I am beginning to see that this is not always wise to do. I hear from some of my nurse friends that neighbors will knock on your door in the middle of the night to come and help their sick relatives, then possibly blame you later if things go south, even with your intervention. One friend in particular told me that her husband witnessed an accident on the highway around the corner from her home. He tells one of the motorists to come with him, because his wife is a nurse and will 'fix him up'. She was outraged. Another friend of mine told me that she gets approached when going to her gym when people do not feel well. Basically, she feels that it is an invasion of her private time.
I travel by public transportation to work, and because I do not have a locker, I wear my uniform. I have my MP3 player on and trying to relax to the music before I get bombarded at the job. People will sit next to me, tap me and ask me a slew of health related questions. I feel that I have no chart before me, no labs, no history,so I tell them that legally, I am not comfortable answering their questions. Then, they get rude; saying that nurses are supposed to care. Hey, I do! This is why I refuse to answer questions inaccurately. At times, patients are not the right source of information, it is fragmented, or they tell you what they wish for you to know. Why give wrong information? I have had people invite me to places "...because so and so will be there, she/he is sick, and it would be a comfort to know that a nurse is around..." therefore, I have refused these invitations. I am not experienced, and while I know that it is true, we are nurses 24/7, we need a break as well. I've had close friends call me and ask me to come 'check out my grandmother...etc'.
I love being a nurse (most days, when I am not burned out). But, I don't want to be taxed of my time, or face a lawsuit. The same person you help may be the person who wants to sue you later for damages. Better safe than sorry, I say.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
why would a nurse be an easy target?
Here are my suspicions on why a nurse would be widely regarded as an easy target.
1. We're stereotypically regarded as 'caring' and 'compassionate,' and are probably not expected to do any harm to the assailant who attempts to mug us in the dark parking lot. The criminal element might not expect us to fight back when they attack.
2. Most people, including robbers and thieves, have some awareness that nurses are middle income earners. Middle income people are more likely to have some money and/or credit cards in their possession than poverty-stricken individuals. Criminals would rather target a middle-income earner over a low-income person.
I heard this somewhere before but dont really understand, why would a nurse be an easy target?
I love what I do and am very proud of my profession and yes I do have a sticker on my car that says RN.
I remember hearing the same thing. It was due to the fact that nurses are perceived as people who are caring and wanting to help others. I think it was Ted Bundy who targeted some nursing students. He played upon their wanting to help him (he was on crutches and acted like he needed help moving something).
They had said that criminals think that nurses are more willing to help and less weary of strangers, so they will not see the criminal as anything other than a person in need.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Also, people think that nurses carry drugs or have easy access to narcs. Any crack head or dope user may think we have syringes on us, or prescription pads where they can obtain narcartics.
In answer to the question of can I cover my uniform-not really. We are required to wear white pants and shoes. In fact, more often now, white is a requirement for nurses at many of the facilities around my area in order to differentiate us from CNAs and techs. It is cold these days, so I have to wear a coat, but the pants and shoes are visible.
I don't think it is good for it to be public knowledge to have everyone know I am a nurse. I am not the 'Dear Abby' of medical advice, and I am not the avenging angel that has to be invited to every wedding or barbeque to assure the others of a nursing presence. Slowly, I am really seeing the legalities and risks. I have a friend who recently became an LPN. She lives in an area that is really kind of wild. There has been a couple living on her floor in the apartment complex that has domestic violence issues. I told her not to tell anyone she is a nurse, and if she feels that the violence is escalating to the point where she and the neighbors hear it, she should call 911 via her cell phone so that she can't be traced. Are we mandated reporters? Yes we are, especially when children are involved (not that case here). But, in no way do I feel that we have to risk our own personal safety. My friend is not in a position to move out tomorrow, so, she has to protect her own interests. The world is not that safe, sorry to say.
I don't hang steths and other crap from my rearview mirror... and as a APN... I don't have to wear "uniforms" other than business attire ("GQ" jackets/shirt/tie/slacks). I am not particularly worried about becoming a "victim" because like many of the nurses (male and Female) here... I have a CCW (concealed carry weapons permit, I carry daily, and WILL shoot the $hit out of anyone standing between me and home...!!! On first glance... I look like a well dressed Detective).
My wife doesn't even ask for my medical (FNP/PA-C) opinion anymore for her and the kids (unless there is blood involved)... because she KNOWS... I will simply refer her and them (the kids/in-laws/neighbors) to their respective PCPs... (treating family and friends is "bad juju").
When she did (10 years ago) my standard response was always... "Make a appointment with your/their PCP...:w00t:
I tell people I am a waitress. Most days it feels like that to me. And I actually like my job.
The other reason you don't want to advertise that you are a nurse is because some drug seekers may think things are like in the old days when nurses may have some drugs etc in their nursing bag. People don't realize that we don't have any drugs on us anymore.
Here are my suspicions on why a nurse would be widely regarded as an easy target.
1. We're stereotypically regarded as 'caring' and 'compassionate,' and are probably not expected to do any harm to the assailant who attempts to mug us in the dark parking lot. The criminal element might not expect us to fight back when they attack.
2. Most people, including robbers and thieves, have some awareness that nurses are middle income earners. Middle income people are more likely to have some money and/or credit cards in their possession than poverty-stricken individuals. Criminals would rather target a middle-income earner over a low-income person.
Also, most people have a general idea of the hours we work. This is especially dangerous for those who work 3-11 and nights, IMO.
Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.
:hrnsmlys:
Good grief NO!! A nurse is not WHO I am, it's what I do for work. I have many other interests & abilities-- I'm also a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend....a PTA member, a school board member, a runner, and an avid cook.....to name a few. If someone asks what I do for work, of course then I tell them- otherwise I don't see the point. :-) (I instructed my parents & husband years ago not to introduce me as "Nickola--THE NURSE" or "this is Nickola- she's A NURSE" !!)
WISE woman, Nickola! :yelclap:
Nurses are NOT nurses 24/7. Nurses are nurses while on duty. Being PAID to be a nurse.
Nursing is the job one does. It does not define WHO a person is. If it does, then that's rather sad. One's life is MORE than the job one does.
I was a nurse. A proud to BE a nurse. I'm now a retired nurse. But did I ever reveal my occupation unless really required; Hell no!
I am beginning to see that this is not always wise to do. I hear from some of my nurse friends that neighbors will knock on your door in the middle of the night to come and help their sick relatives, then possibly blame you later if things go south, even with your intervention. One friend in particular told me that her husband witnessed an accident on the highway around the corner from her home. He tells one of the motorists to come with him, because his wife is a nurse and will 'fix him up'. She was outraged. Another friend of mine told me that she gets approached when going to her gym when people do not feel well. Basically, she feels that it is an invasion of her private time.
I travel by public transportation to work, and because I do not have a locker, I wear my uniform. I have my MP3 player on and trying to relax to the music before I get bombarded at the job. People will sit next to me, tap me and ask me a slew of health related questions. I feel that I have no chart before me, no labs, no history,so I tell them that legally, I am not comfortable answering their questions. Then, they get rude; saying that nurses are supposed to care. Hey, I do! This is why I refuse to answer questions inaccurately. At times, patients are not the right source of information, it is fragmented, or they tell you what they wish for you to know. Why give wrong information? I have had people invite me to places "...because so and so will be there, she/he is sick, and it would be a comfort to know that a nurse is around..." therefore, I have refused these invitations. I am not experienced, and while I know that it is true, we are nurses 24/7, we need a break as well. I've had close friends call me and ask me to come 'check out my grandmother...etc'.
I love being a nurse (most days, when I am not burned out). But, I don't want to be taxed of my time, or face a lawsuit. The same person you help may be the person who wants to sue you later for damages. Better safe than sorry, I say.
What are your thoughts?
I have never made a secret of my profession, have taken public transportation - in uniform - to and from work, and no one has ever given me a hard time with my reponse of "I'm sorry you are having that problem, I think you need to see your doctor about it". And I go right back to whatever it was that I was doing. Anyone rude enough to bother a stranger with earbuds in on a commuter train is not worth the second thoughts over whether or not they think *you're* uncaring for not answering a question that's out of your scope of practice to begin with. If pushed further, why can't you just say "I don't know you, why are you harassing me?" and change your seat? There is no reason why we have to bend over backwards for people who start out rude and out of line, nor feel bad about it!
I only tell those who have a need to know. Once people find out you're a nurse suddenly they think they can call you for all kinds of free medical advice. I always tell them to check with their doctor. Even if I now the solution I don't tell them. That's just asking for trouble.
I'm talking about people in general. My family, friends, neighbors obviously know. I usually give them the same advice though, check with your doctor.
:lol2:
:bowingpur
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
1. We're stereotypically regarded as 'caring' and 'compassionate,' and are probably not expected to do any harm to the assailant who attempts to mug us in the dark parking lot. The criminal element might not expect us to fight back when they attack.
2. Most people, including robbers and thieves, have some awareness that nurses are middle income earners. Middle income people are more likely to have some money and/or credit cards in their possession than poverty-stricken individuals. Criminals would rather target a middle-income earner over a low-income person.