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
You did the morally correct and kind thing by offering assistance, and maybe a little encouragement, to an elder. But aren't you kicking yourself over all the millions of snappy comebacks you could have thrown at that guy?
"Personally, ever since the Unibomber I feel like PhDs are over rated. And you seem reeeeeally upset. Should I be worried?"
There was nothing morally correct about OP's actions. No interjection was needed and for someone with a nursing license her behavior was obnoxious. OP behaved like an uniformed lay person, but she's not and should know better.
ETA Horseshoe already stated my opinion on this debacle.
There is no "don't speak until spoken to" rule in nursing, and actually what makes many of the best nurses I've ever met such great nurses is that they don't follow any such rule. I get that there are those who hold this as a personal or cultural view, but I don't think it's something can be applied broadly to nursing in general. Personally, I have no problem with someone questioning my recommendations, assessments, etc, I'm happy to debate them, what concerns me is people aren't prepared to do that.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
You were out of line and crossed professional boundaries. And as a nurse, I would not offer up medical advice to anyone, family, friends and especially strangers. You could even say you risk your license doing so. Don't focus so much on the rude and snippy words from the pharmacist, who was, by the way, acting completely within the scope of practice.
There is no "don't speak until spoken to" rule in nursing, and actually what makes many of the best nurses I've ever met such great nurses is that they don't follow any such rule. I get that there are those who hold this as a personal or cultural view, but I don't think it's something can be applied broadly to nursing in general.
So, do you go around offering unsolicited medical advice to strangers in public places? Is that what makes someone a "great nurse"?
The woman never asked the OP for their opinion. they are the one that "intervened" as you put it after the pharmacist had already answered the question that was directed at HIM.
Yes I see that now. I had misread the OP and was under the impression that the lady asked her. I would not give anyone advice off the clock unless I had overheard the pharmacist tell her something absurd, like "eat 5,000mg of sodium with every meal for your HTN!" LOL
I worked in a couple of EDs and a trauma center that had clinical pharmacists right there in the ED, they were awesome! I would have called them whatever they wanted, they were so helpful! Lol.
OMG that is my dream. To have a clinical pharmacist on staff. I think it is so bizarre, how underutilized pharmacists are in clinical environments. Pharmacology is crazy complex and constantly changing, and I think incorporating pharmacists into the direct patient care team could be hugely beneficial.
Also, it can get blurred and confusing with doctoral nurses, calling them "Dr. Evenmorestudentloans", due to scope of practice issues. Again, I addressed these faculty in school as "Professor", which was accurate, and in no way denigrated anyone.
Oh well, flame away...
Seriously LOLing over here. I wish this site had better smilies.
Yeah, OP you definitely overstepped here. And the pharmacist reacted in a seriously unprofessional way.
Well, did the old lady buy the saline or take your suggestion?
I dont think it was out of line to offer a cheaper alternative to someone in the community as long as the interaction remained between just the two of you. I realize that you didnt know the pharmacist overheard you say that so at that point, you should have backed off immediately. I cant believe you continued to argue with him and went as far as making a complaint.
Libby1987
3,726 Posts
There was nothing morally correct about OP's actions. No interjection was needed and for someone with a nursing license her behavior was obnoxious. OP behaved like an uniformed lay person, but she's not and should know better.
ETA Horseshoe already stated my opinion on this debacle.