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 home health, neuro, palliative care.
i had to laugh while reading the other posts and comparing my situation. most of my friends, neighbors, etc. know i am ahospice nurse and i'm never bothered. even when i tried to help a gentleman at a meeting last week who was sob he saw it was me and said "thanks but i don't need you yet." like i have a bottle of morphine in my pocket just waiting. oh well i guess there are some perks to being seen as an angel of death.:innerconf
omg, that is funny! i am considering hospice, so maybe it won't be an issue for me either. i hope not, because i tell everyone i am a nursing student. i can't shut up about it. i like the idea of letting the flight attendants know i'm an rn (when the time comes) as well.
I am currently a nursing student (graduating May 08, YAY!), but I have experience with this problem already (through my husband). He is a computer network administrator :typing . As soon as anyone finds out, he is asked to provide recommendations or a spec list for a new computer they are thinking of buying or to help with "this weird error message" they keep getting. While he loves what he does and is happy to help people, this annoys me because I've seen him research/work for hours for no pay for people who don't even buy the computer he recommended anyway.
So, there's my rant on that. Anyway, I guess this is just a part of life... people trying to get something for free. I've taken note of some of the responses others have posted to help with this scenario in my future nursing career.
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 dont tell people all the time- if they find out then i tell them i am sorry i cant diagnose propblems but it sounds like something they should see thier doc for and leave it at that. if its somene closer liek a close friend or relatyive i may give a mild opinion of what it may be but i also follow up with but i suugest you see a doctor - i always stop at accidents - the only problem i ever had with taht was one time the EMT guys were jerks and physically pushed me aside as i was trying to get over the bogs to get out of the way ( i was kneeling in the bogs at a car overturend in ditch to hlep steady the persons head and get the other one sitting as he was walking around and i didnt think that was to good lol) - sprained my ankle getting pushed- shoulda called his supervisor- i had introduced myself as an RN and what i had witneessed ,already told them what i had assessed so far as i could get in there ( pts consciouness, any compliants they had had etc) they siad it didnt matter get my ass out of the way and shoved me- almost never stopped again- but did - majority of folks appreciate the help and stabilizing what you can ( and yes i had made sure swcene was safe before going down into ditch etc )
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I just find that at times, I can be placed on the spot, and I do not wish to be invited to places just because it assures people that a nurse is present to care for their needs when I am not being paid. I have to say more times than I need to that I cannot diagnose, they must go to their doctors.
i always stop at accidents - the only problem i ever had with taht was one time the EMT guys were jerks and physically pushed me aside as i was trying to get over the bogs to get out of the way ( i was kneeling in the bogs at a car overturend in ditch to hlep steady the persons head and get the other one sitting as he was walking around and i didnt think that was to good lol) - sprained my ankle getting pushed- shoulda called his supervisor- i had introduced myself as an RN and what i had witneessed ,already told them what i had assessed so far as i could get in there ( pts consciouness, any compliants they had had etc) they siad it didnt matter get my ass out of the way and shoved me- almost never stopped again- but did - majority of folks appreciate the help and stabilizing what you can ( and yes i had made sure swcene was safe before going down into ditch etc )
They shouldn't have talked to you in that manner and they definitely should have not pushed you! However, they had every right to ask you to leave the accident scene. Without protective gear and a full understanding of the risks with an overturned vehicle, you were in a dangerous situation. Sorry you had to experience such rude behavior.
I never tell anyone that I'm a nurse. I ususally say I am a housekeeper at the La Quinta.
They shouldn't have talked to you in that manner and they definitely should have not pushed you! However, they had every right to ask you to leave the accident scene. Without protective gear and a full understanding of the risks with an overturned vehicle, you were in a dangerous situation. Sorry you had to experience such rude behavior.
I never tell anyone that I'm a nurse. I ususally say I am a housekeeper at the La Quinta.
do not get me wrong - i was quite happy to leave knowing they were there- i was trying to get up after they walked up on us- however i was kneeling in a boggy area ( and i know the dangers and i did make sure the vehicle was stable before leaning near it to help the gal stuck in the front - im not totally stupid, have had many "in-services" so to speak on safety by friends who are EMT and police - and though i have not formally taken the EMT classes i have "taken them - in that when my son did it i did it with him all id need to do really is take the tests ( but that isn't allowed id actually have to sit through the whole boring thing even though I've read and studied it all already- besides i dont mind stopping and staying till help arrives but then im off -honestly its not something id want to do every day lol) anyhow - my biggest issue was being pushed which made my move even more long as i then stumbled on bogs needing to steady myself making him even more angry - he made me more unsafe then i had been the hole 20 min it took em to get there!! i would also never put myself in undo risk if i ever thought there was id talk from a distance and calm them ( have done it ) im no stranger to risky vehicle positions- dangerous electrical troubles or dangerous crime scenes - we are taught that in basic and advanced emergency class - be safe yourself. been stopping for 20 yrs at every accident i see and never put me at risk.
i did discuss it with a friend who is an EMT and she said ignore him as he is also a big wig cop who thinks his crap dont stink and he is all that. it still bothered me. if i hadn't stopped -this guy who i go t to sit instead of wander who had hit his head and the gal complaining of neck pain who i was able to calm down - obviously quite upset - to get her to keep her head and neck still till help could arrive and stabilize her neck - could have had more injuries just because they did not stay still "just in case" - a simple thanks we can take it from here would have ben nice not grumbling and shoving. i never had such an experience- we are small area and usually any cop and or service folks are grateful for anyone who has stopped to help, especially other service trained people as small areas dont exactly have an overabundance of them floating around.. i have even been asked to stay there by police when i seem to be able to calm an accident victim and stay until further help arrives - the last accident i stopped at when the cops came and she refused any treatment as i knew the woman from church the police asked me to take her to the service station so she didnt have to ride in tow truck - elderly woman - shook up otherwise ok. i just have a calming effect when i want to lol. i wasn't trying to take the guys job away nor usurp his authority nor even get in the way ( i di not even know they were there until they were atop of us- they never said a word coming down the hill so we did not notice them as i was working on keeping miss x driver calm not watching the hill. sorry to vent. i know i did right and he was wrong - and i know i should let it go - it just steams me sometimes how crass people can be to those who are in the same place as they are - the field of helping others. ( honest to god the moment i walked away as i was going up the hill i heard the young man again out of the car with the EMT trying to strong arm him to sit and the gal screaming she was gonna die ( she wasn't as i found out later - he just freaked her out with his harsh words and voice i am sure - the words i heard coming from him as i walked away had something to do with the fact "what did you do wrong to end up here? umm yeah- blame the victim right of the bat - dont console and get stable then after out and on way find out - wasn't no reason to "blame the poor kid" when she was feeling scared that dad was gonna be mad and the car was hurt etc- i had her calm - no mom and dad will be happy your alive and will worry about the car later and yada yada - ) care comes first - blame later in my book.
i did so want to turn around and poke him in the chest back but the kids in the car needed attention and i wasn't gonna start nothing - it was just unnerving. thanks for listening.
They shouldn't have talked to you in that manner and they definitely should have not pushed you! However, they had every right to ask you to leave the accident scene. Without protective gear and a full understanding of the risks with an overturned vehicle, you were in a dangerous situation. Sorry you had to experience such rude behavior.
I never tell anyone that I'm a nurse. I ususally say I am a housekeeper at the La Quinta.
and by the way the only gear these guiys had with them were mediacl equipmet - blood pressure , etc- i think they were actually first responders? they did not even have neck braces as i sawthem pile in car tohold both victimes heads till the ambulance crew arrived s i was driving off. even though the oen was an actual emt just not on duty ( i get them mixed up which is which lol) the guy had no more protective gear than me except an orange vest which wasnt gonna do any good in a ravine lol. unlesss some ppoor sap came over the same ravine at the same spot - and then that wouldnt have helped either lol. oh an d gloves- which i also had on - alwasy keep a small medical bag in van with gloves, cpr masks and all variety of bandages and even slings of all sorts including neck braces which i fogot about till later when i brought in th bag cause i was gonna quit stoipping lol. just in case along with an old cell to call 911( im told any cell as long as charged even nothooked up can call 911 -hope it can - never had to try - always had other cars stop too and directed them to call as i go to check on occupants. i didnt have my pressure cup and such as i have never wanted to leave it out in our cold winters afraid it mat ruin it- any advice on that? would cold ruin a blood pressure cuff and stethascope and the like? make th ecalibrtaions off? never asked cause never think of it when talking to some who may nkow - as long as im thining ill ask here lol.
many blessings and thank you for letting me know yes i shouldnt have been shoved. makes it easier to say well - maybe the guy just was having a bad day ? probably not but maybe? and thanks for letting me vent. many blessings to all. lol.
My close friends know I am a nurse, and it may come up in conversation with someone I meet or talk to in public (store clerk, neihbor, etc.). If they start in with the inevitable health questions, I will always politely say to them that if they are concerned about it, they should call their doctor, and that I don't feel comfortable giving out medical advice. Some people may think that is rude, but I would rather that then to give the wrong information to someone and have it come back to haunt me. If I witness an accident with injuries, or I am out, and someone should need medical assistance, then I would give help since I am covered by my CPR certification and the "good samaritan law" but that is very different than making a diagnosis (out of my scope). I even told my fiancee once to go see his Dr, when he c/o sudden acute pain in his toe (yes it was gout, but it's not my job to determine that, and I couldn't have done anything about it anyway).
Don't worry that other people think you are uncaring or rude to not give them advice...CYA!
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 kind of disagree with this one. While I definitly don't tell the world I'm a nurse for reasons everyone else has stated, I am currently in the NP program and can't wait till I get my degree, one of the main reasons is so I can treat my family and save them the "getting an appointment saga, waiting room nightmare and foremost, cost of the visit." This was one of my priority reasons for deciding to pursue my Np degree in the first place.
Specializes in Acute Hemodialysis, Cardiac, ICU, OR.
When I first graduated, yeah -- I wanted the world to know. But now I kind of sit back and wait for those golden moments of hilarity: It's just too amusing when someone starts spouting off medical 'crap' (meaningless and obviously WAY inaccurate), like they are some kind of authority, then pause in the conversation to say, "By the way, what do YOU do for a living?"
My mom is a nurse and I am a last semester student. Every time there is a crisis, my family calls my mom. My aunt was having a massive heart attack and our cousin called my mom first, as if she can reach her hand through the phone and perform CPR. My mom had to hang up on him and call the ambulance. To make matters worse, the EMT would not take my aunt until they found her insurance card. Thank goodness my mom knew where to tell them to look.The doctor said if she had not made it to the hospital, 2 more minutes prior, she would have died. Same thing happened when my cousin had a seizure. They called my mom first. I hope I'm not next in line for this duty.
Melina
289 Posts
omg, that is funny! i am considering hospice, so maybe it won't be an issue for me either. i hope not, because i tell everyone i am a nursing student. i can't shut up about it. i like the idea of letting the flight attendants know i'm an rn (when the time comes) as well.