Do you make your title known?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in neuro, critical care, open heart..

I have a question. This has probably been done before, but I have to ask. When you are at another facility (hospital, LTC, etc), do you make it known that you are a nurse? I had a pt the other night and I was doing my first of the shift introduction, her son was sitting the chair, and right after I introduced myself, his first words were, "I'm an RN." Now, I'm all for being proud of my chosen profession and all, but I have NEVER told any of my families nurses that I am an RN. My mother on the other hand just has to tell them this fact. I have told her several times that I don't want them to know that because I'm not there as a nurse, I'm there as a family member, not to say that if I saw something that I didn't agree with or was just plain wrong that I wouldn't speak up, but I just don't feel the need to brag about it. I'm just curious if the pt's son thought that he would impress me or he was warning me. I just looked at him and said "that's nice." And he had some pretty ignorant questions himself that made me wonder if he was telling the truth about being the nurse or not. I'm just wondering if it bothers anyone else or if it's just me. Sorry for being so long-winded.

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It depends. If I'd prefer to blend into the woodwork, I say nothing. If I'm trying to get information with a little more detail (not watered down into layman's terms), then yes.

I have found it to be just a matter of professional courtesy most of the time, but of course it REALLY depends on how it's presented. Come at me with an "I know everything because I'm an RN and I want to see if you're screwing up my Mom's care", well, you can go stuff yourself. Take me aside, let me know you're an RN and is there anything you should know that I can tell you to help Mom right now, something that you can do, etc etc, that's different.

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I never let other nurses who care for my son know I'm an RN. I don't want to intimidate them or make them feel uncomfortable when they are caring for my son.

However, when my MIL was in the ICU for an exacerbation of COPD, I asked for the ABG results. I was asked if I was an RN or a RT; I told them at that time (plus, she wasn't receiving the most stellar care).

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Definately!

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No, but usually my questions give me away. Besides, family members usually mention it.:rolleyes:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.

Sure, sometimes I do. And it doesn't bother me when family members tell me they are in the healthcare profession either. It used to but I got over it.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I can almost always tell if someone is a nurse by the questions they ask. I myself prefer to not give my title, but someone in the family always says "she's a nurse"

So far it seems like the ones that say it first thing usually turn out to be trouble and the ones who try to hide it from you until you ask are usually more professional and less "icky"

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I don't right away but after I start asking questions, I'm sure they wonder.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Initially I dont tell people. But if they are not smart enough to figure it out..... it does make one wonder how much they are paying attention to what I am telling them.

Rj

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele, ER.

I'm in an EMT-B class right now, and have gone out of my way not to draw attention to the fact that I'm an RN. My reasons behind this stem from the reactions I have gotten when telling people I am taking the EMT course. I would say 75% of people with an EMT background assume that I am going into the course thinking I "know it all already", or whatever. Many have felt compelled to lecture me about how the knowledge I gained in nursing school is separate, that I don't know anything about emergency response, etc. The silly thing is, I completely agree with them - I have a lot to learn about this field, and I am so interested in the material, otherwise I wouldn't be taking the course. I just get a better response from people when they don't know I'm an RN, so I keep it to myself for now.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I guess it depends. I took my son to the ER last year right after work, and still had on my ID uniform and stethoscope. I didn't say anything in the beginning that I am a nurse, but like others have mentioned, it came out by my questioning, and when they prescribed a med I didn't recognize, I pulled out my PDA. I don't want to intimidate people...I KNOW how THAT feels...but sometimes, I can imagine scenerios where there is a need to announce it.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I only tell if they are trying to talk over my head. I hate it when people try to confuse others by "using big words and med terms " laymen don't know

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