(5) A person who
is eligible for licensure by endorsement in Texas, holding a valid Texas
temporary license to engage in professional nursing practice, may use the title
"registered nurse" or "RN."
(6) A
person who is eligible for licensure by endorsement in Texas, holding a valid
Texas temporary license to engage in vocational nursing practice, may use the
title "licensed vocational nurse," "vocational nurse," "LVN," and
"VN."
(7) No other person, other
than designated in paragraphs (1) - (6) of this section, may use, where
applicable, titles or abbreviations with the word "nurse" such as office nurse,
staff nurse, head nurse, charge nurse, school nurse, supervisor of nursing or
nurses, or any other title tending to imply to the public that the person holds
a license to practice nursing in Texas.
(8) Any person other than as permitted by law
or rule who uses any of the above titles or abbreviations deemed by the board
misleading or implying that the individual is a licensed nurse may be subject
to potential violation or prosecution under the applicable law.
(9) If a nurse holds herself or himself out
to the public as being engaged in the practice of nursing, or uses the
designations "licensed vocational nurse," "vocational nurse," "LVN," "VN,"
"registered nurse," or "RN" or any combination or variation of those terms and
abbreviations, alone or in combination with any other terms, then they must
practice in accordance with the Nursing Practice Act and the Rules and
Regulations Relating to Nurse Education, Licensure and Practice.
(10) Unless the person is practicing under
the delegated authority of a registered nurse or is otherwise authorized by
state or federal law, a person may not use, in connection with the person's
name:
(A) the title "nurse aide," "nurse
assistant," or "nurse technician" or any other similar title; and
(B) may not abbreviate the title to
"nurse."
(b)
Display of Designations.
(1) While
interacting with the public in a nursing role, each licensed nurse shall wear a
clearly legible insignia that:
(A) displays
the nurse's name, but the manner in which the name appears, in reference to use
of first name and/or last name, is the nurse's preference in accordance with
facility policy, if applicable; and
(B) identifies the nurse as a registered
nurse or vocational nurse according to licensure.
(2) Although the board does not require the
inclusion of any other designations, with the exception of the specific
authorization of advanced practice nurses, the insignia may not contain
information other than:
(A) the registered
nurse or licensed vocational nurse designation;
(B) the nurse's name, certifications,
academic degrees, or practice position;
(C) the name of the employing facility or
agency, or other employer; or
(D) a
picture of the nurse.
(c) Duty to Document Designations. While
functioning in a nursing role, each licensed nurse shall document in his/her
written communications:
(1) the nurse's name,
but the manner in which the name appears, in reference to use of first name
and/or last name, is the nurse's preference in accordance with facility policy,
if applicable; and
(2) the nurse's
designation as a registered nurse or vocational nurse according to
licensure.
Notes
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