I was at a Walgreens pharmacy waiting with my mom for her scripts to be filled. An elderly woman, wearing a pink ball cap and sparce, thinned gray hair approached the counter. I could hear her conversation without even trying to listen. She asked the pharmacist what she should cleanse a small cut with. The pharmacist told her to use saline and pointed to were it was so she could buy some.
As she passed me, I did not know the pharmacist was making his way behind her, I politely said, "ma'am, I wasn't trying to ease drop, but you can just use soap and water and save some money, I'm a Nurse."
The pharmacist came right up behind me, moved in front of my face and said, "I don't think she asked you, she asked me" as he swayed that neck left to right.
Well, I was pissed at how rude he was, I went and talked to the manager, then went back to the counter to pick up scripts.
He came to the register and stood behind the cashier and said, "Just so you know, I have a PhD, and I know more you do" My jaw dropped and told him his PhD sure didn't teach him how to treat others. He kept arguing with me and mom. Finally, I had to walk away after he told me, "My name is Dr. Peebles " after telling him I was going to contact coporate and file a complaint.
Uggg, I know I was sticking my nose out but he didn't have to act so hateful
I don't have much doubt that no BON would be opposed to a nurse taking part in health education that is well within there scope, that's actually what they expect nurses to do on a regular basis.
I take part in health education .. when I am in the professional setting , and getting paid for it.
The BON is not my friend and would throw me under a bus if the LOL developed an infection by taking MY advice over the pharmacist's.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
You may have more education then he does.
This might very well be true since many nurses are educated at the doctoral degree level these days. In addition, a number people with advanced non-nursing degrees have switched careers to nursing.
However, I'd argue that the average pharmacist with a professional doctorate truly does know more about medications and pharmacological implications than the average nurse who is educated at any degree level.
The pharmacist cannot say that. He is on the job, offering advice, which means anything he says to the lady can come back to him in the form of a lawsuit. doesn't this sound awfully familiar to some of you...
I used to work in a pharmacy and yes, they are allowed to give advice like that. I myself have asked their advice over minute things like the OP was talking about.
I don't know why you think they can't.
I too take offense to the comment regarding the old lady needing someone to look after her. The ignorance in that is perplexing.
Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.
PhD pharmasist, vs care of small wound.....bet you do not know more than me....just saying, ....but the client, provider....interaction, was not quite appropriate...
PhD pharmasist, vs care of small wound.....bet you do not know more than me....just saying, ....but the client, provider....interaction, was not quite appropriate...
Maybe. But I bet he knows how to correctly spell "pharmacist".
Just wanted to share a story that happened to my mum in a pharmacy as well. She's not a nurse, she's dropped out of medical school decades ago and raised 2 kids - that's the extent of her medical knowledge.
She intervened when LOL asked for cold medicine for her elderly husband and pharmacist went to checkout with expensive brand medications... Mum offered same stuff with generic names that is literally 20x cheaper. LOL was crying with gratitude as she really couldn't afford even half of what he offered.
Was she overstepping? Sure. and she has no formal qualifications either.
While i believe OP's situation could have been handled better the advice was sound whether customer followed it or not. I'd hope when my parents get older they can count on someone helping in similar situation and not just going for more money for the company option.
He is a A hole!! Soap and water is fine for a cut. And so is saline ! Just Bc he has his Ph.D. Doesn't mean crap. Remember even in the hospital setting we save Doctors butts Bc if they didn't have us they would be screwed !! [emoji108][emoji817][emoji111]ï¸
Been there,done that, ASN, RN
7,241 Posts
I take part in health education .. when I am in the professional setting , and getting paid for it.
The BON is not my friend and would throw me under a bus if the LOL developed an infection by taking MY advice over the pharmacist's.