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.
Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.
My momma was recently int the hospital where she works as a L&D nurse as a patient and, of course, they knew that she was an RN that worked for the hospital. While visiting I noticed that her nurse didn't check on her as much as you would a normal patient. My mom had helped this nurse deliver her baby in the past. I think if another knows that you are also a Health-care professional then they will expect you to know how to do everything and will not fully do their job, or they will give you special treatment and neglect their other patients. Regardless of your occupation you are still a patient or patient visitor. I would, personally, keep my title/occupation confidential unless necessary for intervention or other similar purposes.
I had to spend 8 hours in the ED with my daughter once. I didn't tell anyone that I was a nurse, but they guessed after a couple of hours anyway. Her monitor had been alarming constantly (nuisance alarms, nothing life-threatening), no one was silencing it, and the noise was adding to my already high stress level. I finally asked the nurse if she could change the alarm parameters so it would stop happening. I blew my cover, but I couldn't take another second of that noise. I tried not to be a pita, but it was hard watching someone about to try to start an IV on my kid in a spot where the previous IV had blown ("Hey, maybe you want to try the other AC? And do you need me to find you an alcohol swab?") I'm sure they hated me at least a little bit, but that was my little girl they were starting that IV on without wiping down the site first!
My dad is currently in our local hospital, and I know that it's been made known that I'm an RN. This is due to many factors: 1.) Small town. 2.) Some of Dad's RN's are friends of mine 3.) I ask questions that non-medical people wouldn't ask. Dad has a VERY complex medical history/condition, and he doesn't understand what is happening to him. So, I'm subsequently the person that's been designated by the family to interact with the RNs and docs and get the correct scoop. I then process it for non-medical people and relay the information to the rest of the family. Works well for us. Believe me, I think it's obnoxious to be running around the hospital going, "I'm an RN! Pay attention to me!" However, when my dad needs my medical knowledge to be used, I'm not going to sit there and play dumb just so that I don't make someone uncomfortable.
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.[/quote']
I have the opposite situation. My mom tells everyone she comes in contact with as soon as she can work it into the conversation that I am a nurse and/or that she has other daughters that are a PA, Dr., RN, etc. I get that she is proud of us but it is very annoying sometimes.
Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.
Yes, it does work!
I haven't "used" it to get out of a ticket, but I have been stopped and when asked about my work, I've been let go without a ticket.
Ha ha ha, me too! Actually this happened to me when I got pulled over at about 10 PM long ago as an HHA going in to do the night shift for my vent-dependent quad in a home environment. The cop asked me what I was doing, I told him "going to work" and then he's like "???? This is a residential neighborhood, there aren't any businesses around here." and I said "I do home care." Well, that was the end of that. He went back to his car and ran my plates, DL and insurance (all fine with a clean driving record) and let me go.
I think generally public service professions feel as if they are all in the same boat, to some degree.
To the OP -- the nurse card -- not so much. I'll do it only if I think I'm getting a misdiagnosis or inadequately worked up, or something isn't happening that should. Otherwise, I prefer to go incognito and just watch what happens. I do have a coworker though that cares for her elderly uncle (takes him to appointments and such) and she actually puts her badge on (in her street clothes) when she takes him in. She says he gets better service.
I don't mention it unless absolutely necessary. Usually family says something..oh she is an RN too and blah blah blah. I'm not there to critique staff or make anyone feel uncomfortable.
Yes if something was unsafe or just flat out wrong..I would bring it to their attention preferably outside the room.
But seriously, I'm not impressed or intimidated because a patient's family or visitor is a nurse/doctor/CNA/medical assistant.
I did my clinicals at the hospital where my wife is a frequent patient so it's kind of hard to hide when she is there. If she is in another facility I usually keep my mouth shut unless it seems necessary. She had an infiltrated IV once and when I went and told her nurse she looked at me and said in a very demeaning manner "now just how would YOU know that?" I said I see it all the time at work. Her attitude did a 180 at that point.
I also have to tell providers that I can do a lot of her home care when they start insisting that we need home health visits. It's easier for me to do dressing changes, IV therapy, or what have you than it is to schedule home health around dialysis schedules, doctor appointments, my work schedule, teenage activities, and the need to actually sleep every once in a while.
When I'm alone, however, I never mention it. I just silently observe for anyone cutting corners that might put me in jeopardy.[/quote']
PatMac10,RN, RN
1 Article; 1,164 Posts
My momma was recently int the hospital where she works as a L&D nurse as a patient and, of course, they knew that she was an RN that worked for the hospital. While visiting I noticed that her nurse didn't check on her as much as you would a normal patient. My mom had helped this nurse deliver her baby in the past. I think if another knows that you are also a Health-care professional then they will expect you to know how to do everything and will not fully do their job, or they will give you special treatment and neglect their other patients. Regardless of your occupation you are still a patient or patient visitor. I would, personally, keep my title/occupation confidential unless necessary for intervention or other similar purposes.