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.

[crb613, BSN, RN]

Nope!not unless I think I have to. I recently had surgery, and had a brand new nurse. She was very nice, but never once did she listen to my lungs,belly, or look at surgery site. I woke up having some pretty intense pain, abd. cramping, jerking, and shaking. I could feel something warm running down between my legs & under me....you guessed it blood. Long story short...When I explained how important these things are, and that if you dont catch it until the blood is dripping in the floor.....it could be too late. She guessed I was a nurse.

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

I've been getting asked if I'm in the medical profession for probably about eight years or so now... and I only decided to go into nursing two years ago!

Evidently anyone who knows a couple of medical words (orthostatic hypotension, thyroid stimulating hormone, etc.) and is able to string enough words together to form a complete sentence must be in the medical profession by default.

[nursel56]

I don't normally, but if I'm stressed out I use medical terms almost unconsciously to get my thoughts across faster with more specificity, as normally it says in one word what takes three or four words of non-jargon. I already know a fee will not be waived unless the provider is a friend.

[coolbreese45]

I live in a small town and know some of the nurses, however, if I don't know them, I usually do mention that I'm an RN. It usually comes up when I'm talking S/S's about one of my kids to the nurse or assistant and I find that my concerns are taken more seriously.

[Fribblet]

I'm joining the "I don't divulge my occupation freely" club.

Whether in the hospital, to my neighbors, and around town, unless it's necessary or comes up in polite conversation, being a nurse is not something I advertise.

[KarmaWiseRaven]

My Dr and his nurses knows I'm a nurse but also knows Im inactive. I have been going to the same Dr. for over 10 yrs. And when your coming off of a nightshift sometimes i would have my appointments in the morning. So i can say he knew me as an Aid and a Med Tech and kinda pushed me to be a LPN. When i go to my appts now the nurses and i kinda talk shop i tell them about this site and anything else that comes to mind. Remember you are where you are suppose to be right here right now at this very moment.. These are my thoughts use them as you wish..

[Kiringat]

Considering they know I work for the hospital system the second I hand over my insurance card, I don't see the point in hiding that I'm a nurse. I don't go flat out and say it, but if someone asks, I'm not going to lie. Plus, I always seem to drop a medical term, and get looked at funny until I explain.

[Katie5]

Only if there is a problem and a camaraderie is neccessary.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

No I usually don't unless they ask. Especially when I went to the ER for alcohol poising... I didn't want anyone to know that I was a nurse then. That was super embarrasing.

[LACA, BSN, LPN, RN]

A couple of weeks ago, I spent 3 days in the hospital with CP and tachycardia. I was diagnosed with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). My heart rate got as high as 188 when I stood one time in the ER and they promptly admitted me. In a 16 hour span, I was stuck 14 times....5 attempts for an IV and the rest were blood sticks/misses. My poor husband was tore all apart. I usually don't mention my occupation unless I'm asked, but if someone says something about me being a hard stick or drawing blood, he'll say "she's a nurse...she's done it before" or something along those lines and usually they relax and have an easier time. I'm a school nurse now, so no blood draws, but I did lots and lots of phlebotomy in previous positions. He is usually the one that tells ER staff or such what I do for a living, I don't feel like telling them anything if I'm there! haha! My family doctor knows I'm a nurse, as well as my OB, my GYN, and my cardiologist.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

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

That's what I thought, but he seemed really upset I asked for Zofan. He told me he would order it, then never did. Overall, though, the care I received that day was excellent.

[sunnycalifRN]

I don't if I can help it. I had to have a CT with contrast several months ago, and had to leave work to do it, so I was in my nurse getup, complete with nametag. I'm a really easy stick for blood draws and IVs. They stuck me 8 times total to get the line in. One of them said, "I'm nervous because you're an RN." Well, I can understand being a bit nervous, but if you're so nervous that you're going to miss 4 times and the rest of your friends are too, perhaps you shouldn't be doing this. A test that should have taken a half hour took 3. By the time they sent me over to the hospital from the out pt imaging center I didn't have a whole lot of potential sites left. I should have had a friend at work just put the darn thing in before I got there.

I can relate to that! I have veins that are about 1/4" in diameter and I let newbies practice IV starts when I'm in the mood. But, I've gone to the lab for blood tests and had the tech looking for veins and saying "Oh, you don't have good veins!!" If my veins aren't good, I guess only "talking" veins are good, "right here, right here . . . stick right here (in chipmunk voice)!"

Anyway, I just point out a good vein to avoid becoming a pin cushion. It's unfortunate that they don't pay the phlebotomists very well because it's a revolving door job.