do you think there are stigmas in nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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based on specialties?

I'm wondering about the idea that within the profession, there is a snobbery about the line of nursing in which you may be involved.

As a new LPN who is continuing training in an ADN/RN program, my plan is to work at the retirement facility/nursing home where I have worked for the last 9 years. I love the elderly, always have.

Long-time nurses in my facility have told me that I will face some stigma as a long-term care nurse. That is not so important to me because I know that my personal passion is the care of and service for the elderly. But I wonder that within the ranks of nursing there is that kind of feeling.

Is it a case of 'family' - where within the family, it's normal to pick on each other but in the event of outsiders attacking, everyone joins forces?

I'd appreciate any thoughts you may have.

Thanks!

Cindy

I'm glad to hear all of this, because LTC is where I want to work when I finish school. I absolutely love old people.

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.
Originally posted by gwenith

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This is for you - use it with pride - you will be doing a job that I cannot do. I am one of those "ICU Prima Donnas". Three weeks in an LTC facility and I would be intubating the cat and resuscitating the goldfish!!!:eek: The residents are safer without me!:chuckle

:rotfl: :roll Unfortunately they're safer without me too! :rotfl: I LOVE this reply!

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As a nurse who went from Med/Surg to ER, I have to admit and I know I will be in the minority here, but I feel I was a more competent nurse in Med/Surg. I knew the patients more, since I followed them for the shift, could detect subtle changes and I did not have the MD breathing down my neck so I had to make more decisions on my own. Also, the staff, I felt anyway, was more like family and not as cut throat as it can be in some units. I know I worked my tail off in Med/Surg, not that I do not earn my wage now but Med/Surg it was daunting and sitting here typing about it now I wonder how some days I did it, but I did it then with a smile on my face and now I just feel kind of bitter, but that is another story entirely. Do what you love, not what others impose upon you as being on a higher social scale. In the end you will be happier. Besides each nursing specialty is important in its own right, I may be an ER nurse but I bet the LTC nurses could teach any unit nurse a thing or two about Dementia, dysphagia, alzheimer's and other geri related issues. Be proud of yourself and what you do, it is hard work! What matters essentially is not what type of nursing you pursue but that you work hard to be the best at it. Good Luck!

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Thanks for the thoughts. I appreciate them muchly!!!

Of course, if I bomb anymore pharm tests like I did this AM, I may not get any further up the food chain than where I am right now!:o

Off to study for a pulmonary test tomorrow. I'll be back.

Cindy

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Well I'm one of those who plays with babies all day long...so what can I say!

Stick with what you love and forget what others might say! Thank God you do what you do....some day sooner than I can say I'll need ya in my state!!!

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

Yep there are some "nursier than thou" nurses out there.

I LOVE that ! grinorange.gif

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

:D

(I was thinking about you this AM as I was running to the gym around 3:00AM. "Wonder if jnette's up and about too. :) )

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

:D

(I was thinking about you this AM as I was running to the gym around 3:00AM. "Wonder if jnette's up and about too. :) )

Good MORNING, Tweets ! :kiss

Yep ! Been up since 0430... and it's my day off !!! Guess I'm afraid I'm gonna miss something...:rolleyes: heh.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Good morning to you to. Now I have the choice of getting my haircut and going shopping or napping. Probably nap because tonight is yoga class, then dinner and a movie with the gang.

Hope you have a great day off!

Am I a little off topic here? Cross-talking. Sorry. :D

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