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
So, do you go around offering unsolicited medical advice to strangers in public places? Is that what makes someone a "great nurse"?
I'm skeptical you're saying that as an established premise, nurses shouldn't take part in health related discussions. I think more of what people are describing is a matter of severity; at what point does an issue warrant interjecting on an issue, not on the grounds of what we as nurses can discuss but more of the social norms we each abide by.
If you overheard a conversation where someone told the pharmacist "I have tight pain in my chest that is also in my left arm and jaw, I feel like an elephant is sitting on me, it's hard to breath and I feel like I might pass out" and the pharmacist responded "no big deal, just take a tylenol a go to bed" would you feel it appropriate as a nurse to include your thoughts?
I wonder how the BON would view it if the pharmacist also made a complaint; I would question whether that would be considered giving medical advice.
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'm skeptical you're saying that as an established premise, nurses shouldn't take part in health related discussions. I think more of what people are describing is a matter of severity; at what point does an issue warrant interjecting on an issue, not on the grounds of what we as nurses can discuss but more of the social norms we each abide by.
If you overheard a conversation where someone told the pharmacist "I have tight pain in my chest that is also in my left arm and jaw, I feel like an elephant is sitting on me, it's hard to breath and I feel like I might pass out" and the pharmacist responded "no big deal, just take a tylenol a go to bed" would you feel it appropriate as a nurse to include your thoughts?
"Take part in health related conversations"? If I (or another nurse) am invited, sure. Eavesdropping on and butting into other people's private conversations to provide unsolicited advice? No.
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.
You and I obviously disagree about this, because as I would interpret a nurse identifying themselves as a healthcare professional and then giving medical advice outside of work and without any protocols is not within a RN scope.
There is a legal difference between providing facts and providing advice. If the OP told the woman that 'research shows that tap water is just as good" that's fine. But telling the woman to "use" tap water is giving medical advice.
(Edited my post as it initially sounded snarky when Re-read it. )
I wouldn't bud in on this type of conversation or make assumptions about the reasons the pharmacist recommended the saline. The lady may have asked the pharmacist to recommend a wound cleaning product because they have medical reasons to avoid using soap on their skin.
If I were you I would never say anything? It's just saline and not something that would harm the customer. If it's something harmful, then l may say something, but for just saline it's a no, no, no. I love backing up my fellow nurses but not in this kind of situation. You shouldn't have involve yourself in the beginning.
He is a doctorate of pharmacy by spending enuff boring time in a classroom. And i agree he must also have taken "crap on people 101" he should have had the smarts to avoid causing a bad situation for everyone. People get so butthurt over status. Signed normal joe
Unfortunately, I never wanted to get burned for even remotely looking like I gave the wrong feedback, even when *asked outside of a work environment. I ALWAYS follow anything I say outside with, "ask your doctor", and that is at those rare times I say *anything at all. The only people I "treat" are my family, as would any mother/wife/grandmother, etc.
ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP
1 Article; 2,594 Posts
Yeah....you were out of line, but he was also rude.
Sometimes it is best just to mind your own business.