Nurse as the patient

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

Recently I had the "privilege" of spending the night in the hospital. Over the years I have been in the hospital a number times beyond giving birth 3 times.

This last time was the first since earning my nursing license. I was dealing with my allergies as I do every August when ragweed gets very high. I had been doing everything I normally do with my regular meds as well as adding my inhalers to the mix. I still couldn't shake it off so I made an appointment to get a script for steroids. I went to a different place than I normally do as it seemed my doctor's office and others were overbooked. I made an appointment which meant going to work when I was finished so I was wearing my scrubs.

Describing my symptoms to the NP, I used the words "chest" and "pain" in the same sentence, That was a big Uh Oh. Off to the ER I went. Well, wearing scrubs is a big tip off and I would get asked what I do. When the Dr. in the ER came in to talk with me, he was glad he didn't have to put everything in laymen's terms. I would ask questions if I couldn't recall what I needed to though.

Well, my trop came back okay as was my EKG but they wanted to keep me as a 23 hour observation so up to the floor I went. All my nurses and other staff treated me well and sometimes I felt I was getting too much attention. An NP was the hospitalist that day and we even got to talking stethoscopes and scrubs brands.

There was only one person who seemed uncomfortable with me being a nurse and that was the pharmacy tech who came up to go over my meds with me. I did not want nor did I need my meds explained to me. I have been taking them all for a number of years already.

So, my experience as the nurse being patient was a good one. They knew I knew what was going on and why. What the tests meant and such. They also knew that if I wasn't recalling information, I would ask for it.

Oh, I was dismissed with no signs of heart issues, but to follow up with Dr. AND I left with a script for those steroids I originally went in for.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I've been the patient several times this year, too. Unless it is unavoidable, I don't tell anyone at the hospital or surgical center that I'm a nurse, even if it means I receive 8th grade level explanations regarding medications and discharge instructions.

I realize you were wearing scrubs, which meant that finding out you were a nurse was going to be unavoidable. :)

[Hoozdo, ADN]

I spent a few days in the ICU I used to work in about 5 years ago. It was a horrible and degrading experience. Nurses from other floors came into my room and talked about me like I was oblivious.

"I hear she used to work here. I almost feel sorry for her." Apparently these nurses did not know that the patient can hear even if they are unable to speak. I am still debating whether to write a letter to the DON of the hospital. It was outrageous.

[Nonyvole, BSN, RN]

I spent a few days in the ICU I used to work in about 5 years ago. It was a horrible and degrading experience. Nurses from other floors came into my room and talked about me like I was oblivious.

"I hear she used to work here. I almost feel sorry for her." Apparently these nurses did not know that the patient can hear even if they are unable to speak. I am still debating whether to write a letter to the DON of the hospital. It was outrageous.

You should!