Do You Keep It to Yourself That Your a Nurse Outside of Work?

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 18, 2009

I was just thinking about this the other day. Good to read what other people have thought. A while back, I walked into a grocery store with my stethescope around my neck... I had changed into street clothes, but for some reason put it back on out of habit? I just was there to get something quick. But I wondered why I had a few people do a double take... then I looked down wondering what part of my clothing was missing :chuckle So, tired you know, who knows, might have forgot my bra again!! LOL! But, I had a little panic attack. As if I didn't want the "public" to know I was in medicine?! I still am not sure why I felt that way. Its not like everybody was gonna code and drop to the floor while I was there! LOL!

truern · Jan 18, 2009

I don't have to tell anybody...they can tell by the white dress, cap, hose and shoes I wear EVERYWHERE!! Then there's the stethoscope around my neck, the HUGE red cross I've embroidered on my cap and dress...well, you get the picture

Truthfully, I'm proud to be a nurse and if push comes to shove I can always tell them I have "RN" after my name, not "MD". :yeah:

burn out · Jan 18, 2009

I don't usually tell people what I do unless it comes up in conversation because unless a person has walked in a nurses shoes do they really know what it means to be a nurse. My family does not nearly comprehend what I do in a days time. Strangers have their own preconceived ideas and I am sure they do not even come close to the reality of nursing(perhaps even would be insulting). My patients however know I am a nurse and it doesn't matter to them if a nurse is a RN or LPN but they can tell the good ones from the bad ones and they let you know.

If you are even on this website I think that says that Nursing is more than what you do, it is who you are.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 18, 2009

I would rather not mention it, but because I travel to work with my white uniform, they usually know. To be honest, I have told some people I am a CNA or nursing student because I don't like to be besieged with medical questions. I mean, do they approach their banker in the street and expect them to drop what they are doing for insane questions? But it is okay to bother nurses? It's not right to me because I have a right to a private life. I have had neighbors who normally don't speak to me knock on my door to ask me to give grandma an insulin injection...I have no order, no proof of what she should get and when, no fingerstick...why infringe on my time?

I guess I got this way because the more I read, the more uncomfortable I am with announcing it.

skittlebear · Jan 18, 2009

i'm pretty much the same way, i only tell people what i do if they ask, and even then i'd really rather not tell them, for various reasons, one of which being that i don't want them bugging me with medical questions; also because i've never felt like i was cut out for nursing and that i should have chose a different career so i guess i don't take much pride in it...i guess that makes me want to keep it to myself.

this is exactly how i feel!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 18, 2009

Would it be easier to tell someone if you were a RN instead?

Curious...what do you mean by this? For one the OP stated she is an LPN, in addition it is illegal to misrepresent oneself as something they are not. Also, this can be taken that only RNs considered to be or respected as nurses.

skittlebear · Jan 18, 2009

would it be easier to tell someone if you were a rn instead?

actually...no! i'm most definitely not ashamed to be an lpn! i guess i would feel more adequate if i had more experience working in a hospital or nursing home setting. i feel comfortable with the job i'm doing now (to some degree)...i work in a home care setting with the developmentally challanged. i guess i would have more "pride" if i had experience working in a hospital or nursing home. i had every intention after graduating lpn school in '05' to go back and get my rn. i even had completed all the prerequisites required to get in the rn program. i just fell in love with the patients i work with now and got comfy where i'm at. they are special and such a joy to work with. :heartbeat

on another note, i am not ashamed and when i do tell people, i will say, "i'm an lpn", not, "i'm a nurse" (even though i feel an lpn is a nurse 100%!!! : ) i would do the same if i was an rn.

bema257 · Jan 18, 2009

I don't broadcast my profession. I reply only if asked. I make sure to let people know I'm a psych nurse and they need to speak with their physician.

RN1982 · Jan 18, 2009

I don't answer medical questions from anyone, friends and family included. My brain needs a break when I'm not at work. My parents and sister are good about it. My extended family is obnoxious about it though. "I have a scratch on my arm what should I do"...(insert rolling my eyes)...."Put a band aide on it"....What drives me nuts the most is when my mom suggests antibiotics for everything. I'll have a cold, she says I need antibiotics to which I reply "Mom, by the time I am your age, we will all be Z-pak resistant." Drives me nuts.

CathyLew · Jan 18, 2009

Yea, I don't answer medical quesitons or offer advice. I am however the one everyone turns to when it comes to removing fish-hooks up at camp. be it dogs or people! I am more gentle with the dogs.... they don't know any better. The people should learn!

with medical questions, I tell people they need to contact their physicial. I will however prompt them on additional questions they should be asking.

RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2009

I too don't find the need to introduce myself saying....Hi I'm Susan and a nurse, and you are?....lol but I do get asked often and get interesting reations when they ask what kind of nursing as I work in psych. I either get ...wow that must be interesting.....takes a special person to work with those people.........Geez not sure if that is a compliment or.......those people? like they are leppers! lol Or Oh god why would you want to work in psych?? Those people are nuts!!

But I do get some people who are curious and truly interested in what its like. So No I don't hide being a nurse or what kind of nurse. I am proud and being embarrased about the population I work with would just reinforce the negative view so many have of mental illness.

lpNcharge · Jan 18, 2009

being a total greenhorn and a proud graduate:up: it is often hard to contain my excitement....but...i dont broadcast my profession. Most of the time I dont have to, i go to the grocery store...i'm in scrubs...i meet a friend for lunch..i'm in scrubs. The downfall, I live in a relatively small town...i see more people that i know than i want sometimes. I see my patients, family and old friends, they stop me EVERYTIME (it seems) and they ALL have medical questions!!! UGH!! what ever happened to "hi how are ya? hows the family?" I have learned (very quickly) to politely them to call their docotors office or call our office for an appt ...it usually works. when i am buying groceries i am worried about coupons, trans fats and calories...NOT what color your sputum is!!! :bluecry1:

So anyway....i have had an embarrassing experience. My mom, who is very proud of my accomplishment, calls me one Saturday am. She's "sick as a dog", I tell her sounds like she needs to be treated today blah blah blah...I told her to go to the walk in clinic (one of two in town). She goes, sees the NP there. THEN, THEN, THEN...proceeds to tell the NP that "my daughter that's a new LPN graduate told me the same thing, she just can't prescribe antibiotics." OMG!! I was like...really??? Mom!!! Really!!! you CANT say that to people ITS RUDE!!! She insisted she is just proud. i told her that i was flattered but PLEASE by no circumstances, don't do that again. :no: The town is too small...i would be mortified if i ran into the NP (i know her vaguely).