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

[Brian]

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

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

My Dad uses the facility where I work, and before I became a nurse, my job transporting pts took me to just about every corner of the hospital, so a lot of the veteran staff knew me, at least by sight.

When I was in school, I was walking into work one day and passed our CEO, who said, "Hi, Mike. How's school going?"

One of the moments I felt most like a nurse was after my Dad had left AMA from the ED because he couldn't tolerate the CT scan. When we got home, I phoned his PCP to explain what had happened and what his symptoms were (orthopnea, productive cough, low fever, green sputum) and the doc phoned in a Z-pack to his pharmacy.

First pill: "Well, this isn't doing anything, I still feel like crap."

Second pill: "Wow, I feel much better. Should I save the other one?"

Last admission, Dad was an off-service oveerflow on my unit. One night I'm in charge, and one of my pals asks me not to give her the jerk in xxx tomorrow. Later, she apologizes for calling my Dad a jerk, so I asked her, "Did I argue with you?" (Dad's not a jerk, not really. But he's definitely not a good patient.)

[jmpnurse]

No I do not identify myself as a nurse when I or my family is hospitalized. Personally, I don't feel it's necessary and as a nurse I treat all my patients as if they were family even the ones who are not pleased with anything you do. I have worked in several hospitals and I always disliked when a supervisor forwarned us that a VIP was being admitted. Many times I wanted to say shouldn't we be treating all are patients equally.

[OldPhatMC]

I used to identify myself as a nurse, but since I wasn't a member of the Emergency Department cool kids club I got treated with very variable levels of respect in the ED. So now I conceal it if at all possible when I go with someone.

My doc and podiatrist like to talk shop but I never mention it to the office staff. I think that's an outgrowth of the bad experience from the ED.

Damn shame ain't it?

[sistasoul]

I don't let people know unless asked because I think it makes the healthcare workers feel like I am watching their every move. I, on the other hand, can usually always tell when a family member is a nurse.

[IVmama58]

Recently, I have been busy accompanying my elderly dad and mom to doctor's appts, day surgery, and ER visits. They have asked that I am present to listen and ask questions as I see fit. I do not act threatening or intimidating but as their advocate who happens to be a RN. My parents are proud of my profession and I don't mind that they share that. I do notice that the MDs, RNs and NPs then also include me when engaging in conversation. With the many mistakes I have witnessed being made, I want them paying attention to what they are doing. If knowing there is a medical professional watching makes them more aware and proactive then so be it.

[LuvtheER]

Sometimes it's difficult not to.... I took my 81 yr old grandmother to the ER when she began hallucinating and was 1 week s/p fall. I noticed a strong smell of urine when helping change her into a gown and knowing she had a hx of UTI's due to a neurogenic bladder I mentioned it to the ER MD. He ordered a u/a and 3 hrs later after CT,ekg,labs I mentioned for the 2nd time to the RN that she needed to urinate and I believed the Dr wanted a specimen. She grabbed a dusty bedpan from a shelf and scooted it under her. I was speechless as she left the room with the bedpan in hand. The Dr came in a short time later and said the urine looked bad and he was sending it for culture. It was only then did I identify myself as a RN and told him how the sample was obtained. Needless to say, a different RN came in to cath her and that sample was clean. Turns out she had been self medicating herself with Benadryl for cold symptoms which gorked her out. She was seeing some really cool stuff though...my favorite was when she told me the Aliens had been making her run in the hamster cage and she really needed a nap now....

[delgadojbc]

I try to avoid telling people I'm a nurse. They usually get defensive and it makes for some awkwardness. I also can't pretend I'm all-knowing, the medical assistant at the pediatrician's office knows more than I do, I've never done Pedi. That being said, I only pull the nurse card if somebody tries talking to me as if I'm ignorant and addresses me as you would a 5 year old.

[TopazLover, BSN, RN]

When my husband was ill in ICU I did tell staff, especially the MDs that I was a nurse. I specifically asked them to talk medical to me rather than trying to put into placating words what was happening.One of the docs thanked me. His point was that he could easily explain things in technical terms but had difficulty when patients/families had little knowledge of how the body is normally working.

Another MD told the entire ICU staff, starting with all the intensivists, so I had easy access to updates, labs, results of findings. They all seemed to appreciate my knowledge and ability to be part of Mike's team. I was the wife who wanted and needed info. It made a huge difference when things were going south.

I think it is important how you present the info. I have seen some nurses who seem to tell only to be threatening to staff. I usually turn it around by trying to include them in the care, as appropriate.

As a patient in hospital I usually don't tell.

[SmilingBluEyes]

No. I want to be treated as well and as per normal for all patients. I see a lot and learn a lot more when I keep my mouth shut.

[sunnycalifRN]

I've never been a patient (knocking on wood) but when family has been in the hospital, I don't identify myself as an RN . . . don't see any reason to . . . if asked, I don't lie, though.

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

This can be a double edged sword, especially in a highly specialized area....in which you have no real experience

Maybe, but most of the time it's necessary.

Case in point: My grandfather was admitted to the hospital yesterday. I visited prior to going to work (and changing into scrubs).

I was told by his nurse he was "severely anemic and his kidneys were impaired".

I'm an ICU nurse. To me, "severely anemic" is a nebulously subjective statement that requires clarification and quantifying. Ditto for "impaired kidneys".

I asked what his H&H, BUN/CR, and BMP results were. Knowing these things helps me interpret what's going on so I can actually convey the course of treatment to him and my family (as is typical for most patients and families, they were in the dark).

[RN <><]

Only if they ask.