Nurses as Patients

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Oct 17, 2006

I'm a NICU nurse, so if I find myself in your situation, I'll make a comment that I don't usually take care of anyone over fifteen pounds. :)

Pheebz777, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2006

Some nurses find it intimidating to treat other nurses. Some find it awkward. I've treated a few nurses in my time and although I do treat them a little different than regular patients. There is a fine line in providing adequate sufficient care and making them (nurse patients) feel like idiots.

IMHO, the only difference in taking care of the two types of patients is not having to go into in-depth discussions and explanations of their medications, procedures, rationales, etc.

When I go in the patients room, I introduce myself as I would any other patient. Explain to them what you are about to do as you would any other patient. Tell them what medications you are going to give them as you would any other patient.

More than likely they would never bother to ask you any "whya and how" questions since they already know why. Nurse patients for me are actually really easy to take care of and are not pain in the asses.

Be prepared though to practice "by the book" nursing if you know what I mean.

christymwinn · Oct 17, 2006

Yes, I hve been treated differently as a patient.

When I had my gallbladder taken out earlier this year, I got virtually NO d/c teaching. Ok, I may know pretty much what I needed to know, but I am not a surgical nurse and when you are a pt, you are not always thinking in a "nurses point of view". It would have helped to have info written down.

Now, on the other hand, when I had both of my babies the nurses knew I was a nurse and they still treated me like regular pt and never "assumed" i knew everything. They were wonderful!!!!

BTW, these 2 instances were at different facilities, the 1st one I was (am) an employee of and the latter, i had never worked there. Maybe that made a difference too?????

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Oct 17, 2006

Nope...not at all! They remind me some times when I get that glossed over "I know I know" look on my face that they have to tell me anyway! LOL...

Plus...if someone did treat me differently and didn't tell me something I needed to know because they assumed I knew it...get this..I ask! LOL! I am not worried about feeling embarrest or anything...I need to know! And I have no fear of asking questions!

If you don't know something...ASK! If you are being treated different where you should not be...tell someone! It is that easy! I may be a nurse at work...but a paying pt when I need to be..and frankly..I will send back a steak if it isn't cooked right...so I think hmmmmmm...since medical visits cost a heck of a lot more...I am going to speak up!

weirdRN, RN · Oct 17, 2006

I always try to be as thorough as I can be with anyone I come in contact with professionally.

It doesn't matter if it is a new grad or a veteran, everyone has something to learn.

jojotoo, RN · Oct 17, 2006

I always try to be as thorough as I can be with anyone I come in contact with professionally.
It doesn't matter if it is a new grad or a veteran, everyone has something to learn.

Good point.

Grace Oz · Oct 17, 2006

I've received discounts on the bill for Dr's visits, x-rays, etc because I'm a nurse. Sometimes I've received preferential treatment. And on occasion, it being known I was a nurse worked against me! lol All depended on the people and place concerned.

I mostly never let on I was a nurse. Unless I knew I'd get the discount, of course! lol

TazziRN, RN · Oct 17, 2006

Usually I'm treated as a peer: the docs are a little more open with me and are not condescending as they can be. Twice I've had negative experiences: once when my mom was a GI bleed.....the nurses left me to deal with her alone. Another time was when I had my baby. I got very little support with my nursing problems. When I asked for help and described the problems they would tell me what to try and then walk out without making sure I got it.

How I treat nurses and doctors: I am just as thorough but I know I don't have to translate the medical language. I still tell them what meds the doc's written for and how to take them, and their diagnoses.

Agent99 · Oct 17, 2006

I find that the doctors I visit are more relaxed and talk to me as a colleague. We "get" each other.

kukukajoo, LPN · Oct 17, 2006

I am just a student but my docs have been awesome and so haven't their staff! I actually get MORE information than the average pt as they show me the results and explain, etc. Plus they do little quizzes and such- I think it is funny! Like when my labs come back out of range, he will ask what would cause this, etc? Also quizzed me on the incidences of gallbladder surgery going full cut! I really like that about this place.

Also, they changed an entire schedule to get my gallbladder surgery done before school started so I would not miss time. I know it was because I am a nsg student. My doc tells EVERYONE!!

Had a hospitalization after classes started and now can't miss any more time this year. Have needed much testing and appts and they have arranged around my schedule- squeezing me in at times.

Their staff has been great at encouraging my education and we have had many conversations about this and trials and tribs of the education and the job! They say they are going to recruit me soon!

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 17, 2006

I've never had a bad experience as a patient because of being a nurse.

When I have a patient (or family member) who is a nurse, I usually say something like "Please forgive me if I am telling you things you already know, but I like to cover everything just in case!" I've never had anyone get upset with that.

When it's you or your family member, you don't see things the same way. I'd much rather be told things I already know than have information omitted because I'm a nurse.