Hi! This is the first thread I've posted......and I'm afraid it's a bit of a silly question, but I hope to get a couple of replies! I'm in a class right now where I had to read a couple of articles. One mentioned the fact that the public really doesn't know what nurses do......which makes it difficult for us to get all the respect we deserve, not to mention money!! Anyway, I think most nurses aren't in this profession for the 'glory', but what do you tell people when they ask you what you do? I of course tell them I'm a nurse, but if part of our problem is that the public doesn't understand what we do, then that's really not enough. I have one aunt (mid 70's in age) who insists that I'm only in this because I'm working my way to be an MD. I can't get her to realize they are different professions, nursing isn't a stepping stone to becoming a doctor. But I gave up trying because she's older and has a different idea of what nursing is, I'm sure. Now, this past weekend, a friend of mine that I hadn't seen in a while (29 years old, so age shouldn't be an issue!) asked me if I still work at the same place and if I was still doing "that nursing thing"! I told her I was, but I really should have explained that "that nursing thing" is part of who I am, my career! But if I had to explain the job, I honestly don't know what to say. I don't want to break it down to just the tasks I do, that doesn't seem right since nursing is much broader than what I do on one unit. Does anyone have a good answer to this question? One that describes the type of work we do and the education needed, and explains that it's more than bathing and toileting people, although that is obviously part of it? Like I said, I know this is a silly question, but I've been a nurse for 3 years, and still can't explain it to the point that people really understand what I do. Thanks for any help!!! :kiss
