Proud to say or keep it hid away?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Psych, Extended Care, Med/Surg.

I know that when we are going through nursing school it is a proud time not only for us but our family and friends. How many times did someone find out you were in nursing school or a nurse and ask you all sorts of health questions? And then during and after school you hung you equipment and badges from your rear view mirror. Are you a nurse that is proud of what you are and show it by your clothing with RN/LPN/CNA written all over it or do you have stickers or signs all over your vehicle? Do you have a tattoo or things that show what you are? Or do you hide it and don't want anyone to know?:roll :roll

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I am definately proud to be an RN/CRNA. But I certainly don't advertise it on my vehicle. If someone asks, I'll let them know what my job is but I usually don't volunteer the info.

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Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, ICU, ER.
I am definately proud to be an RN/CRNA. But I certainly don't advertise it on my vehicle. If someone asks, I'll let them know what my job is but I usually don't volunteer the info.

Me too.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Nursery, Post-Partum.

I've learned to keep quiet about it too...way too many people ask about medical issues and half the time (or more than!) its a question I don't feel comfortable answering for whatever reason (too long since I learned about it, don't want them taking my words as "gospel",etc) and then you get the "look" from them. The one that says "sure you're a nurse, but you couldn't solve my problem so you must not be that good of a nurse". Drives me crazy.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I don't tell unless they ask. It's bad enough that many people think they can call you anytime for anything. I don't give advice. Usually "you should contact your doctor". I do wear a sweater at work with my name and title but there the cat is already out of the bag.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I hide it the best I can. I never say I am an RN unless asked. I don't like to be asked for medical advice or asked about medications etc on my off hours.

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Specializes in ER.

I rarely tell I'm an RN unless asked. The medical questions were bad enough when I was an EMT! I too hate the looks when you refer them to their doctor or can't solve their problem.:bugeyes:

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I have no problem telling people I am a nurse, if asked. I don't walk into a room and announce it, but I won't hide it either. I am incredibly proud of my accomplishment. I have a couple funny t-shirts with nursing stuff on them, like "Nursing School Survivor" and a cute one about not crying in front of the doctor, but mostly I just wear normal clothes that don't advertise. I don't have any thing on my car that identifies me as a nurse but I am waiting for my AHNA decal to get here. And I don't have my tatoo--yet--but I will in a couple weeks. It will either be RN with a caudecus like the nametag I have, or chakra colors around a lotus with RN in script (I am also a reiki healer so trying to combine it in there somehow). Oh, and I wear a little RN necklace too.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.

the only place i advertize my rn is at work.

otherwise i hide, hide, hide it.

if i grocery shop on my way home from work, i make sure i take my nametag off.

when i bought my house, my real estate agent told all of my neighbors that i was a nurse. they rang my doorbell for all sorts of medical complaints. very aggrivating, esp when you work nights.

i don't mean to sound so uncharitable, but 1) i don't want to work when i'm not at work; 2) people will sue anyone for anything 3) i'm not qualified to give medical advice.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I neither flaunt it nor hide it. Its common knowledge in my rural area what EVERYONE does. I am on the volunteer fire dept so yes, lots of folks know that I've worked in the "big city" ER for 10 years. However, few know that I have gone on to be an APN and now work in nephrology.

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
I know that when we are going through nursing school it is a proud time not only for us but our family and friends. How many times did someone find out you were in nursing school or a nurse and ask you all sorts of health questions? And then during and after school you hung you equipment and badges from your rear view mirror. Are you a nurse that is proud of what you are and show it by your clothing with RN/LPN/CNA written all over it or do you have stickers or signs all over your vehicle? Do you have a tattoo or things that show what you are? Or do you hide it and don't want anyone to know?:roll :roll

Hello,

While I have pride in my future profession I am learning to watch it about volunteering so. Yes, I have been asked countless times already for a "consult" or opinion.

I do not think that an off the cuff opinion is going to help anyone! I do not diagnose, I am a student nurse, I am not looking at their labs, do not have their history and so on...do not think my student malpractice ins covers it...

No longer do I try to wear my stethoscope on my car window, or even an old junk cheapie scope. It not only would get ruined from the sunshine but, it advertises that I am "most likely" a woman, and that I am employed and that my vehicle may be robable.

Scopes on rear view mirrors would also make one heckuva projectile to take an eye out or embedd into my skull if n I should ever be involved in an accidnet too!

Gen

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