Nurses receiving poor care....

hopefulwhoop · Apr 16, 2011

Honestly, I would speak up, but I know it's kinda hard 'cause you don't want to be the 'difficult' pt. I wouldn't go as far as letting the nurse know that I'm a nurse as well, unless it was absolutely necessary.

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Apr 16, 2011

Having been a nurse so long I don't know how to talk "non-nurse" anymore, so rather than even try, I'm up front with it. I warn the staff I'm a long time nurse and give them permission to remind me anytime that I'm there as a patient and not a nurse. Breaks the ice and since we talk as equals it usually goes better. Sometimes a nurse will teach me something new, something I can teach them.

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2011

What do you say when youre the patient and your nurse is screwing up? Ive had this dilemma many times, I often do not reveal myself as a nurse to the staff, even when I notice they are doing something incorrectly UNLESS its with my children OR could REALLY harm me. What do you do in this situation?

Are you saying that "many times" you've observed actions that could REALLY harm you?

Just asking ...

Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN · Apr 16, 2011

Are you saying that "many times" you've observed actions that could REALLY harm you?
Just asking ...

No, minor things. Things like improper use of the breast pump (or just not knowing how to turn it on). Ive had to stop a couple when it comes to IV insertion (joy of military hospitals), small things nothing life threatning.

caliotter3 · Apr 16, 2011

I got a lecture one time and my request for pain medication was for some reason forgotten. I don't recall whether I had said anything about being a nurse. I think the person was just doing their job the way they normally do it. As little as possible on night shift. That was the impression I seem to remember. I try not to divulge that I am a nurse.

OCNRN63, RN · Apr 16, 2011

I had a situation many years ago with a nurse who had a major language barrier. She kept trying to give me the wrong meds. I repeatedly told her what meds I was supposed to be getting (trust me, I knew what my meds were) and she continued to argue with me. Finally, I had enough, and demanded to talk to the supervisor. That was the one and only time I threw the "nurse card." Usually, I try to lay low when I am with a family member who is in the hospital. It gets on my nerves when someone gets up in my face with the "I'm a nurse!" as if they're threatening you. I think to myself, "Big deal. You and about 2-3 million other people in this country. That doesn't make you special." Now, if a family member is getting lousy care, I have no problem saying something.

I have no problem turning off the nurse talk. It's just usually someone finds out one way or another. Personally, I'd rather just be a patient. I don't think my being a nurse entitles me to special treatment.

BrookeeLou_RN · Apr 16, 2011

Sometimes, telling them you are a nurse is good, sometimes not..sometimes I tell them I am an attorney(if they tick me off)

rngolfer53 · Apr 16, 2011

Sometimes, telling them you are a nurse is good, sometimes not..sometimes I tell them I am an attorney(if they tick me off)

Careful with that attorney talk.......you might get an "air bolus" thru your central line some day. :lol2:

blueheaven · Apr 16, 2011

Normally I lay low and keep my mouth shut about being a nurse. Only a couple of times I have had to drag out the "nurse" card.

When my mom broke her hip, she told me to come to the hospital when I got off work. 8 hours later, I show up and she is in excruciating pain (she has a high pain threshold) and she hasn't received ANYTHING since admission. The charge nurse gave me a lame excuse "her primary doctor doesn't want to give her anything until the ortho doc sees her" I asked her nicely to call her primary doc back, which she wouldn't. I asked her to call ortho, and she wouldn't. I asked for the phone numbers/beepers of the 2 docs and I told her I was going to call them myself! She said "You can't do that!!! You aren't a nurse!" Umm...wrong thing to say. I am a RN and I AM licensed in this state and I CAN call a physcian whether I am a nurse or not. Mom got her pain meds within 30 minutes after my arrival.

roser13, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2011

Normally I lay low and keep my mouth shut about being a nurse. Only a couple of times I have had to drag out the "nurse" card.
When my mom broke her hip, she told me to come to the hospital when I got off work. 8 hours later, I show up and she is in excruciating pain (she has a high pain threshold) and she hasn't received ANYTHING since admission. The charge nurse gave me a lame excuse "her primary doctor doesn't want to give her anything until the ortho doc sees her" I asked her nicely to call her primary doc back, which she wouldn't. I asked her to call ortho, and she wouldn't. I asked for the phone numbers/beepers of the 2 docs and I told her I was going to call them myself! She said "You can't do that!!! You aren't a nurse!" Umm...wrong thing to say. I am a RN and I AM licensed in this state and I CAN call a physcian whether I am a nurse or not. Mom got her pain meds within 30 minutes after my arrival.

But that's just so wrong! I truly detest the reality that those of us in the health care profession receive "better" (and sometimes this only means "adequate") care just because we know which buttons to push and whom to call.

What if your mom didn't have you? This is the part of American health care that I really, really don't like. And sometimes, to my chagrin, nurses are at the root of the problem, as your story illustrates.

DesertRN2, MSN, APRN · Apr 16, 2011

I was just in the ER yesterday and I guess i did not try to turn it off for any reason, but right away they said to me are you in the medical field? Yes, I am an RN...anyway i felt it was awkward after that because everywhere they wheeled me they had to let everyone know I was an RN.....Hmmm not sure how I feel about it now, whether I would make a conscious effort not to let on... I received great care but it was a bit awkward.