Just how illegal can you go?

[Chuckie]

I

[willie2001]

All of our CRNAs are male nurses and patients are always mistaking them for doctors. I've never heard one of them correct anyone. I, on the other hand, take every opportuniity to enlighten patients that they are nurse anesthesists and not doctors.

[donmurray]

I too, have met some of those who are economical with the truth. I like to reply to a patient who misidentifies me with: "No, I'm not just a Doctor, I'm a nurse !" Not to denigrate the medical profession, but to make light of the patient's mistake, while making their being corrected light-hearted, but memorable.

[kewlnurse]

I correct people once, if they still call me doctor ofter that than thats their problem, i had one guy introduce me to his family as This is my nurse, but i call him "Doc", had another guy see me in the hall (he's a frequent flyer to the renal ranch, told him at least 100 times, no exageration i wasn't a doc) stops me and ask me to write him a prescription for pain meds!!!!

[nur20]

Male nurses and orderlies do this. My opinion is that this is due to the old fashioned stigma attached to male nurses.This is a new day. I, wonder if this is the reason that prevents most men from becoming nurses. Welcome TO ALL MALE NURSES!!!!!!!!

[Mijourney]

Hi. I think that what is vitally important, especially during this time of heightened awareness is that everyone, no matter what position or status, wears a badge and is required to have it on all during the work day. In additiion to the problem of mentality, I see far to many workers not wearing badges. In home health, I've gone in the home with CNAs who did not wear their badges, and you got it, the patient thought they were the nurse. Everyone should wear easily identifiable badges so that if I or someone else simply wants to know who you are, all we have to do is to look at your properly placed badge.

[boggle, ASN, RN]

I agree with the responses noted above, but have just one question?

What does "dressing like a doctor" look like?

Expensive suit with a stethescope in the pocket?

Around here, if you are in scrubs, (males or females) you could have ANY role, from housekeeper to surgeon.

I'm in favor of large nametags with bold writing. Trim down the unflattering photos and make my title readable!

hang in there!

[Harleyhead]

I am called doctor regularly,but I always tell them I am a nurse. Then I warn them they must give me a huge pay raise if they continue to call me doctor. This usually breaks the ice and we have a good laugh.

[e-nurse]

Hi nur20, I happen to take offense to your blanket statement the "male nurses and orderlies do this". No male nurse in his right mind feels "stigmatized" by being a male nurse, and if they do then they chose the wrong profession. I correct my patients the first time they address me as MD, saying "no I am your nurse", if they still can't comprehend that then that is their error and I'm not going to continually correct them. After that I let them beleive what they want to beleive.

[thisnurse]

good question...how do you dress like a doctor?

maybe they are wearing one of those hats with the big mirror on it...lol

patients think that all men are doctors and all women are nurses.they assume that the female docs are all nurses.

you can correct them but they dont listen most of the time.

i dont think its illegal for a patient to think a male nurse is a doctor UNLESS the male nurse says he is a doctor or practices as one. i dont think the male nurses, generally speaking, are trying to act like doctors. its the publics perception of the male/female thing, not the nurses fault.

but just in case im wrong...

HEY MALE NURSES....STOP DRESSING AND ACTING LIKE DOCTORS OK?

thank you