What makes someone a nurse?

Does passing your boards and getting the license make you a nurse or do you have to actually work to call yourself one?

I've been hesitant to call myself a nurse because I have not been able to secure employment yet. Right now I'm just some NEET, complaining of the evils of corporate America.
As much studying, work and stress it takes to get through nursing school, personally, I'd call myself I nurse the minute I got that degree!!!! LOL!

Well, according to which state you live in you may be considered a graduate nurse for the first 90 days after you get your nursing degree or diploma. Then after you pass the NCLEX you are legally entitled to use the Letters RN and the title "Nurse" and Registered Nurse" etc.... But, if you don't feel your really a nurse until your employed as one then that is a personal decision and that's ok.

This comes up over and over. I believe the answer is contextual. Complete nursing school and you have as much right to call yourself a nurse as a doctor who's completed medical school. To establish a therapeutic relationship with a patient you must be licensed and acting within the states nurse practice act.After a long career, I've been sidelined by a "autoimmune system attacking the muscles" condition. I've been having a major identity crisis and am considering getting a tattoo with the staff of Esclepius (not caduceus, thats another story) with the letters RN around it, because for most of my life I've been able to say proudly "I'm an ER nurse" but it loks like that chapter is over now.Hope all this helps put it in perspective for you, nurse.

You've been trained to be a nurse, you just haven't worked in that position yet.

Quote from Catch22PersonifiedDoes passing your boards and getting the license make you a nurse or do you have to actually work to call yourself one?I've been hesitant to call myself a nurse because I have not been able to secure employment yet. Right now I'm just some NEET, complaining of the evils of corporate America.

You are a graduate nurse (GN) when you receive your diploma or degree (unless or until your state says otherwise).You are a registered nurse (RN) after you pass NCLEX-RN.You are an employed nurse after you find a job.Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Quote from rn/writerYou are a graduate nurse (GN) when you receive your diploma or degree (unless or until your state says otherwise).You are a registered nurse (RN) after you pass NCLEX-RN.You are an employed nurse after you find a job.Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Quote from BezoarsI had a preceptor tell me on my very last night of clinicals before graduating nursing school, that I needed to "always remember to do good assessment and teaching... that's what makes you a nurse". I just thought that was interesting and it has stuck with me.

You ARE officially a Registered Nurse when you pass the NCLEX. So you may call yourself a NURSE.Congrats and Best wishes!!