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Nurses Relations

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As to the fact that we all here are nurses, what is everyone's thoughts on telling others your a nurse when your the patient or a family member??

Specializes in Pedi.

I don't volunteer the information but most doctors either ask what my profession is or figure it out based on the way I am talking. Several years ago, I saw a doctor for a second opinion for a longstanding condition. He was asking me about what medications I was taking (he had my records from the previous doctor) and asked if I was taking a med once/day. Without thinking, I responded "BID" and I was outed. Plus, all my doctors work within the same system so they can all access my old notes and see that I am. I generally find that it works to my benefit when doctors know, though. They are more likely to listen to me when they think I know what I am talking about.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

My proudest moment: making it all the way thru my daughter's labor & delivery without divulging my true identity.

Of course all the attendant nurses claimed to have figured me out.....after the fact.

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I don't announce it. I haven't ever felt the need to.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Those who announce the most loudly and proudly that they are nurses...probably aren't.

I generally dont say anything, but if it's involving my wife she'll say she has the best nurse to take car of her. :x3:

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My husband is hospitalized frequently and it is usually he that "outs" me or it just comes out because I know someone or they remember from a previous visit. I have not ever pushed it on anyone nor do I try to use to intimidate or get preferential treatment. If anything I try to make it easier on the nurse on shift by doing his showers or bed baths, changing the linens, etc. I think so long as it is handled in a way of showing respect to a fellow colleague there shouldn't be any issue.

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Specializes in L&D, OR, ICU, Management, QA-UR, HHC.

When my daughter-in-law was in labor, my son made sure everyone knew I was a labor and delivery nurse and that the other grandma was a lawyer. I don't know which one of us was the most intimidating, but she got excellent care.

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.
Those who announce the most loudly and proudly that they are nurses...probably aren't.

This is exactly the truth.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I've never just told nurses/doctors that I'm a nurse. I generally keep it to myself unless someone asks what I do.

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Specializes in peds, allergy-asthma, ob/gyn office.

I usually keep it to myself. However, docs have figured it out several times. There have also been times when I've been with my parents at the hospital, and they out me! Also, when I am with my kids in urgent care/pedi office, etc, I tend to keep it to myself... because often when my kids have been sick I am stressed/sleep deprived, and just don't have my wits about me enough to act halfway intelligent! We've had the same pedi for 13 yrs now and I don't think he's figured it out!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Those who announce the most loudly and proudly that they are nurses...probably aren't.

I hadn't thought about that, but you're right! The ones who make the biggest deal about knowing it all because they're nurses may have the vocabulary (or some of it) but don't understand what it means. The one that springs to mind is the girlfriend of a heart transplant patient who wouldn't listen to any patient teaching we tried to do -- and wouldn't let the patient listen, either. It got so bad we'd try to do all of our teaching when she was out of the room. Come to find out, she did go to nursing school fourteen years ago, failed the NCLEX six times and is now managing a bar. One of our CNAs responded to that little tidbit by saying "If you ain't past the exam, you ain't a nurse." I hugged her afterward!

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I don't tell anybody I'm a nurse when I'm the patient.

It really is a hard thing to hide though. One of two concise questions about the diagnosis, generally gives it away.

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I just wondered because u had a family member come up ti ne the other day and demand a battery of tests because she was a cardiac nurse... needless to say the test were all negative and the patient suffered. I always keep it to my self. I just feel its more professional. Im here for your help not to step on your toes.

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