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.
Specializes in AA&I, research,peds, radiation oncology.
Well, I work in radiation oncology and I get asked this question ALL the time prior to the consult. The doctor is a woman..her name isn't a comman name like Emily or Jennifer. I'm a woman and AA so they just assume!!!! I just laugh and correct them!!
Stereotypical response contributed by the media now, yet actually a reality in the past...is it mainly from older patients?
Ehhhh, more so. I wouldnt say I've experienced this from anyone under 35. Also, I find that the older men tend to give me a look like im some weirdo. I kinda laugh to myself and think, this isn't 1930 anymore buddy.
Specializes in TSICU, Renal Transplant, IR, Cath Lab.
On my first clinical day at the VA as a student nurse, I had not yet received my uniform, so my instructor told me to wear business casual with a lab coat. So... having never been there before and desperate not to screw up, I showed up early at 0630 feeling like a complete imposter. I was unsure of where to go, so I approached the information desk and said, "excuse me, I was wondering..." at which point the man, who had understandably been half-asleep, jumped up and said, "Oh yes! Good morning doctor! The O.R. is this way." He came out from behind the desk and started off at a good clip down a hallway with me in tow before I could get him to understand that I was a green-as-grass nursing student who simply needed to be told where to wait on the rest of my group. We both had a good laugh about it.
Anyway, since then I never wear my lab coat unless I absolutely have to. However, as a 43 year-old career changing male with thinning salt and pepper hair, I still get called "doctor" quite a bit. Fortunately, most of my female classmates, many of whom are young enough to be my daughters, find it funny rather than offensive.
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.
I did a clinical at a hospital in the city. We had two guys in our group. One hispanic male and one white male. When our name tags were made up, everyone got one that said "student intern" under nursing services. The white male got one that said medical intern and had the physician stuff on it. We were all appalled. The person who made up our badges wasn't THAT old.
The same white male could not convince one of his patients that he was a student nurse even as he gave the guy a bed bath!! He was a middle aged patient too!
I had a male nursing instructor in school who also worked in the ED at one of the local hospitals. He told us that he was asked "are you my doctor?" all the time. His pat answer was "please don't insult me, I'm your nurse!" I thought this was too funny.
I had a male nursing instructor in school who also worked in the ED at one of the local hospitals. He told us that he was asked "are you my doctor?" all the time. His pat answer was "please don't insult me, I'm your nurse!" I thought this was too funny.
You don't really wear one of those white hats...Do you?
I really do. I have several. None are paper. One is a fedora, a few are berets, two are kangol golf hats. The patients, staff, and administration have been very receptive of the idea. I guess I have a few rationales that can't be argued against. But I'm sure I get many favorable mentions by patients b/c it's a point to remember me by.
(I tried to PM this so as not to tie up the thread, but couldn't figure it out. Sorry.)
I know this happens in every specialty, but I'm guessing OB, peds and NICU really lend themselves to this kind of misunderstanding because there are fewer men working as nurses in these areas. Similarly, most of us know there are many male teachers out there, but we're still surprised to see men working in kindergarten or the lower grades.
PurpleLVN
244 Posts
Well, I work in radiation oncology and I get asked this question ALL the time prior to the consult. The doctor is a woman..her name isn't a comman name like Emily or Jennifer. I'm a woman and AA so they just assume!!!!
I just laugh and correct them!!