Do you educate outside of work?

[LuvMyGamecocks]

Thanks, nurses, for your input. Like many of you, I have already begun getting the questions about "what's this on my leg?" and "what could be causing this?," though I'm still a nursing student. There is one particular thing I am curious about...

It is well-known, especially to you ER nurses, that people will go to the ER for non-emergent issues. It is also well-known that these are the people that will complain first and loudest about having to wait for more than 5 minutes. There are several people that I know personally that have directed their complaints about this to ME because I suppose they're looking for a explanation (either that or ammunition), though they never ask for comments. I want soooooo badly to tell these people that "Your issue was not life threatening and you should NOT have gone to the emergency room for treatment. You had to wait because there were likely other, more seriously ill patients."

Have you nurses had to offer this explanation? Is there a more tactful way to say it? BTW, all of these whiners are my in-laws.

For whatever it's worth, a local Level II hospital has started a marketing campaign in this area directing patients to Urgent Care clinics, rather than the ER. It's quite funny, really. One billboard says in huge letters, "It's not THAT heavy." Below it: Lexington Medical Urgent Care Clinic. Subtle way to maybe change the public mindset?