Hi, are you the doctor?

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Me: No, I'm the nurse taking care of your baby today.

Them: OH. You're a nurse?

I hear this about 10 times a week.

I'm a male RN in my 40s, mostly gray-haired, working in a NICU. When I approach parents of my babies, this is often the greeting I receive. I asked my (mostly female) peers if they are approached the same way, and the answer was universally "no, never".

So, are people just so used to doctors being male (and vice versa), that it's normal for them to automatically assume I'm the doc? I'm not a big fan of stereotypes. I may be a male, but I can change that baby's diaper better than the mothers can, often.

Anyone else ever encounter this?

[Foley6]

I never worked with babies, other than in nursing school, but I used to get this all the time when I worked in Long Term Care, and Med surg. This was a popular response from the older population who were not used to seeing male nurses. I think as more males become nurses, this will diminish. My response was always, "I am not that crazy!"

[blamejoe]

I work on a med/surg oncology floor. I'm 29 with a babyface and people always think I'm younger than I am. I've been confused as being the doctor too, and I don't think the female docs run into this mistake as often as we men RNs do.

I believe this is all part of old-time stereotypes about men but also part of a stereotype about DOCTORS. We accept that women can do traditionally male jobs like being the physician, but considering that 94% of our colleagues are women, I think they're merely playing the odds. I do think I get it less than the other guy who works on my floor, but that's because I wear a white cap and no one else does.

At least where I work, it seems like patients do not care what your title is as long as they know you're there to take care of them, but I sort of feel like they are too timid to ask physicians the general questions that make them seem like a "layperson", but they have an air of comfort around nursing staff. Do your patients seem to breath easier and speak more honestly with you once they realize you are there to help them rather than to deliver diagnoses or prognoses?

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Well, my patients are babies, so no...they don't speak. It's one of the things that attracted me to NICU nursing! LOL.

J/k, I know what you meant. Actually, a lot of the parents aren't comfortable with me at all until they see me working with their baby. After that, I've had several remark on the gentle and caring way I handle their precious. That's always good for making you feel a bit better.

[KungFuFtr]

I'm mistaken called a dr. more often than a nurse. I'll even correct people; however, they soon forget and continue to call me dr.

[KungFuFtr]

I work on a med/surg oncology floor. I'm 29 with a babyface and people always think I'm younger than I am. I've been confused as being the doctor too, and I don't think the female docs run into this mistake as often as we men RNs do.

I believe this is all part of old-time stereotypes about men but also part of a stereotype about DOCTORS. We accept that women can do traditionally male jobs like being the physician, but considering that 94% of our colleagues are women, I think they're merely playing the odds. I do think I get it less than the other guy who works on my floor, but that's because I wear a white cap and no one else does.

At least where I work, it seems like patients do not care what your title is as long as they know you're there to take care of them, but I sort of feel like they are too timid to ask physicians the general questions that make them seem like a "layperson", but they have an air of comfort around nursing staff. Do your patients seem to breath easier and speak more honestly with you once they realize you are there to help them rather than to deliver diagnoses or prognoses?

You don't really wear one of those white hats...Do you?

[J9G2008]

I think the only other people who get this as much as men in nursing are female doctors. Breaking down stereotypes is hard work, huh?

[shiccy]

Oh I definitely get that all the time where we work. I think the only thing that might HELP people is if I wore all white scrubs, but ... I wear navy blue ones (the 2 colors we are able to wear) and quite like them, thank you very much!

[Batman25]

I think this is pretty commone where male nurses are concerned. They see a male and assume you are a doctor. They are wrong to assume but don't take it personally. Hopefully some day all people will realize both sexes can do both jobs and be great at them.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Hear it all the time in the ER. My stock response is "No, I'm a nurse. I work for a living". Some folks never quite figure it out and keep calling me "doctor".

[wlb06]

I've been asked numerous times in clinicals if I am studying to be a doctor. I say no, actually I am studying to be a nurse. I know it has a lot to do with living in a small redneck town, so when I move to the city, I am sure it will happen less often.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I was often asked if I was the instructor, during clinicals. LOL.