"Why does a nurse have to go to college?"

[bookwormom]

"Why can't she just work with another nurse and learn what she needs to know?"

This is the question posed to me by a friend whose children are homeschooled and live somewhat "off the grid". (The teen daughter is very interested in nursing and is academically quite competetent. She would like to be a missionary.) My friend is a self-described "rebel", well educated himself at the masters level. He rejects almost all state regulation, licensure, social security, insurance, etc. Nothing I could say convinced him that formal education and licensure for nurses has value.

I'd love to see his daughter attend some type of nursing program when she is old enough. Any ideas of what might convince him that it is a good idea?

[bookwormom]

I'm not really sure how to respond to some these posts. I will not argue about my friends' lifestyle,but I will note that the kids are well cared for, well educated, play sports, and are active in many community and church activities. The kids are articulate and outgoing. They do receive health care, for which the family pays cash. They pay taxes. I doubt very much that any of them read Ayn Rand; they are very Bible focused, and believe that the church should be taking on many of the responsibilities for the sick and the poor that the government currently assumes.

I never argue with my friends on these matters, although they are aware that I do not share many of their beliefs. Our relationship is based on a certain shared respect, a mutual passion for books, and just the bonds of long friendship.

Because I never argue with them, when I do speak, I believe they pay attention and consider my opinions important. Some of the posts have been helpful! I will share many of the suggestions with the Mom, who is the person with whom I have the most conversation. As I stated before, she is clearheaded and her husband respects her judgement, in large part.

[canned_bread]

Because nursing isn't just about practical skills, it's about knowing anatomy, WHY things work, molecular structure...

Perhaps he thinks nurses change bed pans, spoon feed patients and hang a bag that the doctor tells them to do?

[Good Morning, Gil]

It has been my experience that no matter how logical, you can't convince an overly opinionated person to change his/her mind.