Doctor who?

[wooden nickel]

I hope there is someone else out there who is a male nurse and has trouble with the patients thinking your the doctor? I don't mind telling them I'm a nurse (proud of it!) But then you get the look as if "What couldn't make it in med school?" or what?!

And another thing why is it that all the nurses (female) always grab me for the heavy lifting, I used to be a EMT, my back kills me!

So far my answer to these questions have always been go with the flow, take the smart looks from patients (they don't know any better) and help with the heavy lifting (it's only my back- they still make 'Advil')--- If there is anybody out there with any other advice please let me know it would be helpful. Thanks

[Bainey]

I'm a nursing student but I work as a CNA on the weekends and I get the "you must be my doctor" thing all the time. I guess I look the part when I walk in with my clipboard, white labocat and stethescope flopped around my neck. It's something we men are going to deal with for the foreseeable future, especially with the older generation of baby boomers aging and needing more care. Most of the patients have been very encouraging when I set them straight and I rarely get a female patient who won't accept care from me as a "male" nurse. I tend to use the title RN which seems a little more gender neutral - at least in my mind.

[Conrad283, BSN, RN]

When I work as a clerk I get the, "can you give me a boost?" I can only imagine that it won't be much different once I finally graduate.

[suanna]

I'm confused... So you don't correct a confused patient when they ask if you are their Dr.?? Just curious???

I do identify myself as a nurse- they may be confused but I am not. I was referring to the times when my peers come to get me with " go tell Mr. Smith you are his doctor and he has to take his meds, leave his I.V. in , can't go home... It happens a couple of times a year and my answer is always no. Lying to a confused patient doesn't usualy calm them down and if the won't listen to thier nurse I doubt they will listen to me.

[Xbox Live Addict]

I do identify myself as a nurse- they may be confused but I am not. I was referring to the times when my peers come to get me with " go tell Mr. Smith you are his doctor and he has to take his meds, leave his I.V. in , can't go home... It happens a couple of times a year and my answer is always no. Lying to a confused patient doesn't usualy calm them down and if the won't listen to thier nurse I doubt they will listen to me.

Good for you. Lying to a patient like that is not only unhelpful, but it is unethical as well. Most patients, even in deep confusion, can see through a lie like that in any case.

[psalm, RN]

I am a gal and when I am mistaken for a doc, I can say, "No, I'm your good-looking registered nurse"...since I am kinda plain it smooths over any embarrassment of the person who asked...if they apprecitae humor.

[David's Harp]

I had an old lady the other day, whom I corrected several times after she'd called me "Doctor", say to me, "I know you're a nurse, but your *my* doctor!" Not confused or disoriented at all, just paying a complement of sorts. It was a blushy sort of moment, I gotta admit, but I could tell she meant well and not in a chauvinist way.

On the other hand, the title of the thread has me wondering about a last-minute Halloween costume for on the floor...

-Kevin

[lad7]

Hello xbox - I couldn't figure out how to send a private message so I'll just reply to this post. Basically, I read that you work in a plasma center. I am currently considering a position as a medical supervisor in a plasma center and would like to get any input you can provide regarding the position and the environment. I have read a lot of horror stories. Any info you can provide is appreciated.

[silentRN]

Labrams - I think xbox MSG is from two years ago if u look at the posting date :)

[cop2bnurse41]

I get the Doc stuff alot as well. Sometimes I correct the person and other times I just let it go. All depends on my mood. As far as the heavy lifting goes. Do some back exercises because for the rest of your career if you are around you are going to be involved with every lift on your floor. It is something that comes with being a male in this profession! Just make sure you get help from the other staff.