In the US, in most states, it is illegal for caregivers to call themselves a “nurse” unless they are a registered nurse. And it is illegal in all states to claim a license you do not hold. A Newborn Care Specialist cannot ethically or legally refer to themselves as a nurse, unless they have a nursing degree.
In the UK, it is currently not against the law for providers to call themselves a “nurse”, even if they do not have actual nursing credentials. Despite the name, a UK-trained “maternity nurse” is unlikely to be an actual nurse, such as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.
In the nanny industry, the term “nurse” is not regulated in the same way in the United Kingdom as it is in the United States.
In the US, it’s the law, caregivers cannot refer to themselves as “nurses” unless they are licensed as nurses in their state, as this can be confusing and misleading for new parents.
In the UK, whether you have completed 3 years of study or a 3-day course, whether you have a medical background or not, you can call yourself a “nurse”…
Did you know that things could soon change in the UK? Indeed, the UK government has announced its intention to make it a criminal offence to use the title “nurse” unless one is properly qualified and has obtained a government-regulated qualification.
If you are a UK-trained maternity nurse and this new law affects you, fell free to share your thoughts!
