Coworkers at non-nursing job asking for advice or to do things

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

Hello, so here it goes sorry so long....

So I am a new LPN only 8 months post NCLEX. I work as an LPN on call at Chem health facilty (avg about 3days a month) and during the week I work full time at an office job, its a small office with like 10 people. Occasionally my coworkers at my office job ask me for medical advice and what do I think this growth is. I try to tell them I cant give medical advice and go see your Dr. or call the nurse line, yada yada. Now I did get prefessional liability ins because of this job, just in case something like and emergency happened. So I would be covered because of course my other job does not cover me there. And actually that came in handy not too long ago, a different coworker silp and fell. I did what I could for her you know ice, stabalize it, and so on and had her go to ER-she later found out it was a broken elbow. They just dont get it, so last week a coworker cut her finger and yesterday she had the nerve to ask me to take out her stitches because she didnt want to pay her copay to have it done and "since Im an LPN I can just do it!" :eek: Her words. I said no way, I have not been trained to do that for one- I will not do anything that I was not trained in or feel comfortable, we dont have the right equipment and point blank -NO. She was like your just scared arent you? Im like no I dont want to get sued! How can I tell them one last time I am not the office nurse?? have others had these experiences and what is the best way to handle it.

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I'm in my last semester for LPN..and I learned how to take out stitches lol....

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Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

That was one skill we did not practice in lab , nor did I get a chance to do it in clinical. And it was my belief you need a Drs order to do so and I just am not comfortable doing it. I am definitely not doing anything that I have not actualy done before.

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OP you have hit every nail on the head. Continue to tell them what you have been telling them, that you are not the office nurse. If they don't get the message soon, enlist the aid of your supervisor. If they don't believe you when you tell them you are not the office nurse, maybe they will believe a company supervisor. I especially love the retort that you don't want to be sued! He, he! Would like to have seen the look on her face when you said that! :p

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That was one skill we did not practice in lab , nor did I get a chance to do it in clinical. And it was my belief you need a Drs order to do so and I just am not comfortable doing it. I am definitely not doing anything that I have not actualy done before.

I see... well, it shouldn't be your responsibility to tend to their every need...

But as for people calling you "scared"..i find that very silly of them to say.... You always gotta watch your back...in hopes that you don't get sued! Good job for being assertive :)

Just keep referring them to their physician or nurse's line !!

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I find, "Wow, you're right, you're sick. You should call the doctor." works VERY well when it comes from a urse, as long as it isn't to a relative. ;)

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Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

Bigboy18-thanks good advice.

I guess I will have to keep being assertive and just say no unless its an emergency of course. I think since they are non-nursing folk, they dont undertsand that we nursing people have to follow rules, regulations, and such or face being sued or disciplined by BON. They just think hey your a nurse=free care/advice. Thanks everyone for your feedback.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

This is why I do not advertise that I am a nurse. When I am not working in a healthcare facility, I simply do not want to be bothered with the questions and solicitations for medical advice.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

I remember when I was a little kid my RN mom took out my stitches at home. I can understand doing basic nursing stuff for close family and friends, but for a non nursing co-worker, I'd have to say no...

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

Boy could I have fun with your coworkers. Show me a growth and I'd take a step back, "oh my, how long have you had that? ...oh I don't think it's anything serious..just don't touch anything around here, ok?" ; "I'd love to take your sutures out... these look like they will really hurt too. I just don't wanna void the warranty, cause you're gonna need it." I suppose there is a kinder approach such as," It looks like you're really concerned about this so showing it to your Dr. would be time and money well spent", but where's the fun in that?

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Specializes in LTC.
Boy could I have fun with your coworkers. Show me a growth and I'd take a step back, "oh my, how long have you had that? ...oh I don't think it's anything serious..just don't touch anything around here, ok?" ; "I'd love to take your sutures out... these look like they will really hurt too. I just don't wanna void the warranty, cause you're gonna need it." I suppose there is a kinder approach such as," It looks like you're really concerned about this so showing it to your Dr. would be time and money well spent", but where's the fun in that?

:lol2::yeah: That's awesome.

OP it just comes with the territory; like Commuter said, it helps to not advertise it but in your case everybody already knows you are a nurse, LOL. Believe it or not, you do get used to it; eventually instead of wanting to strangle these people you will just react with the internal eye roll while outwardly using one of Systoly's cute comebacks.

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Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

I have worked there since iI started nursing school so they knew all along I dont really advertise.

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