Have you ever been mistaken for a doctor?

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So, I have heard some stories of female doctors being mistaken for nurses...so I was wondering this: have you, as a male nurse, been mistaken for a doctor?

I'm in nursing school and was told I was the best doctor this older woman ever had (all I did was raise the head of the bed). I thanked her and went about my way.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Flight Nursing.

Sure, but it's no big deal. Male nurses are still less than 10% of the nursing workforce, so it's a natural mistake. Just smile, let the patient or family know that you're a nurse, and then find out how to make his or her day better. These days with the flight suit, I'm more often mistaken for a paramedic.

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Specializes in ambulant care.

We have only "long-time-patients". They know my male collegue well. But they call him constantly "Doctor". - Not as a mistake rather as a fun.- He uses to reply - with a low vioce and a wide smile - : "I would like to have the salary!"

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Yep. I correct them.

Introducing yourself with patient hand off and especially when pt's families/friends are in the room seems to really help.

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Only when I am wearing a lab coat.

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When I was at nursing school I was always mistaken as a medical student on shifts. Can't speak as an RN, I only recently graduated and registered.

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

Unquestionably, from the very beginning of my long career I been called many things and yes, one of many tittles is "Hey Doc" which I correct immediately; even though I keep my picture ID very visible. However, at the end of the conversation the patient ends with "Okay doc, see you later" On the other hand, I been asked "Why didn't you become a doctor?" which I reply a doctor comes and sees the patient for no longer than 5 or 8 minutes My passion lays on giving a higher caliber of nursing care which allows me to be present from the very beginning of any patient under my care and thereafter, knowing that I witness their path to a healthy physical and state of mind. On the other hand, I also like to be present when there's no hope and my job is to make their suffering a little more doable by supporting them trough the hard times, which at times just being there and listening is more comforting than any given medication.

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Specializes in Perioperative / RN Circulator.

As a 50 year old nursing student and CNA with silver hair, in scrubs and maybe wearing a lab coat? All the time

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Specializes in Practice educator.

Yes, particularly on icu as we all wear the same scrubs. It's a generation thing, now our F1s are 80% female, so in the future it's unlikely.

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