Do you identify yourself as a nurse when you or your family are a patient?

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  1. Do you identify yourself as a nurse when you or your family are a patient?

    • 1977
      Yes
    • 2195
      No
    • 2755
      Sometimes
    • 363
      Never

7,290 members have participated

We've all been in the situation when either we are the patient or our family and/or loved ones are the patient.

Do you identify yourself as a nurse?

Please answer our quick poll, then share your stories or why or why not.

Thanks

Specializes in Medical/Surgical/Maternal and Child.

I would imagine that if you are being admitted for inpatient or outpatient care, the admissions papers would have your occupation listed on them so there's no way around hiding the fact you are a nurse and it's really not anything to be ashamed of. Gadzooks!!! We worked our butts off for that RN. I'm not saying we should shout it from the rooftops but if asked, why deny it.

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Specializes in -.

I usually don't tell unless I am asked what I do for a living (Nursing Student), however my mom is going through chemo at the moment and is telling all her nurses about me...Shes like "Oh heres my daughter, shes going to be a nurse also"...can be a bit embarrasing !!:uhoh3:

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I don't like to have important information sprung on me later, so for all of you who don't tell staff you're a nurse, that's how it feels when you're caring for someone and suddenly someone points out the fact that you're a nurse. Makes me feel like the State snuck in and no one told me. Not that I do anything grossly wrong, but it changes my whole tactical picture. I can say things to nurses that speed up care delivery because I don't have to translate everything. I can say "OK next we're going to do a HIDA, so don't drink anything after 7," and the nurse will understand or know enough to ask the appropriate questions about the procedure, but I don't have to explain every. last. detail. about how it works, which I usually do for a lay person.

My family tells people I'm a nurse, and I so work it into the conversation for those reasons. Then I add "but I do cardiac stuff and I don't know much about your area, so please feel free to explain." It's impossible to intimidate a cardiac nurse if it is a heart problem, and the other nurses have always been very helpful once they realize I'm not there to monitor them and steal their license.

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I don't want to make the staff feel uncomfortable while I am in the room so I do not say anything. I would speak up if they are doing something improperly that is dangerous to myself or my family.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

I try not to.

It makes a new nurse very nervous once they ask my background, and an experienced one annoyed.

So.

I avoid it as much as possible.

UNLESS--I have to intervene. That's a different story.

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:mnnnrsngrk:

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i also try not to. Not to say that it hasn't gotten out there. My own doctor and I worked side by side when i was in nursing school - it's one of his favorite stories: i was wrist deep in cleaning up a patient and he asks me if i think that the patient still needs a laxative!

I don't want to make other nurses or doc's uncomfortable, nor do i always want to think like a nurse. I don't want to have a point of explaination glossed over because my medical provider assumed i already knew what "xyz" meant and didnt want to insult me by explaining it.

On the other hand, i agree, there are times when you need tp pull out the nurse card to get down to brass tacks and get some stuff accomplished.

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Well said! I totally agree;-)

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If you think it might make someone tense to know you're a nurse up front, how much more awkward and uncomfortable would they feel if they found out later? That could add a dimension of not playing fair or being ambushed after the fact.

I almost always say that I'm an RN, but I add that I'm only letting them know that so they can speak in medical terms and not have to feel that they will overwhelm me. I hasten to reassure them that I am not there (whether as a patient, family member, or friend) to challenge or second-guess them in an unhealthy manner and that I will do my best not to get in their way.

Without exception, the response has been a good one. As soon as I let them know I'm not the RN-relative from hell, they appreciate whatever input I have and have been most willing and forthcoming in their communication.

When my own patients (postpartum families) are from the medical field (I can see this in the chart), I let them know that I will answer any technical questions they might have, but also encourage them to enjoy just being a patient and letting me care for them. For most, once they have their medical minds satisfied (lab results, med info, etc.) they are happy to let go and be on the receiving end of care.

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..

Often I decide not to. I get more info that way. Then if I don't get the info I want or I want to suggest something that needs to be done, I may identify myself. it depends.

Recently I started going to a chiropractor. Based on my new patient paperwork where it had asked the occupation, I wrote "nurse." So when he was interviewing me and explaining what we'd be doing, he said, "I don't have to explain all this to you, you're a nurse." Not in a snooty way, just almost as a compliment.

I corrected him. "Pretend I'm NOT. Tell me everything as if I DON'T know". Cuz obviously I am NOT a chiropractor.

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Specializes in ICU.
...I don't write with a med rep pen unless I'm at work...

Haha, I sure do! I'll never have to buy another pen in my life at this rate. I have a fantastic Integrilin pen that's my current favorite. Vendors and med reps are fun. :)

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Specializes in ICU.

Absolutely. I don't shout it from the doorway, or say it in any way to be snide or obnoxious, however I have had several instances where the care my family or myself have received has been less than ideal and upon the staff finding out my health care experience it has SIGNIFICANTLY improved. Usually you can slip it into casual conversation like, 'I hear you there, I'm a nurse too and ..... ', or 'would you like me to call you, or can I refill the water if I write it down, I don't want to mess up your I&O's ...'

I also firmly believe that everyone who is hospitalized should have some sort of advocate there with them who knows how to navigate the health care system. Too often the patient falls into the role of the patient and sits by passively assuming that the care providers know what is best for them, or have intimate knowledge of their medical history. I have 'fired' nurses and residents, but it's my family they are taking care of, this is not a rehearsal for the 'real' patient. I don't claim to know their job, but many aspects of health care are universal. I also will always fill out the comment card for those excellent nurses and aids, I've even dropped an email to the manager letting her know the excellent care. I think dropping the RN card so to speak is all in the delivery, as are so many things in life...

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