Who plays the "I'm a Nurse Card"?

[Doc Lori, R.N.]

I am curious as to how many of us readily make it known to other health care professionals that you are also a health care professional. Whether you are a patient yourself, or a visitor of someone in a hospital setting, do you ( or the patient ) make it known that you are a nurse? I never ever do. My sister practically announces it to everyone she comes in contact with when she is in the hospital, and I continually threaten to cause her more pain if she does that again! I feel it makes the provider of care feel very uncomfortable, and serves no ultimate purpose other than bullying or requesting special treatment. Frankly, though, I will "pull" that card if and only if something is glaringly wrong, and then I would ask to speak to management to make them aware.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I agree with you. Although it is sometimes tricky to keep your guard up and refrain from speaking the lingo, thereby giving yourself away.

In my experience, those who announce their medical designations are either (a) extremely insecure, or (b) inflating their experience. I'll never forget the patient's daughter who showed up everyday in a sparkling pink set of scrubs, always announcing herself as a "nurse" and questioning just about everything about mom's care. One day mom confided to me that daughter had purchased a new set of scrubs just for the hospital "occasion" because her position as CNA only provided old, raggedy scrubs.

The last time I disclosed that I was a nurse was in an extended family situation where I could see that the primary nurse was starting to be frustrated with the family's indecision about keeping "mom" as a full code. I asked her in private if I could help with the family and she was very grateful for my ability as a family member to move the process along.

[bill4745, RN]

I never do until either I need to because of problems with care or at the end to complement the care.

[clemmm78, RN]

Depends on the situation. I don't announce it, but it is often revealed during the course of the hospital stay by something I've said or done. Not intentionally - not a serious "only a nurse would say that," but something more casual. I might ask what antibiotics are being given or what tests are ordered. Once, a noticed my daughter's IV had infiltrated so I sought out her nurse and just informed her. Of course, the question from her is "oh are you a nurse?"

I have had to say very forcefully that I was a nurse when I wasn't being taken seriously in an ER - I was the patient. The attitude changed very quickly.

[jlr820]

I've never done it, and won't unless there was a major problem with the care being provided. I don't like it when a patient or family member does it to me, as it is usually stated with an air of superiority. I agree with a previous poster. Usually, it's an indication of insecurity. I recently had a family member do this to me as I was providing discharge instructions for her 13 year old daughter. As I was discussing those instructions, I was told "I know, I've been a CNA for 25 years." I wanted to say "So what...at this point in time you are a parent, and should listen to what I am telling you rather than trying to impress me with your vast knowledge. I might actually say something important to the care of your child." Of course, I didn't say it but found it rude. I applaud the fact that someone is a health care professional, and would never wish to dismiss that, but please don't throw it in my face. I doubt someone would want me throwing my RN credentials at them if the roles were reversed. It isn't helpful. Again, I would only do it if there was a huge problem with the care that was being provided (as in a major deviation from the standard of care).

[Davey Do]

I'm with you.

My primary concern is with information the attending caregivers intend to impart. If they know that I'm a nurse, some information may be left out, assuming that I know everything about all aspects of medical care. (Which isn't true.)

So, I figure if I remain incognito, the attending caregiver will impart all the necessary information to me or my loved one as they would in the absence of a medical professional.

Good question, Doc Lori.

[pers]

Well, most of my family ends up in the hospital where I work so not much of a secret! When at other facilities though, I never mention it even when I view something as being wrong. I don't deny it if asked but I don't toss it out there either. Usually friends or family tell on me though which makes me feel bad for the nurse providing care, especially with things like IV starts and dressing changes.

[j621d]

I don't say anything, but my husband will announce it (ugh). I will say something if I think it will help with communications, such as if I am calling from out of town and am speaking to the nurse caring for a family member. I don't say anything to get "better" treatment, or as a "threat."

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I had surgery awhile ago and have also had some major dental work done. With the doctors in both these situations, I wasn't getting the information about what was going to happen, that I needed. As a nurse, I like and need details and can handle the medical language. They just weren't telling me things. After I told them I was a nurse and liked to know the details, and could understand medical things, they both told me alot I don't think they would have otherwise. They surely didn't offer it before then. One of the doctors said no one had ever asked questions before!

Makes me wonder how non-medical people make an informed consent--do they just trust that much that they say ok without knowing what's going to happen.

[pielęgniarka, RN]

I leave that up to my kids, they will mention it to every doctor and nurse that walks by. "My mom's an RN too!" They (my kids) think it's really cool to say that. When I'm alone, however, I never mention it. I just silently observe for anyone cutting corners that might put me in jeopardy.

[clemmm78, RN]

I think that it's unfair to label people as insecure if they tell attending staff that they are nurses. When I was working clinically, I liked knowing if I was dealing with a nurse. I felt there was a connection there that may not have happened otherwise.

I also resent being labeled as insecure because I will mention it if the situation warrants it. Perhaps it's the other way around sometimes. Maybe some nurses don't like knowing that they are dealing with nurses as patients or families and somehow feel threatened?

[SandraCVRN]

My husband tells everyone that I'm a nurse. Also tells them I'm on the Heart Team.

It's just that he is so proud of me. LOL. He thinks I'm hot $h1t!! For being on the heart team.