I’ve written on this subject before, but like many important subjects it needs to be repeated regularly so that everyone gets the memo. I love being a nurse, and even more so, I love that my friends and family love that I’m a nurse. It makes me feel so special when they reach out to me for advice. I’m being honest, it does. It fills me with a particular pride that people seek out my counsel on sensitive, medical subject matter, but there are instances where I wish I could convey a few, simple things. So here’s three things your nurse friend wishes you knew.
1. I don’t know everything. Listen, I’ll be the first person to pat myself on the back at how smart I am, but I have my limitations. I did go to nursing school, which is super hard. And I did learn a ton of stuff. In fact, I’m still learning stuff. But… I don’t know everything.
If you send me a blurry photo of some vague bumps on your toddler’s back I may not be able to throw a diagnosis out to you. In fact, it’s kinda wrong for me to do so. It’s actually outside of my scope of practice to “diagnose.” I will give you my best-educated hypothesis as your friend and as a fellow mom, based on my knowledge and experience, but please understand if I simply don’t know or feel uncomfortable.
When you throw out half a dozen symptoms that point to over a dozen illnesses, again I may be at a loss. I can have an idea based on your presentation, but realize it’s just an idea. It’s not an answer written in stone. That’s why there are things like health history and lab tests that are used to diagnose you.
I also don’t know the name, dosage, and side effects of every drug on the market today. Seriously, have you watched TV lately? There’s like a billion. I’m going to tell you a secret right now. When you ask me a question about a new medicine you’ve been prescribed, nine times out of ten I Google it. I’m a really good googler.
So, you can keep asking me questions. I really don’t mind. Just remember, I don’t know everything. Just most of everything.
2. My advice doesn’t replace that of a physician. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has asked me for advice to prevent going to the ER. Heck, keep asking me. I have friends who work in the ER and I know they appreciate me telling you to not go there. It’s actually pretty easy. 90% of the time if you can take a moment to text me about it and you have reservations about it being ER worthy then it most likely is not. Typically an emergency room visit is an emergency and you won’t have time to phone a friend. Most instances can be more appropriately seen in an acute care clinic setting. There are so many of those open nowadays.
But, most importantly, please know this. My advice is just that. Friendly advice. It should not take the absolute place of a doctor’s visit. If you think you need to go to the ER, go. If you need to get a cure for what’s ailing you then hop in the car and bite the bullet on your copay at the doctor’s office.
As your friend I will gladly suggest home remedies and over the counter medications you can take to help you. As your friend I love to help you. But as a nurse my opinion should not replace that of your physician. I just happen to be your friend or family member who is also a nurse. Go to the doctor already, Dad! I love you.
3. I cannot explain or be held accountable for how your healthcare experience goes. I’m a nurse. Yes, this is true. But I cannot explain why your nurse at your last hospital visit did things a certain way. I can’t explain why the cardiologist’s office won’t call you back. I can’t explain why your family doctor prescribed a second pill for your blood pressure. He has his reasons. I don’t know why that nurse was rude or that doctor incompetent. I wasn’t there. My position in the healthcare field does not somehow mentally connect me to all the other members of the field out there. It doesn’t make your healthcare experience any easier just because you know this nurse (me) who said ____, and I promise if you tell them I did they’ll likely roll their eyes at you. Sorry, but true.
I’m a nurse, and I’m your friend, but I have little to zero control over how your healthcare experience goes unless I am directly related in delivering your care. Again, I don’t know all the answers, and even if I knew most I couldn’t explain why it takes so long in the waiting room of the ER. (But I might guess it has something to do with what we talked about in #2).
Bottom line, I love being a nurse, and even more so I love being your friend who happens to be a nurse. I don’t know everything, but I’ll help you in any way I can. I won’t always have all the answers, and I do have my limitations, but don’t stop asking; I really do love to help. But you gotta stop asking questions that violate the HIPAA privacy laws. I really can’t go there.
Angie Eaton says
Yes!!! I love it! So true!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Linda Lake says
I love it!! Hit the nail on the head. Thank you Brie and please don’t stop writing about the ” nursey” things. I look forward to reading them all!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!