Do you tell nurses ands Dr's that you are a nurse when you are the pt?

christymwinn · Mar 14, 2006

For me, it depends on the situation. With my family and they are the patients I wait to see how they are taking care of them. If I feel it is necessary b/c they are not being taken care of properly, I will let them know, but I would like to think I do it in a good way. When I have been a patient, no I don't.

One thing positive I can really say about the doctor knowing.... My childeren's ped dr.!!! I used to be a float nurse in his office and since the office remembers me and knows my knowledge base I can call in when my children are sick (say an ear infection) and I do not have to haul them into the office when i already know what is wrong with them! I have my own otoscope for 6 years now and it was definitley worth the money!!

Christine

auzzieneuronurse · Mar 14, 2006

I tend to tell them as they give you a little more info and less dumbed down! They figure it out pretty quickly by the questions you ask anyway.

farishtaRN · Mar 14, 2006

I usually tell; I don't make a huge issue out of telling, but I have found that I get better answers and more info when they realize that I actually know what is being talking about. Especially with my kids; I want the staff to realize that I am very aware of what treatments/procedures they are doing, and that I know how they should be done! I guess when it comes to my kids, I don't mind keeping people on their toes; however, this has almost never happened. I have found that usually other nurses and Drs are very helpful and usually grateful to have a patient who is actually willing to take on some of the extra care and procedures if at all possible.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2006

I tend to tell them as they give you a little more info and less dumbed down! They figure it out pretty quickly by the questions you ask anyway.

So true! I'm only a student, but the last time I had surgery the anesthesiologist asked me if I'm a pharmacist. It was the questions I asked, and the drugs I told him not to give me LOL. Example, I said please no Phenergan :nono: Compazine is fine, please no Morphine, Demerol is ok, etc.

weetziebat · Mar 14, 2006

No, I don't tell them if I can get away with it. Being a patient in the same hospital where I worked made it clear to me that knowing I am a nurse was making a lot of them nervous.

I also agree that they tend to assume I know everything about everything and don't bother going into explanations that I might appreciate.

I once had a D&C for a incomplete abortion, and coming out of anesthesia heard the surgeon tell the interns that I was 'depressed'. I remember sitting straight up on the stretcher and asking 'you mean vital sign depressed'? He laughed and said 'Oh, we must be dealing with a nurse here'. Yes, we do tend to give ourselves away.

mandana · Mar 14, 2006

I remember sitting straight up on the stretcher and asking 'you mean vital sign depressed'? He laughed and said 'Oh, we must be dealing with a nurse here'. Yes, we do tend to give ourselves away.

That's pretty funny! But I'm sorry for your loss.

Amanda