Most Annoying Nursing Stereotype

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Specializes in Adult Acute Psych Inpatient.

What is the most annoying stereotype that you have directly come across. We all know the naughty nurse one. I'm talking more along the lines of, what have you personally had to deal with?

Mine: Well, if you were smarter wouldn't you have become a doctor? :madface:

Well, I didn't become a doctor because I understand that they have to devote more time

and effort into a job than I would like to. To me, a job is a job. Life is what happens when

you're NOT at work. I don't want my whole life to revolve around work. I would like to take

vacations and not be on call, have kids and actually RAISE them. THAT, you idiot, is why

I did not decide to become a doctor. ARGH!

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

Yes, random family member/friend/acquaintance, my possession of a nursing license DOES mean I want to hear about your bowel problems.

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Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.

My most annoying stereotype: That I'm my in-laws' personal 911 service. Drives me crazy.

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Most annoying? The "eat their young" and "middle aged nurses that can't keep up" foolishness.

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Specializes in Transgender Medicine.

Doctor's Handmaidens

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Various facets of the same stone:

That the generic nurse is female...

that a gender-neutral AN username is presumed to mean that one is female...

that there are two kinds of nurses: nurses and male nurses...

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Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care, Cardiac Ca.

ugh....

"My friend's son is a male nurse!"

...a little redundant, no?

and....drumrollllll....

"Here honey, this is _________, one of the wonderful people who help the doctors!"

...er, no. I help you!

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Specializes in MS, LTC, Post Op.

Sexy nurse....that whole skimpy tight white dress and heels thing...irritates me.

Also, just because I am getting my BSN and taking a health assessment class, doesn't mean I want to assess you . every . second . of . the . day! (I'm looking at you mom!)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

The "naughty" nurse. Aargghh!! That is sooo played!

And friends or family who randomly provide an outline of their ailments or pains, and expect you to automatically diagnose them and dispense advice. My response invariably is "I don't really know. Make an appointment with the doctor."

Third, while I enjoy listening to and helping people, I am not a psychologist, counsellor, or psychiatrist. "Nurse" is not synonymous with these.

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Specializes in Tele, Cardiac Post Op, ER.

im not making this up .... seriously being called a chicken for not going to med school. or are you going to med school later? why are people so ignorant.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Sexy nurse ticks me off

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Much of the problem with the sexy/ naughty nurse stereotype stems from the manner in which nurses are portrayed in the media and advertising. People easily have a skewed impression when these images are continually reinforced. I also found myself bothered at Halloween, when these nurse costumes were everywhere. I remember having a discussion one year with a girl I knew who chose to wear such costume. (We were at a Halloween themed event), and I said, "It took me 4 years of hard work to get through nursing school, and you dress up in a skimpy outfit for 2 hours, and call yourself "nurse"."

To each his own, yes. But the whole concept irritates me. As though nurses have nothing better to offer than being eye candy...!

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