To tell or not to tell?

Ayvah, RN · Feb 20, 2015

I have a different perspective. I go out of my way to avoid receiving healthcare :), but, when I do have to, I let people know, in a low-key, pleasant way, right up front that I'm an RN. I would rather do that to begin with than have it come out at some point later on and have anyone feel like I'm playing "gotcha!" I know that's what I would prefer it if the situation were reversed.

What's "gotcha" about being a nurse? Why do you prefer to know, especially if the patient is a nurse not in the specialty they're receiving care in? (i.e. an allergy nurse receiving treatment in oncology) Would you treat them differently knowing that information? If so, why?

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2015

They usually find out just because I can't keep my mouth shut from talking about nursey things. It's just in my verbage. Doc asked me once at a visit what I'd been taking for a headache that was plaguing me and I told him 800mg of ibuprofen Q6. He looked at me and said "So you're in medicine? What do you do and where do you work?" LOL!

I have the same problem. When I met my oncologist a few years ago, we were talking about a medication I was taking. He said he thought he'd read in my records that I was taking 50 mg daily. I responded "BID" and I was busted. Same thing with a Nephrologist I went to for a second opinion. I was trying to explain to them why I felt I needed a second opinion/why I didn't think the first Nephrologist knew what he was doing when he'd overlooked a venous CO2 level of 19. As soon as I said CO2, the fellow said "are you working in the medical field?"

For the most part, I find it's to my benefit when my providers know. They talk to me like I understand what's going on, I don't want to be treated like someone who doesn't know anything. Plus they listen to me. When I email my Endocrinologist and tell him I'm symptomatic and need labs checked, he immediately emails me a lab req.

I don't walk into a hospital or new doctor's office saying "I'm a nurse!" but if they don't read it in my records, they usually figure it out PDQ.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 21, 2015

I don't always offer this information, but it always seems to come out in the course of a conversation. Besides, it's a small town and I've worked in the health system here, so most people know I'm a nurse anyway.

MatrixRn · Feb 21, 2015

I generally do not tell, but like others have stated it does not take them long to figure out.

An old saying comes to mind, "Nursing is not my job, I am Nursing."

Libby1987 · Feb 21, 2015

They've usually found out by family or knowing me. I pretty much always tell them that I know little to nothing of their speciality. And I always tell them I'm nervous if I am, which I pretty much always am since I hate being the patient. That seems to clear the tension.

I like to know when my patients are in healthcare, it used to intimidate me but I've done my job long enough to be confident knowing they need and appreciate my care. The physicians are actually easier than nurses and seem to appreciate an experienced nurse who can just let them be patients but most of the nurses have been pretty easy.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Feb 21, 2015

Unless they ask, I don't tell. Let them do their job is what I think, THEY are being paid today, not me, LOL

Ayvah, RN · Feb 21, 2015

I like to know when my patients are in healthcare, it used to intimidate me but I've done my job long enough to be confident knowing they need and appreciate my care.

Why do you like to know your patients are employed in healthcare? Do you change your care because of it?

Libby1987 · Feb 21, 2015

Why do you like to know your patients are employed in healthcare? Do you change your care because of it?

I change how I talk or explain things to them, I like to meet patients where they're at including the educated ones, whatever makes them the most comfortable.

Wave Watcher · Feb 21, 2015

I am having surgery the end of March and the only reason why I told my doc's office I was an RN is because they give discounts to nurses. I don't ever tell someone I am a nurse. I just let them do their job. If I have any complaints I would follow whatever procedure the facility I am at states. I am no different than the little 80 yr old lady down the hall. :-)

Ayvah, RN · Feb 21, 2015

I change how I talk or explain things to them, I like to meet patients where they're at including the educated ones, whatever makes them the most comfortable.

I've found the knowledge base varies so widely among those in healthcare (new vs experienced nurse, different specialties, different patient populations, etc) that its just not safe to make any assumptions(not saying you do, but there's a risk of them not understanding something if you jump ahead even about basic information, especially since patients who are sick are not in the work/medical mindset). I've met some patients who did not work in healthcare who were extraordinarily knowledgeable about their condition/what I was going to teach them, and some healthcare workers who I really had to go basic on. I agree when you say to tailor the teaching to what makes the patient comfortable, but that applies to all patients; I don't see anything special about healthcare workers in this area.

As a patient myself, I always preferred that nurses not change their normal patient education spiel for me, since I could always ask more in-depth questions per my knowledge base. That way I as the patient was in control of the education session. Being sick, especially when its unexpected, really clouds your mind. Its so very different than when you're in a calm controlled environment.

Gooselady, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2015

In a way, this is a 'non-dilemma'

It's your choice to tell or not. There are consequences either way, and no one is psychic enough to predict how this information will be 'used'. You ARE a nurse. Does this matter when you are getting a medical procedure done? This is a personal question. There isn't a set of objective rules out there, nor ought there to be . . .

I still have a moment here and there where I think 'should I tell them I'm a nurse?' Sometimes I feel internal pressure to self disclose, and think the same thing, 'should I? Or not?' and then wonder why I'm making an issue of it.

I told my vet I was a nurse, and he began speaking to me in clear medical terms, without translating into lay speak. He was thoughtful and interested in my questions, and even went to look something up. I say THAT was a great call, to tell him I was a nurse

I've been yanked down to face to face by a family member hissing "I'm a registered nurse". I've taken care of a patient for 7.9 hours and in closing up the chart, read that she is a nurse. She was A&Ox3 :) We chatted about having chickens. I wouldn't have known had I not checked her face sheet for something! Sure, these two are contrasting, one had ulterior motives and the other, well, maybe she didn't want me to know. What's the biggie? I don't know if there is one but I understand wondering, OP. I'd just say there is no 'should I?' or 'shouldn't I?' No shoulds. Off hand, it doesn't matter that you are a nurse, but if you find your doc or nurse using lay-speech with you when they could just talk frankly, telling them you're a nurse makes sense.

Libby1987 · Feb 21, 2015

I've found the knowledge base varies so widely among those in healthcare (new vs experienced nurse, different specialties, different patient populations, etc) that its just not safe to make any assumptions(not saying you do, but there's a risk of them not understanding something if you jump ahead even about basic information, especially since patients who are sick are not in the work/medical mindset). I've met some patients who did not work in healthcare who were extraordinarily knowledgeable about their condition/what I was going to teach them, and some healthcare workers who I really had to go basic on. I agree when you say to tailor the teaching to what makes the patient comfortable, but that applies to all patients; I don't see anything special about healthcare workers in this area.
As a patient myself, I always preferred that nurses not change their normal patient education spiel for me, since I could always ask more in-depth questions per my knowledge base. That way I as the patient was in control of the education session. Being sick, especially when its unexpected, really clouds your mind. Its so very different than when you're in a calm controlled environment.

That's not what I meant to imply, I still give them the same info, but I adjust language and depth more in line with their knowledge base.

Keep in mind, I'm in the home enviroment, it's usually as calm as it gets, and relatively informal. I don't go all academic on anyone, I couldn't if I wanted to.