I'm Only A Nurse......

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Feb 8, 2005

Nope. Bad phrase. I was present when one family member told another "How would she know (the plan of care)? She's only a nurse!" This was in ICU, where nurses are as skilled and independent as anywhere. I repeated what she said with a questioning tone and another family member, embarrassed, tried to discount the comment.

"I am a nurse" is appropriate in terms of, I am not a waitress, personal servant, punching bag, etc. But "only" demeans what we are.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Feb 8, 2005

I'm Only A Nurse......

...working my butt off to keep my patients alive. :stone

I should add:

When I do use that phrase, it's in context to some colossally stupid order given by a clueless MD. At some point, frustration will get the better of me, and I'll say "Look at these labs! Why didn't he order _____?" Then as I scribble a note asking the doc if he wants to order _____, I'll usually be heard to mumble, :rolleyes: "Ahhhh, but what do I know? I'm only the nurse."

I also have to admit that it's pretty gratifying to see that the doc actually decided to take the suggested course. Makes me wonder if patients really ought to know that it was their nurse who picked up on their PE, not their doc....

mye614 · Feb 8, 2005

The next time you find yourselves in the position of being tempted to utter those words, "I'm only a Nurse", stop and realize you are so much more to so many people. You have the opportunity every day to impact people's lives in a positive and much needed way.

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 8, 2005

I saw it a different way, I guess. I meant I am a nurse----and that is what I want to be, not all the other stuff they throw my way. I want to do NURSING, not all the other stuff.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Feb 9, 2005

...yet I find myself doing everyone else's job??????????

Siouxz2 · Feb 9, 2005

I never put the word "only" in the statement. I may say "I'm a nurse" or "I'm not the doctor" but I feel the word "only" indicates that we are not capable of many things which most of us are masters at multi-tasking.

Our nursing school tells us repeatedly that the ONLY time we are to say we are "only" student nurses is when a doctor tries to give us an order. They tell us that while we ARE still learning, we are an integral part of the medical team, and have much to contribute. I like that attitude!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2005

I see both ways.

I agree, "only" is what I have a problem with. I've seen patients ask nurses "are you a doctor" ........."no I'm only/just a nurse....." and they are belittling themselves. I always call the techs when they respond to patients "I'm just a tech, I'll get your nurse......."

But I'm only a nurse, not a miracle worker.

medsurgnurse, RN · Feb 9, 2005

I also have to admit that it's pretty gratifying to see that the doc actually decided to take the suggested course. Makes me wonder if patients really ought to know that it was their nurse who picked up on their PE, not their doc....

I agree Angie O'plasty!

So many times I have had to work to make the doctor come see a patient with a problem or change in status. And afterwards, "thank goodness the doctor came and changed my meds."

allnurses Guide · Feb 9, 2005

Never use the phrase, am much too proud of who I am. (little hubris there :chuckle )

For some reason I am often taken for the doctor when I bring patients back to the ED room from triage: I wear scrubs like all the other nurses, I wear my name badge, (when I can get it to be flat and face forward that it, it flops over by itself), I introduce myself (well, most of the time :rolleyes: ).

I tell people when they say something along those lines, "no, I am your nurse, and proud to be one".

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Feb 9, 2005

So many times I have had to work to make the doctor come see a patient with a problem or change in status. And afterwards, "thank goodness the doctor came and changed my meds."

Exactly! This is the most important part of real-world nursing that we are most encouraged to remain silent about, but there has to be a tactful way of letting patients know what we do for them, else they'll never get over thinking all we do is empty bedpans and stand at the phone waiting for the doctor (aka "god") to give us orders to follow.....

OK, off the soap box now. :twocents:

allnurses Guide · Feb 9, 2005

Never use the phrase, am much too proud of who I am. (little hubris there :chuckle )
For some reason I am often taken for the doctor when I bring patients back to the ED room from triage: I wear scrubs like all the other nurses, I wear my name badge, (when I can get it to be flat and face forward that it, it flops over by itself), I introduce myself (well, most of the time ).
I tell people when they say something along those lines, "no, I am your nurse, and proud to be one".

I have the same name tag problem . . no matter what way I hang it it turns over to show the back all on its own.

steph

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2005

On the rare occasion that I am overwhelmed by family and patient demands to correct whatever they percieve is wrong. I have answered with that response, I am just a nurse......I cannot change what is going on right now just because you want it to be so. Then I usually go into my 'crowd control mode' and ask for names, phone numbers to contact, then offer to leave e-mail or voice messages pertaining to the problem and/or give them the extension so they can leave their own message. I then offer to spend a few minutes to discuss this issue when I am done treating some more acute pain issues. I give them a time in which I will return and I do return. I also tell my coworkers quickly of the 'attack family' and what I have agreed to so they don't suck the life out of the unit. They can all respond with, "Deanna said she would discuss this and give you answers in 25 minutes" please be patient. Team work is a good thing to have in these situations.