Okay does your family do this or is it just mine?

crnasomeday · Jun 14, 2001

My family has done that since my very first semester, and all of my friends in school have families that do it too. It's way too funny to me. My dad will call me at least once a week to ask me a question, and then if he doesn't like my answer to it he'll say "Well, what do you know? You're just a student."

kittykash · Jun 14, 2001

Yes, but's it's my fault. When I stated A&P and learned about the entire body, I would tell my family fascinating facts about the body. I'm sure I griped their butts at times, but the human body is just amazing to me--I sort of felt like I was part of a "private club" knowing and learning all that I did. I think they thought I was a know-it-all. Now, I've slacked off. My father had a massive heart attack and only about 1/3 of his heart is working. Sadly, I know what is eventually going to happen. My parents are in denial about the eventual outcome of this MI. At first, I was real strict on them, enforcing the low-salt, low-fat diet and telling them why. Then, my father gave up on everything (except the meds) that the doctors told him to do and he says he has never felt better (since his MI, anyway). So, I keep my mouth shut and sit back and watch him enjoy the rest of his life. Quality is much better than quantity, if you know what I mean. Now I know that was off the subject--sorry for straying. Not only does family come to you for advice and knowledge, but friends of family call on you, too!

mistersleepy · Jun 15, 2001

My wife the RN HATES that! Me the SN really enjoys it. I use it as an opportunity to learn. All depends on perspective I guess.

Brown Suga · Jun 16, 2001

Hello. My name is Marlita, and I have been a nursing assistant for 3 years. I am starting an ADN nursing this August. Everyone in my family comes to me for everything that might be wrong with them at the moment. I tell them what I think and sometimes the agree. I usually tell them to quick there job and call me in the morning. Maybe if I start charging them the price of an actual doctor's visit them will stop coming to me. It is just a thought.

Thank you. :cool:

JennieBSN · Jun 16, 2001

Wait 'til you get your RN!! It gets worse...

Since I work L&D, my response is usually, "well, are you pregnant? If not, I don't know the answer to that. You should call your DOCTOR." Unless it's something small or something I DO know about.

As for the not taking your advice, when my mom called me up and asked me what it meant when she had 5 bp's in the 180's/100 range, I said, "it means you have hypertension and need to see your DOCTOR." When she balked at my answer, I told her, "don't ask for my opinion if you don't really want it, okay?" She sheepishly agreed and went to her doc the next week and started on meds.

BrandyBSN · Jun 26, 2001

Absolutely, and i enjoy it. It make me very proud when people ask me for advice (although i specify that it is only advice, as to not leave my legal scope of practice).

It can get aggrevating, but it also means that they value your knowledge, and respect your opinion :)

I'm betting that this is just the beginning of it

cheri2 · Jun 29, 2001

LOL.... I don't get the phone calls yet...but I get hesitation during conversations when someone is telling me about an illness or doctors appointment..as if they are waiting for me to say.....yep..your doctor is right...lol. it makes me laugh. I agree with a previous post on here. The human body is amazing and it is fascinating. You just want to share it with everyone...(but you know they won't appreciate it like you do..:)

WE also have another nurse in our family who is well established in her career..so perhaps she gets all the calls ......for now.

crnasomeday · Jun 30, 2001

I carpooled to clinicals with a friend last semester, and on our way home we stopped at a gas station. Keep in mind that we're dressed all in white with big name tags that clearly say STUDENT NURSE. We went inside, and this woman, a complete stranger, came up to my friend and asked "Excuse me maam'. Does this look like strep throat to you?" And then she opened her mouth wide right in my friend's face! I thought this was the funniest thing. My friend said "Well, I don't know. Do you always have big white patches of gunk inside your mouth and throat like that?"

puzzler · Jun 30, 2001

Yes-- I believe most, if not all, families do this and you will find that friends will do the same thing.

You will need to find your level of comfort with answering these inquiries. When I encounter this, I answer to the best of my ability but also end with "but you really ought to have your doctor look into it" or the appropriate response in that line.

Good luck with school and welcome to the world of nursing.

Goofball · Jun 30, 2001

My family or friends don't ask a lot. But when they do, it's usually about pediatrics, or

obgyn, or other things I know nothing about.

They probably watch those soaps, where the nurse works in E.R., pediatrics, Radiology, obgyn, and the cardiac unit, sometimes all in the same day. What I hate is when a total stranger, or a neighbor, gets a tipoff that you're a nurse, and they want to show you sputum in their kleenex, or pull up their shirts or pull down their shorts to share with you things you really don't want to see or hear about. I'm careful never to wear anything out in public that says 'hey, look at me, I'm a nurse!' just for those very reasons.

prmenrs, RN · Jun 30, 2001

When I was a student, I would say, "I don't think they've covered that yet!" When I got back to school, I'd look it up, if there was anything worth sharing, I did!

Now, after 20+ years of neonates, my line is, if it weighs >15lbs, I don't know anything about it!

But, I will look stuff up for 'em. :rolleyes: