Medical Advice

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Does it drive you crazy that your family asks you for medical advice?

Im starting nursing school in sept. but I work in the e.r. and have healthcare exp. for 5 years now.

My mom is allllllllllllllllllllways asking me for advice, or my brother. Its like HELLO?! if I was any good I wouldnt have to go to school, sheesh.

How do I tell them nicely, go away? LOL

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Specializes in LTC.

whenever someone in my family would ask that dreaded question "i need some advise about xyz" my reply was always "go to the doctor, i can tell you what i think it is, but i cant write scripts, order tests, or send you for labs, so go see him/her.":wink2:

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I don't get asked as often as I used to. My trick was to give them the cluless stunned face and say something like, "Wow, no I have no idea what that could be. Maybe you should go to your doctor, or if you think it's so serious go to UC/ED."

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I know the feeling. I had a friend who was only a medical office assistant and people who knew her, would ask her medical questions.:clown:

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Specializes in progressive care telemetry.

I haven't even started nursing school yet and my MIL is already saying how excited she is going to be when I become an NP (eventually will get there) so I can write her scrips. Ummmm, nope.

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It's unbelieveable! I haven't even started the rn program yet and already have friends & family asking me for a diagnosis. What are they thinking!:uhoh21:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I would tell them to seek answers from their doctor and nothing else. It is compromising, and the guilt of possibly being wrong because it was more serious than what you actually thought would weigh you down. But, also, I notice that it is wise not to discuss too many cases with them, either or your findings if you correct, because THEN...the ball will start rolling again.

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Specializes in ER; HBOT- lots others.

when they do ask, tell them you are not allowed to give medical advice, you practice nursing ( or will) not medicine. unless of course they are willing to pay for your med school.

i used to think i would enjoy doing that, hell, i cant stand when ppl ask me that anymore!

lol..

and dont worry---it gets worse!!!

-H-

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thanks for the laughs u guys, and the heads up somedayRN ;)

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Specializes in ER; HBOT- lots others.

Np Np at all! lol..

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

the worst is when you go out in public mistakenly in your scrubs and someone in the checkout line at walmart wants to show you their bunions. yuch.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Just last week, I ran into one of my Coumadin patients while ordering breakfast at a restaurant. Yeah, I was due to work in one hour, but, that was MY time. I had my earphones on, jamming to my MP3 player, and she just walks up to me and started asking me questions about her medication regime. I told her that I am 1. OFF DUTY and 2. I have no chart before me to answer her questions correctly. She tells me that since I'm 'familar with her case, a basic answer would do' and I told her that during MY time, I am not obligated to, and to give me my space until I hit the grounds and walked away from her.

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