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 Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
If my profession comes up I am never shy to share it. I am very proud of being a nurse.
However, my biggest problem child is my dad, which is easily fixed with a "it will be $25 an hour to check your blood pressure, get out the check book"
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
it's just not for me to exploit that i'm an RN..
what does everyone think about (sorry for those of you who have these, but i have to make a comment about this) the cars w/ the personalized tags stating "XXXX RN" ?? i haven't heard stories about nurse vehicle break ins, but it doesn't necessarily surprise me. think about it...if you're willing to advertise on your car whether it be by license plates or bumper stickers, that you're a nurse....people, unfortunately (from what i've had experience w/) relate nursing w/ $$$$. ugh. that's why the cars get broken into....or at least that's my cheap 2 cents.
Could you clarify how stating your profession is exploitation?
And people break in to cars for many reasons, I believe leaving your CD's laying all over the seat or your IPOD in the console is generally the reason, not a sticker on the bumper proclaiming you work way too hard for your money.
maybe "exploit" is too harsh. standoffish would be better....i'm not stand offish about my profession. it's a humbling, rewarding profession that has opened my eyes to a lot of different points of view regarding the world and i'm truly thankful for that. and i'm not ashamed to tell people (only if they ASK) that i'm an RN. i just don't go voluntarily announcing it to the entire general public.
that, hopefully, clarifies my stance.
and as for car break ins, i can't agree w/ you more. you're right...those who leave CDs, ipods, etc...lying on the seat are just asking for a break in. but seriously, as unfortunate as it is, people associate RN w/ $$. when i applied for my apartment, the first thing the leasing agent looked at was my profession, NOT my income. i know this because the first thing she said "oh you're a nurse!" but i do agree w/ your stance.
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
tait,
maybe "exploit" is too harsh. standoffish would be better....i'm not stand offish about my profession. it's a humbling, rewarding profession that has opened my eyes to a lot of different points of view regarding the world and i'm truly thankful for that. and i'm not ashamed to tell people (only if they ASK) that i'm an RN. i just don't go voluntarily announcing it to the entire general public.
that, hopefully, clarifies my stance.
and as for car break ins, i can't agree w/ you more. you're right...those who leave CDs, ipods, etc...lying on the seat are just asking for a break in. but seriously, as unfortunate as it is, people associate RN w/ $$. when i applied for my apartment, the first thing the leasing agent looked at was my profession, NOT my income. i know this because the first thing she said "oh you're a nurse!" but i do agree w/ your stance.
A few years ago, I went to look at a house for rent after work, I was wearing my scrubs. The landlord was late and I was waiting outside. A neighbor saw me, came outside, and asked me to help her w/ her husband for a minute.
Foolishly, I went inside and helped her lift her husband from a mattress on the floor to a w/c. I ended up helping her w/ a whole bunch of stuff (she was disabled herself). I was in there for 45 mins.
The landlord finally showed up, and I told her I'd changed my mind about the house. It was a great house, great location, cheap rent. But, I knew moving in next to the disabled couple would be a huge mistake.
but seriously, as unfortunate as it is, people associate RN w/ $$. when i applied for my apartment, the first thing the leasing agent looked at was my profession, NOT my income. i know this because the first thing she said "oh you're a nurse!" but i do agree w/ your stance.
I appreciate your clarification but ... the vast majority of nurses are middle-income, at best. IMO, if the apartment manager was impressed, it was probably more due to a perception of the stability of your income rather than perceiving that you have a high income.
I guess I just haven't experienced the notion that because I'm a nurse I'm made of money. Maybe some of you have. It's more often that I get "sympathy" because, "oh, you poor thing, having to work all kinds of shifts, and holidays and weekends ..." As if that was the worst thing.
the sad matter of truth is, i'm a POOR, BROKE nurse! yes, that's the truth....ugh. but i didn't go into nursing for the income. i went in it because i have a true compassion for human lives. that's all the compensation i need (other than a basic income to just get me and my son by).
but the income stance...maybe it's just my unfortunate luck, or my uncanny ability to be in certain places at certain times because i do, a good # of times, hear "you know, if you move to cali, you'll make X$ an hour as an RN! wow! you'll be set for life!" (yes, set for life as far as never having a huge problem of finding stable employment...not set for life as in multi-millions)
the reality is, who cares! you'd still have to probably work 2 jobs to live!
A few years ago, I went to look at a house for rent after work, I was wearing my scrubs. The landlord was late and I was waiting outside. A neighbor saw me, came outside, and asked me to help her w/ her husband for a minute.
Foolishly, I went inside and helped her lift her husband from a mattress on the floor to a w/c. I ended up helping her w/ a whole bunch of stuff (she was disabled herself). I was in there for 45 mins.
The landlord finally showed up, and I told her I'd changed my mind about the house. It was a great house, great location, cheap rent. But, I knew moving in next to the disabled couple would be a huge mistake.
And now I'm starting to think that it's a good thing that I am not a particularly trusting person. I would not have gone into a stranger's house alone. I think I would have told her that I was waiting for someone and that if she needed help, I'd be happy to call 911. Did you know who was really in the house? I'm glad that it was just your back that you strained and there wasn't a psycho in that house waiting for some young woman to come in by herself.
Just reading all these posts makes me upset at how much nurses are taken advantage of, both in and out of the hospital. I think that woman who asked you to come into her house for help should (and probably did) know better. But you are right, it is a shame that you missed out on a great opportunity for a house because the "poor disabled couple" next door set it up to take full advantage of your kind and trusting nature.
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
Generally, I play it by ear. I don't feel a need to announce it to the world. Truthfully, family is the worst offender and there's no hiding it from them. Usually it's older relatives and the younger ones who think we are a walking compendium of medical knowledge. They think I'm the closest thing they have to having a doctor in the family and I know everything about everything. I've been directing them to the internet, MDs, books and simple use-your-head common sense since I started nursing school but they think they have a right to bother me at any time of day or night. "I don't know" has become my mantra with them because they're not getting the hint.
There are times when I might think it appropriate to let the truth be known. Keeping an injured patient calm might mean the difference between life and death. You bet I'll do whatever it takes to that end.
I typically don't tell anyone that I'm a nurse, unless they specifically ask about my occupation.
This might sound standoffish, but I do not like to be questioned by people unnecessarily. Once I inform someone that I'm a nurse, they are expecting me to be the "fix-it" person by diagnosing and treating. People will also ask me a slew of questions that I frankly do not feel like answering. Sorry, but I do not want to be bothered on my days off.
In addition, the liability issues may arise if people are aware you're a nurse. An elderly lady fell while my mother and I were shopping at a retail store. I approached her to offer my assistance, but my mother was telling everyone in the crowd that, "My daughter's a nurse!" I was hoping she'd not reveal this information due to Good Samaritan laws. Thank goodness EMS arrived promptly.
LOL!!! Not laughing at the situation, but at how you mother hollers, "my daughter is a nurse!". My mother is bad about telling everyone she meets ,"My daughter is a registered nurse!". I guess she's so proud, but, I have asked her not to mention that to every stranger she meets. I mean, I want to help people, but you have to be so careful nowadays. People will sue you for the slightest thing.
It also makes me cringe when I see nurses driving around with personalized license plates. It's as if they are so proud. But they just don't realize that that pride will bring about trouble if they're not careful.
personally, i agree w/ virtually everyone's "when i'm off the clock, i am an ordinary, everyday person...not an RN" point of view. when i'm off of work and out of the facility, the last thing i want to do is still be a nurse. i put in my 13 hour shift, and that's enough for me for the day.
and as for those who do share w/ people that you're an RN, LPN, SN, whatever....that's fine. no criticism. i respect your point of view. it's just not for me to exploit that i'm an RN. heck, i don't even like walking around wal~mart in my scrubs.
what does everyone think about (sorry for those of you who have these, but i have to make a comment about this) the cars w/ the personalized tags stating "XXXX RN" ?? i haven't heard stories about nurse vehicle break ins, but it doesn't necessarily surprise me. think about it...if you're willing to advertise on your car whether it be by license plates or bumper stickers, that you're a nurse....people, unfortunately (from what i've had experience w/) relate nursing w/ $$$$. ugh. that's why the cars get broken into....or at least that's my cheap 2 cents.
I think it's not a good idea to have a personalized car tag proclaiming that one is a nurse. I haven't heard of any cars being broken into on the sole basis of the personalized car tage, but I know that, often, criminals stroll around the hospital parking lots breaking into cars because they know doctors and nurses work there. And I know we're targets for thieves. Because I am a victim.
I got mugged one morning in a Wal-Mart parking lot about 2 years ago. I had just come from work and still had my scrubs on. It was about 2am. Well, these two criminals (man and woman) had been stalking me around the store and waited for me to leave. The man walked in front of me as if he was going to his car. Well, the woman was waiting for him in the car, and when they saw me insert my key in the my car, they came to where I was parked. The man got out and came up behind me and snatched my purse. Well, at first it scared me, but a few seconds later I ran after him. As the car was coasting, I jumped in the passenger seat and attacked the guy to get him to drop my purse, well that's when he told the girl to speed up. I was being dragged by the vehicle for a few seconds before I decided to let go of the car. I suffered a mild concussion and some superficial injuries. If I hadn't of let go of the guy when I did I would have been killed.
So, people, especially ladies, please, don't wear your scrubs in Wal-mart, especially @ 2am in the morning. And don't tell anyone you don't know about your profession. It almost cost me my life. Those crooks could've mugged anyone, but they chose me because I had on scrubs. And I'm not a short, thin woman, either. I am tall, large framed and I "look" tough. They skipped over a little old man and mugged me. So, What does that tell us?
Specializes in telemetry, long-term care, oncology.
I work in a small town, everybody knows what everybody does. When I board a plane I do tell the flight attendent that I'm an RN, if they ever need help.
Tait, MSN, RN
2,142 Posts
If my profession comes up I am never shy to share it. I am very proud of being a nurse.
However, my biggest problem child is my dad, which is easily fixed with a "it will be $25 an hour to check your blood pressure, get out the check book"