That person

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2014

Curious as to why you titled your thread "that person".

Not necessary to make an announcement.. it will soon become obvious by the questions you ask.

As far as how you will then be perceived/treated.. completely depends on the caregivers. Some are threatened and others couldn't care less.

AmandaRn912 · Apr 16, 2014

I ask because when I am in the patient situation I usually don't announce my title. I sit back and observe unless intervention is needed. The post came by way of a nurse approaching me the other day as I was providing care announcing loud proud and rudely she was a nurse. It gets on my nerve sometimes not because im uncomfortable with my level of knowledge or skills. I believe that sometimes nurses disclose their profession to other nurses in a patient setting as a way to belittle their care giver.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2014

I ask because when I am in the patient situation I usually don't announce my title. I sit back and observe unless intervention is needed. The post came by way of a nurse approaching me the other day as I was providing care announcing loud proud and rudely she was a nurse. It gets on my nerve sometimes not because im uncomfortable with my level of knowledge or skills. I believe that sometimes nurses disclose their profession to other nurses in a patient setting as a way to belittle their care giver.

Believe what you want. However:

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.

. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2014

Quite sure they know you are a nurse.. when you are the patient. That info is given in report as a "heads up".

The rude nurse- patient was of course, inappropriate. Yes, sometimes a nurse- patient will use her title to intimidate. "Belittle" is probably your response to the situation.

I am thinking the real issue here is that you are not confident in your skills yet. I clearly remember feeling that way ( a hundred years ago). My patient was a doctor and I spiked the wrong IV. D5 .45 instead of D5. Caught it before I opened it up.. but was mortified.

I wish I could give you the confidence you deserve. In the future.. maybe just acknowledge the fact that they are a nurse.. use your sense of humor.. and admit you feel intimidated.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2014

Believe what you want. However:

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.
. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Ahh! Perfect answer as always ,GrnTea.

Mom2boysRN · Apr 16, 2014

I don't volunteer it. The last time I had my son in the ER after about 10 minutes the nurse looked at me and said "you're a nurse aren't you?" I laughed and asked what gave it away.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2014

My mom has been in and out of the hospital several times in the last year, both times on the same unit. The first time I did not tell the nurses or doctors I was a nurse...until they made a mistake that resulted in ARF. I quickly recognized she was being over medicated, which was causing the kidney issue, and brought it to their attention, along with telling them I was a nurse so my opinion carried more strength. Then next time she was admitted all the nurses remembered me, and got me involved in care planning meetings with the physician

For my own care I generally don't tell that I am a nurse. However I have had to be treated several times at my own hospital where people recognize me.

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2014

I keep it quiet unless I feel that my and/or DH is being compromised.

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2014

I let everyone know I was a nurse when my Dad was in hospital over Xmas.

For one thing, I get a lot more info from the docs, and they are more likely to listen to my request. Like when I asked to get the cath out. I suggested we remove it ASAP due to increased risk of getting a UTI, and the doc agreed. Also added a pro-biotic when I asked.

It was also helpful to the nurses, espthe day they were 3 short. They were find with me turning off his neb treatment and putting the O2 back on, so they didn't have to run back. I also helped turn him in bed and move him up in bed. At the same time, I was respectful and stepped out when they did the bladder scans, caths, etc.

i think as long as the nurse visitor and the working nurse are both respectful, everything will be OK

jallen326 · Apr 17, 2014

I don't make the announcement that I am a nurse but when I had my c-section about 1.5 weeks my doctor did it for me. I work in the ED so I hardly would even go to the L&D floor for them to recognize me.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2014

Sometimes I do, sometimes not. When I had my youngest child, I delivered in the hospital that I work in. Everyone who accessed my chart had to acknowledge that my chart had extra protection and enter a reason why they were in it, so anyone caring for me automatically knew I worked there. Several of my nurses and one of the peds MDs who examined the baby asked if I was a nurse and what unit I worked on, during the course of small talk. I had no issues telling them.

Other times I've mentioned it to spare unnecessary explanations. Just an example, one of my kids was having dental surgery and the CRNA was explaining her role on the OR team. I just lightly said, "I'm an RN, I know 'who' you are."

My older son was diagnosed w/ a couple of heart defects prenatally and had a followup echo while on mother-baby. When I took him for his first checkup, the ped asked, "Did they say anything about a murmur?" I said, "He has a VSD and a bicuspid aortic valve." The ped then asked if I was a nurse and said "You drop those terms a little too easily."

Another time, also on mother-baby I had some nursing students ask if I would mind being "their" pt. They seemed nervous, so I said "No problem! I was a nursing student a few years ago myself."

I never volunteer the info with the intent of intimidation or anything like that though. I've been fortunate enough to never have had a nurse that I lacked confidence in.