Do You Tell EVERYONE You Are a Nurse?

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

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?

[StNeotser, ASN, RN]

I don't tell everyone. However, people in my neighbourhood know just because they see me going to and fro in scrubs. They do ask questions and I always smile and say "I really think you need to see your doctor about that" I expect they think I'm a know Nothing. :)

As to wearing scrubs on public transport, can you wear a sweater over your scrubs or something to tone it down so people don't know?

I'm sure that lawyers get asked all kinds of questions at social gatherings they'd rather not answer, and plumbers, accountants, you know, I'm sure all professions get this.

Edited to add, on another social internet board I was asked if someone had mumps or not based on a picture of them. Had to say the same thing, "see your doctor" and the person was very taken aback.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

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.

[anonymurse]

I read somewhere a warning that having nursey things on your car can attract break-ins, stalkers, etc. Maybe nurses are seen by criminals as more vulnerable than the general population. In connection with this, somewhere else I read that people wearing hospital armbands are mugged much more frequently, as are women who don't dye their gray hair. This makes sense. Criminals, like all businessmen, want to reduce risk. Whether a potential victim appears to offer returns of greater or lesser value is a less important consideration than their apparent vulnerability. However things should be, this seems to be how things are.

[nickola]

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" !!)

[GilaRRT]

No, I do not tell anybody what I do for a living. As soon as I am off the clock, I am no longer an RN. My friends and family know this as well. I do not get calls in the middle of the night for somebody worried about their cough. In addition, I have absolutely no stickers or any objects on or in my car that could let people know what I do. I just like to be an ordinary Joe when I am not at work.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

My experience has been different.

I do not announce to the world that I am a nurse, but my profession is certainly known to those who know me well, and "what do you do?" is a common small-talk question when chatting with people I don't know well. It hasn't been a problem.

Many non-medical people just aren't sure what to make of those of us who work in the ER ... I do get asked, "Is it like TV?" No. That tends to be the end of that conversation thread.

Only once did an acquaintance share more than I cared to hear about his recent lap chole, but it really wasn't a big deal.

It's more often the case that people will ask my opinion of a certain MD or facility. I answer as I feel is appropriate.

I feel no need to downplay the fact that I'm a nurse.

[froggg123]

I read somewhere a warning that having nursey things on your car can attract break-ins, stalkers, etc. Maybe nurses are seen by criminals as more vulnerable than the general population. In connection with this, somewhere else I read that people wearing hospital armbands are mugged much more frequently, as are women who don't dye their gray hair. This makes sense. Criminals, like all businessmen, want to reduce risk. Whether a potential victim appears to offer returns of greater or lesser value is a less important consideration than their apparent vulnerability. However things should be, this seems to be how things are.

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.

[trmr]

NO I never tell anyone I am a nurse unless it just happens to be part of the conversation and they ask. I know what you all mean. People do come looking for you, wanting you to diagnose and treat anything that they might say is wrong. I have been to parties where they say "oh good we have a nurse with us" and it makes me kringe. I want to leave running. And my extended family, I love them dearly, but they are always coming to me with their injuries, "hey Aunt Tam, do think my wrist is broke?" I want to say well just a minute and I'll run uptairs and get my xray machine and plug it in and tell you in a jiffy. Oh Boy.

[SICU Queen]

My relatives all know, of course... as do the neighbors that live near me. Other than that, I tend not to announce it. I am not interested in having to be an RN while I'm off my hospital's clock.

[showbizrn]

I bounce back-'n-forth between the healthcare and entertainment industries. In most conversations, the question, "What do you do?" comes up.

I respond according to my evironment and surroundings.

I understand the cautionary measures. I don't wear labcoats or uniforms in my neighborhood either.

You NEVER can be too careful these days.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I don't tell folks I'm a nurse, but many people in my small community know me - I'm also on the fire dept. Yes, I get really unnerving questions and ALWAYS say they need to contact their healthcare provider who knows their individual case.