Are you my waitress today?

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Specializes in Emergency, Outpatient.

:madface: I work in an oncology clinic and this was the question ask to me. How would you have responded? :nono: My response was "I did not go to school for 10 years to be called a waitress. I am now 4 courses away from my second master's degree in nursing so I can provide you the best care possible. What do you need."

Tell me how you deal with these kind of comments.

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
:madface: I work in an oncology clinic and this was the question ask to me. How would you have responded? :nono: My response was "I did not go to school for 10 years to be called a waitress. I am now 4 courses away from my second master's degree in nursing so I can provide you the best care possible. What do you need."

Tell me how you deal with these kind of comments.

"is the doctor your waitor?" :D

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

Please take them with a grain of Na and think of it as an opportunity, not an insult.

My response would be, "Oh, I see you've never been in the hospital before" and I would've done some teaching about what nurses do and how much education they have to have. :) Don't miss those golden opportunities to let the public know what we do.

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"No, but if I see a waitress l"ll let you know"

In all seriousness, I tell them no, I am a nurse. Then I ask them what they need. As the shift goes on I tell them what nurses do. Sometimes it gets through.

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Specializes in 66H.

I am not sure if I would respond appropriately.... If all you want me to do today is serve you something to drink and eat, then I would be more than happy to be your waitress today. If you need medical attention, well then I guess I will be your nurse today.

i have a friend who is working through nursing school as a waitress. I got her this mug that said...

Waitress: the person paid to put up with your crap for less than minimum wage in the vain hope that you will leave a decent tip.

Nurse: the highly educated medical professional paid to put up with your crap for little more than minimum wage in the vain hope that you will not sue once your problem is fixed.

i never realized that so many people make this connection, why I have no idea.

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Waitress: the person paid to put up with your crap for less than minimum wage in the vain hope that you will leave a decent tip.

Nurse: the highly educated medical professional paid to put up with your crap for little more than minimum wage in the vain hope that you will not sue once your problem is fixed.

This is priceless - I love it! Of course when this happens to me, I laugh it off and explain I'm their nurse, but I'm still very insulted. I think it shows a lack of respect for the nursing profession. I also notice that many men of the older generations treat me more like a waitress - my guess is because back in the day nurses didn't do as much technical, high level stuff as we do now - and they think our primary focus is fluffing pillows and getting apple juice? I also think they've lived their life being catered to by their wives and see all females like this. Getting called into their room repeatedly to straighten their blankets even though they're perfectly capable is ridiculous. (Of course, not all elderly men are like this - many are sweet.)

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
I am not sure if I would respond appropriately.... If all you want me to do today is serve you something to drink and eat, then I would be more than happy to be your waitress today. If you need medical attention, well then I guess I will be your nurse today.

i have a friend who is working through nursing school as a waitress. I got her this mug that said...

Waitress: the person paid to put up with your crap for less than minimum wage in the vain hope that you will leave a decent tip.

Nurse: the highly educated medical professional paid to put up with your crap for little more than minimum wage in the vain hope that you will not sue once your problem is fixed.

i never realized that so many people make this connection, why I have no idea.

Do you think maybe it has something to do with the invisibility of the nursing profession?

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I'd have said: "No, I'm your nurse today. Your waitress is down the street at the Waffle House."

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Specializes in OR.
I'd have said: "No, I'm your nurse today. Your waitress is down the street at the Waffle House."
:rotfl:
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Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.
Please take them with a grain of Na and think of it as an opportunity, not an insult.

My response would be, "Oh, I see you've never been in the hospital before" and I would've done some teaching about what nurses do and how much education they have to have. :) Don't miss those golden opportunities to let the public know what we do.

I agree with this. I think the patient was just trying to be cute, and I LOVE the hospital suggestion :)

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
:madface: I work in an oncology clinic and this was the question ask to me. How would you have responded? :nono: My response was "I did not go to school for 10 years to be called a waitress. I am now 4 courses away from my second master's degree in nursing so I can provide you the best care possible. What do you need."

Tell me how you deal with these kind of comments.

Well, not like that, since it can come across as rude or defensive (depending on the pt.).

Probably, "No i'm not your waitress, we actually do not have waitresses or servers at this hospital. I am your nurse, here to take care of you and your health. How are you feeling? Do you need anything?"

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I would have been insulted too. I think I would have said just flat out, "No, I'm not. Do you want a waitress or a nurse?"

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