If you go to the ER or doctor's office, do you tell them you're a nurse?

[klone]

Just wondering what other people do.

I generally don't, but when I ask questions or talk about why I'm there, they usually guess that I am.

Last night I had to bring my toddler into the ER because of an asthma attack, and I even tried to dumb it down further, but apparently not enough as the ER physician asked if I was "in the medical field" after I used the term "tachypneic". Oh, well, maybe he'll waive his fee as a professional courtesy.

[headinsandRN]

I had a patient recently who said she was a nurse, but last worked in a hospital 20 years ago, but still... she asked me (with an IV in her arm) when she was getting her IV so she could get pain medicine.... uh, the IV IS in your arm. Uh hum. You're a nurse??? Even after 20 years practicing clinically, you would remember that.

it happens.

as long as she didnt hop up and try to give herself a bolus she can claim she is scoobie doo.

[StarryEyed, RN]

I had a patient recently who said she was a nurse, but last worked in a hospital 20 years ago, but still... she asked me (with an IV in her arm) when she was getting her IV so she could get pain medicine.... uh, the IV IS in your arm. Uh hum. You're a nurse??? Even after 20 years practicing clinically, you would remember that.

haha! reminds me of a patient who kept talking and talking about how he was an RN for 10 years but said he quit work last year because of his foot. He'd tell stories but I remember the day he was admitted and the subsequent weeks (i only came in once a week) I couldn't even get a "real" blood pressure on him because as soon as I'd put on the cuff his arm would stiffen and he would hold it out above his shoulder (if he wasn't moving around). When I suggested he just rest his arm, he didn't understand why. There were several other things also, but I just let him talk.

[NurseFrustrated]

I don't because it really annoys me when patients and family members make a point of letting you know they are in the medical field to try to intimidate you or something. I actually had a grown male patient say to me "My mother is a nurse and she's gonna be watching you." I was thinking, "Oh big whoop!" Very annoying. I mentioned to my doctor a couple of years ago that I had gained weight working nights. When she asked what my job was, I told her I was a hospital nurse. I only tell it if necessary. When I visit people in the hospital I don't tell the staff there I am a nurse either. I sure don't say, "I'm a nurse and I'm gonna be watching YOU!" Puhleeze!

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

I always let them know and tell them to not dumb it down when talking to me. I use to not tell but after discussing it with one doc when he asked why I was hiding the fact that I was an RN he made me realize that in order to receive professional courtesy I must give as well.

I only had one doc that tried to over embellish the explanation thinking he would somehow psychologically spank me for daring to be as smart as he (obviously had issues). Egos can get in the way but I would rather be treated without the kidd gloves.

No; I found out that if your honest, you will be treated with respect in most instances.

[Minnie2006]

I usually don't but because I ask questions and use certain terms, they usually ask if I'm in the medical field. I don't like to come off as if I am a know it all so I keep it under wraps. After all, it's different being on the other side of the fence receiving the care.

[Spacklehead, MSN, NP]

I typically don't divulge the info voluntarily unless I am questioned, also, for reasons that NurseFrustrated already mentioned.

Most people don't randomly volunteer their careers (with the exception of a few lawyers ) unless directly asked, so why should I? Although if a doc or nurse does really dumb down the conversation to me and is struggling with it, I then will tell them I'm an NP and to please feel free to use the medical jargon. They typically appreciate it at that point.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

My doctors know I'm a nurse simply from small talk and because I've been going to them since high school, then nursing school, and now.

If I go to the ER, I usually don't, but it sometimes comes out. One time in the ER with a concussion I asked if I could have some zofran. The doctor was like, "HOW HAVE YOU HEARD OF ZOFRAN?!?!?!" He was actually mad about it, like I was drug seeking or something. Uhm, sorry.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

It always comes up somehow. I would prefer it not, honestly, but inevitably I either ask a question or use a term that gives it away, or someone just happens to ask what I do for a living.

The one that made me mad was my last trip to the urgent care when the provider I saw lectured me on handwashing after I told him I was an RN in an elementary school. Um, hello....I TEACH handwashing. What is worse is that he kept trying to play my s/s off as a cold and sent me home. Went elsewhere and was told it was severe bronchitis that I was lucky was not pneumonia yet.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

it happens.

as long as she didnt hop up and try to give herself a bolus she can claim she is scoobie doo.

oh I've had those patients too - who just reprogram the smart pump, or open their fluids - or change those settings for their family member. It's crazy. I can't imagine overstepping those boundaries... and when you ask them what type of nursing they did/ or do, they'll say "education" or some other type, where they have no current clinical practice... which is neither here nor there, but the point is to keep your hands off the stuff! Or those nurses that discontinue the IV for their family member or neighbor. What the HELL people!

[OttawaRPN]

One floor above the ER in my small town is the med/surg floor which is one of my workplaces so yeah... they know.

Although I don't see the big deal of trying to keep it a secret. I like to collaborate with ER docs especially if it's my kids involved, and often challenge them with my questions. It's important for them to stay on their toes and for my kid to get the best care possible.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

My doctors know I'm a nurse simply from small talk and because I've been going to them since high school, then nursing school, and now.

If I go to the ER, I usually don't, but it sometimes comes out. One time in the ER with a concussion I asked if I could have some zofran. The doctor was like, "HOW HAVE YOU HEARD OF ZOFRAN?!?!?!" He was actually mad about it, like I was drug seeking or something. Uhm, sorry.

yeah, and if you were drug-seeking, that doc would know Zofran would not be the drug of choice....

[noahsmama]

I don't make a point of mentioning, but don't make a point of hiding it either. I definitely would not "dumb down" my questions just to hide the fact that I'm an RN. I do sometimes mention it if I feel like the doctor or nurse is "dumbing down" their explanations to me. Even before I became I nurse, I sometimes felt like I was being given overly simplified explanations, and would try to ask questions that showed that I could handle a more detailed, more technical explanation.

Years ago, when my sister was dying of a brain tumor, her husband started to make a point of introducing himself to her doctors as DOCTOR Smith (not his real last name) -- he wasn't an MD but did have a PhD (in engineering). He felt like he got a better level of explanation of what was going on with my sister when he did this.

If anyone ever has trouble starting an IV on me because my being a nurse makes them nervous, I guess I'll just have to tell them how incredibly bad I am at IV starts myself! No judgment here, that's for sure!