To tell or not to tell?

klone, MSN, RN · Feb 20, 2015

I like to not tell and feel like I'm getting insight into how care is for the average person.

OTOH, it's nice getting VIP service. Last time I was in the hospital (lumbar surgery) they knew. The RN who took care of me overnight was SO nice to me. She'd ask me my pain level, and I'd say 2, and she'd say "Well, let's take care of that!" I was VERY well medicated during my stay.

The anesthesiologist did not know we were nurses, though, so when he came to talk to us before the surgery, it was kind of funny. "First, I'm going to give you sleepy medicine." Yes, he actually said that.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 20, 2015

sleepy medicine. I like that. I keep getting told abut the tube in my bladder. We'll see

caliotter3 · Feb 20, 2015

After I had negative experiences with providers, I stopped letting it be known that I am a nurse. Can't say you would have the same problem. Why would they need to know?

roser13, ASN, RN · Feb 20, 2015

I never tell. I don't want to be one of "those" nurses. Plus, I want to be educated as if I know nothing about the subject because there's always more I can learn. Plus if I'm stressed, under the influence of pain meds, etc., certain things can't be repeated too often.

Sometimes it does unintentionally slip out, though, if I'm not careful. I was very proud to make it all the way through my daughter's labor & delivery of my granddaughter without letting it slip.

Ayvah, RN · Feb 20, 2015

I don't see the benefit of saying you are a RN. The facility staff might then assume that since you are a RN, you 'already know XYZ' and just not tell you things you need to know. I've seen this myself while working, the doctor will say 'Oh they are a RN they will know xyz already'. Any time I am caring for a RN or even MD patient, I tell them right away that I'll treat them just like any other patient with the full teaching unless they specifically tell me otherwise. I haven't had any of my RN/MD patients tell me to stop a teaching.

When I was a patient, I was burdened enough by the stress of the illness and dealing with insurance/work/etc, so its nice to have things just spelled out in plain English by the staff. Your mind isn't in medical mode, its survival mode. Especially too because the specialty I work in is not in the same specialty that I get my personal medical care. RN does not equal RN does not equal RN. Just like the old joke where there's a medical emergency on a plane and the stewardess asks if anyone is a doctor and a dermatologist nervously raises their hand. You don't want to risk that they'll omit or reduce crutch training, or, wound care, or whatever.

Saying you are a RN may also make the staff want to come in the room less, thinking they'll be scrutinized more for what they do, or thinking that you know to call if you need anything.

I have never divulged my RN status but my family always jumps to do so. I've never seen my care improve after this information is made public.

OCNRN63, RN · Feb 20, 2015

What would be the point in telling them? To try to intimidate them?

Whenever I've had "one of those patients," I'm as nice as pie on the outside, but inside I am rolling my eyes. I want to say, "You're an RN? Wow, you and about 3 million other people in the USA!"

Obviously, my vote is "No," but YMMV.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2015

My husband proudly tells people I'm a RN when I'm in the hospital. It had its pros and cons. Pros: VIP treatment (sometimes) con's: they assume you already know something , which causes lack of education.

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2015

They usually find out just because I can't keep my mouth shut from talking about nursey things. It's just in my verbage. Doc asked me once at a visit what I'd been taking for a headache that was plaguing me and I told him 800mg of ibuprofen Q6. He looked at me and said "So you're in medicine? What do you do and where do you work?" LOL!

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Feb 20, 2015

I would not tell them, as it may just make them more nervous.

My niece was in the PICU a few months ago and I never said a word, but they figured it out just by how I was helping them. I was humble about it though and did not go out of my way to make it known.

Annie

elkpark · Feb 20, 2015

I have a different perspective. I go out of my way to avoid receiving healthcare :), but, when I do have to, I let people know, in a low-key, pleasant way, right up front that I'm an RN. I would rather do that to begin with than have it come out at some point later on and have anyone feel like I'm playing "gotcha!" I know that's what I would prefer it if the situation were reversed.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2015

I was not even concerned about it when I had OP surgery. I was so tired from working all night and not really perky from being NPO that I signed the surgical consent with my professional signature. The nurse who caught it and I just laughed. On that day, I was a patient and I told her so. In my world all nurses and retired nurses receive exceptional care, so be honest and try to keep it light.