Blue or white collar? - Page 2

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  1. May 22, '12 by
    I get paid by the hour, and wear my name on my shirt (or badge, anyway). I clean up nasty, nasty things. I work nights, weekends and holidays. I am a blue-collar worker. And I have no issue with that label. I don't consider what I do a "profession" I consider it a "skilled-trade" and I am finally feeling like a journeyman (or journeywoman, I suppose).

    I wouldn't say that ALL nurses are blue-collar though. Professors, manglement, researchers, etc. I would say are white-collar.
    WeepingAngel, llg, KeyMaster, and 3 others like this.
  2. May 22, '12 by
    The old definitions of blue and white collar belong to another era and don't describe the modern workforce very well.
    You could ask if nurses tend to be middle class or working class people.
    I have worked with nurses from working class backgrounds who were the first in their families to get a college education. I work with middle class people and the occasional nurse married to a high earner who works to afford "extras". The class spectrum you see depends on the demographics of where you live. I live in an upscale area where most nurses are middle class.
    You could ask if nursing is a job or a career.
    I work with "job" nurses who work their 12 hours and see nursing as a job. There are also "career" nurses who leave for anesthesia school or go on for their masters or NP, get CCRN certified, and serve on the hospital committies.
    opossum and jelly221,RN like this.
  3. Asst. Admin
    May 22, '12 by
    [color=#7b7b7b]definition of blue-collar
    : of, relating to, or constituting the class of wage earners whose duties call for the wearing of work clothes or protective clothing — compare white-collar

    definition of white-collar of, relating to, or constituting the class of salaried employees whose duties do not call for the wearing of work clothes or protective clothing — compare blue-collar


    a college educated version of both......50/50
    prettymica and jelly221,RN like this.
  4. May 22, '12 by
    Nurses are "pink" collar - - a workforce that is mainly female. Blue collar is mainly factory workers, delivery men, postal workers, police and firefighters.

    At the 'entry' level we have little say about our working conditions - - days/shifts/work area/number of patients. But there is the ability to move up in the workforce.
    whichone'spink likes this.
  5. May 22, '12 by
    Quote from Do-over
    I get paid by the hour, and wear my name on my shirt (or badge, anyway). I clean up nasty, nasty things. I work nights, weekends and holidays. I am a blue-collar worker. And I have no issue with that label. I don't consider what I do a "profession" I consider it a "skilled-trade" and I am finally feeling like a journeyman (or journeywoman, I suppose).

    I wouldn't say that ALL nurses are blue-collar though. Professors, manglement, researchers, etc. I would say are white-collar.

    "manglement" ROFL!!!!
    Miss Lizzie, KeyMaster, KelRN215, and 3 others like this.
  6. May 22, '12 by
    That had to be typed on an iPhone. Damn you auto correct.
  7. Guide
    May 22, '12 by
    white to me due to professional licensure - actually, what difference does it make?
    sharpeimom likes this.
  8. May 22, '12 by
    Quote from merlee
    Nurses are "pink" collar - - a workforce that is mainly female. Blue collar is mainly factory workers, delivery men, postal workers, police and firefighters.

    .
    This. If we want to be a little less sexist, I'd say Blue Collar.
  9. May 22, '12 by
    Quote from Do-over
    I get paid by the hour, and wear my name on my shirt (or badge, anyway). I clean up nasty, nasty things. I work nights, weekends and holidays. I am a blue-collar worker. And I have no issue with that label. I don't consider what I do a "profession" I consider it a "skilled-trade" and I am finally feeling like a journeyman (or journeywoman, I suppose).

    I wouldn't say that ALL nurses are blue-collar though. Professors, manglement, researchers, etc. I would say are white-collar.
    Manglement.... just about sums it up!
    caliotter3, jelly221,RN, beckster_01, and 1 other like this.
  10. May 22, '12 by
    Quote from grownuprosie
    merriam-webster says nurses are blue collar. however, i think people have different things they believe these terms mean which would explain the disagreement you had. how did they define the terms?

    [color=#7b7b7b]definition of blue-collar

    1
    : of, relating to, or constituting the class of wage earners whose duties call for the wearing of work clothes or protective clothing — compare white-collar

    definition of white-collar

    : of, relating to, or constituting the class of salaried employees whose duties do not call for the wearing of work clothes or protective clothing — compare blue-collar



    that's the best merriam -webster's got?? defining something as complicated as this... and all they refer to is clothing? lame definition!
    digitiminimi likes this.