Good afternoon, I am writing to you out of great concern after seeing your article, Lakewood resident finds nurse apparently suffocating baby with pillow. From the article, I am unsure if the “nurse” referenced is a “baby nurse” or in fact a registered nurse, but assuming the former, please read below.
I recently contacted the American Nurses Association, National Council for the State Board of Nursing, the New York State Board of Nursing, and Mayor De Blasio for this very concern regarding the use of term “nurse” but have yet to receive a response. I often hear friends and family discussing “baby nurses” whom they have hired to help care for newborns. On questioning, many of these friends told me they believe “baby nurses” are in fact registered nurses.
I spent some time researching what it means to be a “baby nurse” to satisfy my own curiosity. What I found was alarming, to say the least. I found numerous agency websites offering “baby nurses” who are available to help new parents care for their newborns. One site, New York Nanny Center, answers the question, “What is a baby nurse?” with the following:
“A Baby Nurse is a non-medical professional who comes into the home when the baby comes home from the hospital. They generally assist parents with the day-to-day care of their new baby for a few weeks up to several months. They can provide overnight (10-12 hours), daytime hours, and 24-hour care. A Baby Nurse is experienced/trained and/or has a certification. Many Baby Nurses will have additional certifications like: HHAs, CNAs or LPNs. Most Baby Nurses also have their CPR certification.
Every Baby Nurse is different and has a range of newborn and infant care experience. In general, she will have extensive practical experience with newborns, and current knowledge of accepted practices in newborn care, including lactation support, Infant CPR & First Aid, and knowledge of early childhood development.”
It is illegal to call oneself a “nurse” unless she or he is licensed by the New York State Education Department (or respective state licensing agency) as an RN, LPN, CNS, or NP, yet there are “baby nurses” all over New York and across the country being hired by families and entrusted with the care of their infants. As a registered nurse, I am eager to help find a way to put an end to the illegal use of the term “nurse” and to ensure the safety of infants and new parents by allowing families to make informed decisions regarding whom they hire for their care.
Respectfully,
Christina
Christina Maroone, MSN, MPA, RN
New Jersey does not currently have any “Nurse” Title Protection laws
Someone has to be very naive to think they are actually registered nurses or even cna’s. Everyone knows they’re just people who help out with babies.
Exactly !!
If any of you worked hard to earn a legitimate, undergrad or grad degree and gained your licensure and certification with financial and academic investment and hardship, as the author of the post, you might also take offense to the misuse of term “nurse” along with all the allegations that were raised
It is a felony in any state to use the title Nurse or imply that you are a nurse without being licensed. It is the same with police officers.
Nurses are trained and licensed because we are trusted to help take care of others. It is a highly skilled profession for a reason.
Thank you for letting the public know the dangers of these so called “baby nurses.”
registered nurse or not that person was trying to kill the baby what do you call that the man should have called the police instead he drives her to a bus stop and calls the agency whats that all about
I still can’t wrap my head around it !! Something stinks, and stinks bad !!!
Love this article, I worked hard for my license and I correct people quickly when they reference someone as a nurse that is not actually a licensed nurse, great article and great way to raise awareness
The title nurse originates with mothers that nurse their children. Either way the people that care for babies without any licensing are nothing more than house workers. Ie cleaning help etc..
Kudos to our licensed and dedicated professional nurses who are there for us in all situations!
I run a 176 bed skilled NURSING facility and this article is spot on. It’s a travesty for “baby changers” to call themselves nurses. Frum people don’t realize but on the medical totem pole nurses are higher than EMTs. We tend to look at EMTs as many doctors when in reality they are drivers with a couple of Band-Aids. Nurses are the ones who provide real medical care and dispense medication, they can take MD orders change lines etc. For “baby changers“ to call themselves nurses is misleading.
“Baby nurses” has become so acceptable in the Frum community that people don’t blink twice about whether or not their American citizens, actual nurses or whatnot. Many of these workers are here from Jamaica for a few months and they may not even give a real name. A few references doesn’t mean much in my opinion since no one really knows who they are. Maybe they are a criminal in their country. Does anyone research that. NO.
Nah overblown,
Everyone understands what a baby nurse is.
There is an RN and a baby nurse,no big deal.
This article is 100% true.. it is unethical and not OK for them to call themselves nurses… or for us to refer to them as nurses.. . it’s like a non licensed therapist referring to themselves as a therapist. One will only chap if they’ve gone through school and the boards.. anyway call a spade a spade and let’s all change their names because “nurses” they aren’t..
who cares, it’s not a hospital. Most moms caring for their newborns aren’t certified nurses either!
What does matter is that you should not leave your children with a stranger, registered or not!
I completely agree with this letter! As a registered nurse, I’ve been asked numerous times from patients, friends, and family members if I know of baby nurses that I can recommend. Actually, many people that I know are not convinced that baby nurses aren’t licensed nurses, although they might be questioning if they in fact are licensed at all.
Just so you know, there are some baby nurses that are licensed but always do your homework.