Do you all ever do this??

Published

I went to the local county fair last night and discovered a funny thing about myself:

As a nurse at a relatively small hospital, I find my uniform and my name tag give me certain privileges as I walk through the hospital. I can stop and talk to anyone I want, whether I know them or not, and people LIKE it. If I smile at visitors or patients that are not mine, they frequently stop to chat. I never really thought about it before, and am not sure if I am explaining it right. And this extends to kids, too. I can talk to any kids wandering around the hospital and it is fine.

Well, last night at the fair, I was smilling at and talking to kids, and it took a little while to realize that I was getting weird looks. It took longer to realize that it was because I am so used to being able to do it at work, that I for some reason carry that behaviour out the doors! Then I felt silly, cause all anyone saw at the fair was a crazy woman walking around talking to people she didn't even know. :rolleyes: :chuckle

Have any of you ever had an experience like that? I must remember that I am not as "important" outside of the hospital as I am inside. LOL

Laura

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I've noticed something somewhat similar Laura. If I'm stopping somewhere after work, and am in my scrubs, I find it invites the attention of alot of people, particularly kids, and with full parental trust. And I don't mind that, but I don't seek it out, with or without the uniform.

Take away the uniform, and we're just crazy women looking for some kiddies to kidnap!

But you know what I think? I don't think it's so much the scrubs, but more about the stethescope. I've run into stores without it, and the reaction isn't the same.

Heather

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Howdy yall

from deep in the heat of texas

I like the way police officers are much less inclined to give us a ticket if we are in scrubs.

And Heather just think of the reaction you would get if ran into a store carrying a large lady partsl speculum

wooohoooooo

doo wah ditty

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Got stopped by a traffic cop a few weeks back (my headlight was out). The conversations went like this. "Maam, the reason I stopped you is that your headlight is out. (Sees me in my scrubbs). Are you just getting off work at the hospital ("yes"). "Well, we'll just blame this one on the old man...you have a nice night, Maam"

Got stopped last week for speeding. (I know, I know...no excuses!) The conversation went like this: "Maam, do you realize how fast your were driving?" ("No, but I am sure I was. We are running late and I wasn't paying proper attention"...get out my driver's liscense...fumble around for registration...can't find proof of insurance 'cause it's my daughter's car and I am not use to her 'filing system'.) Notices my scrubs and badge. "Well Maam, I am going to extend you a big break today and just leave you with a warning. We had a big accident on this very road earlier in the week and I am sure you realize the importance of safety on the road" At this point my three kids are open-mouthed amazed. My daughter said "Wow, Mom I cannot BELIEVE he did not give you a ticket!!" I replied. Well, honey, I guess it's because I save lives" :) :) :)...but inside I was amazed too and have since been extra careful not to push my luck.

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Originally posted by teeituptom

I like the way police officers are much less inclined to give us a ticket if we are in scrubs.

I heard that one from the horse's mouth. State Trooper sitting in my MIL's barber chair once, said nurses and cops are supposed to "take care of each other."

I keep an old stethescope in my glove compartment. So even if I'm not in scrubs, I have to pull out the stethescope to get to my insurance info. "Oops! How'd this get in there?"

Heather

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Yes folks:)

It's the same here in the UK

j:kiss

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I've gotten so used to having a nmae badge on, I don't notice it. Used to be the the checker at the market would call me by name (before discount cards that profile your shopping preferences) and I couldn't figure out how they knew who I was. Hey, after a 12 hr shift I get a bit slow and dopey once out of the hospital.

More than anything I think as nurses we are most fortunate, we are one of the professions that can talk to and touch (with permission these days) people. It's sad that when more and more people are isolated from one another, we are less and less able to reach out to one another for fear of intruding.

There is so much coldness in the world. How refreshing that someone is out there saying hello and talking to strangers.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, ICU, Neurosciences.

I guess I've had a different kind of luck. I was speeding on the freeway one morning since I was running late. A state trooper going the other direction turned around in the median and pulled me over. He saw the scrubs and the name badge, and said, "I'm going to have to ticket you. You should know better than to speed being a nurse and all." When he was done ticketing me, he said, "Be careful and slow down--we need to keep nurses alive!"

I don't ever assume that my uniform or my badge are gonna keep me out of trouble anymore!

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Specializes in Hospice/Homehealth/Homecare.

They NEVER let me go :crying2: Scrub, stethecope, or not. Must have something to do with the sticker on my car that says:

SURE YOU CAN TRUST THE GOVERNMENT, JUST ASK ANY INDIAN

and another sticker that supports Leonard Peltier.

However, I do know what you mean about people talking to you when you're walking around. I don't know why, but I always get asked if I'm a doctor---I always wear blue hospital scrubs and a lab coat==it's nice to know I look like I could afford medical school :rotfl:

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Howdy yall

from deep in the heart of texas

well bestblonde here are some tips

1. offer to share your donut with them.

2. Dont ask if thats a Glazed look in their eyes

3 never ask if he is in the middle of a donut deficiency

4. remind him you put foley catheters in people.

5. Dont ask if hes had a liquid lunch

6. never say "Gee Officer"

7/ dont ask the officer why his eyes are bloodshot. Isthat why you really wear sunglasses.

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I've noticed the thing with talking to people.

I naturaly smile at people and look them in the eye. When Im at the hospital with my nursing gear on people smile back and some times stop and talk.

When Im in public women think Im hitting on them. Kids think Im scoping them out to kidnap them. And men ...well lets just say they never drop thire keys in front of me.

It's kinda funny, I think its nice in a way that people trust nurses but I also think its sad that people dont smile back on the street.

I hope if I ever get pulled over its on my way to work

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Hi,

I did the same thing last week at the local "Kwick n Easy" food mart - I was talking to 2 children outside and their mother ran outside and yellled "Get in here right now - What did I say about strangers!"

I felt like a creep! I DID NOT have on my scrubs. I forget - I talk too much when outside the facility! I'm waiting for the headlines in our small town local paper to read " Crazy lady talking to kids in parking lot! - Keep Your Children Close!"

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