Nursing is better than what is out THERE. What do you think?

Bbett, MSN, NP · Apr 12, 2013

This is exactly true! I have been waiting tables for four years. I will also be waiting tables through nursing school. Hopefully after the next 5 years I will not have to wait on another table, EVER!

RNurse2 · Apr 12, 2013

Cute cartoon. And i wish you the best of luck in your career change. I love to hear about people going into nursing. However, I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but....It is my experience (as short as it may be) that nursing is very similar to waitressing. I have waited tables myself before nursing, and it seems I have some of those same "customers" lying in the hospital bed, except this time they are sick and even grumpier. Not to mention, the nurse is responsible for a lot more than just a meal. Now I am responsible for their health and well being! Oh and their bill is a lot more expensive too, so they are really expecting great service (as they should). And then there's this little issue of customer satisfaction surveys and rounds done by my supervisor. I may still get paid for taking care of that patient if they are not satisfied, but our raises depend greatly on customer satisfaction. Nursing can be very rewarding, but if you are trying to escape situations like these nursing is not the route. I love my job, but I also loved waiting tables. If you enjoy serving, you will probably enjoy nursing as well. I promise I am not trying to be a downer, I just don't want anyone going into this blindly.

noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP · Apr 12, 2013

That customer sounds just like a patient. This waitress won't escape this attitude by going into nursing.

Just substitute, "not getting a good comment on the press-ganey" for, "not getting a tip."

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 12, 2013

Nope, this cartoon missed the mark.

Perhaps if the waitress was saying "Guess I didn't have to leave my nursing job to get away from people like you....you're everywhere!". That might work

SubSippi · Apr 12, 2013

For me, waiting tables wasn't what I hated, what I HATED was working for tips. People seemed to think that they were doing you some sort of favor by leaving a tip, which, in my opinion (obviously I'm biased) is something that's just as expected as paying the bill. Now, if someone is rude, or a flat-out horrible waitress that's one thing, but taking two minutes too long to refill your Dr. Pepper, well...

Also, I don't feel the same sense of urgency about bringing someone extra ketchup as I do about bringing them meds to help with their pain, or cleaning them up if they've soiled their linens. I have a much easier time being patient and understanding when someone is upset because they are really sick, versus when they are really upset because their mayo wasn't one the side.

Condiments were almost the death of me.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2013

As a bedside nurse, I spend a good chunk of time fetching foods, snacks and beverages for patients and families. I'm constantly obtaining coffee, ice water, tea, soda, crackers, peanut butter, late meal trays, ice cream cups, pudding, and other foods/drinks.

I'm glad I work the night shift so I do not have to deal with the food complaints. The day shift nurses pass meal trays for breakfast, lunch and supper, and they receive an earful regarding how terrible the food was. Patients also comment on the bad food on customer satisfaction surveys, as if they really expected world-class food in the hospital setting.

smartypantsnurse, LPN · Apr 13, 2013

I like the cartoon! I was a waitress for 3 years and throughout nursing school so yea I'm used to getting verbally abused by customers and now its by patients ha ha but hey at least it's for more money and the work is actually rewarding! I don't know about you guys but I know after work I never said "Man, I'm so glad I pursuaded people to order more food and drinks!" Our manager would get mad if we didn't get people to buy more appetizers, desserts, or drinks :sarcastic: Yep, glad I became a nurse.

kalevra, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2013

HAHAHAHAHAHAH

Do people really think they will avoid rude patients and family members for the care that they receive while in hospital. Wait till you get into nursing school and you get "that" patient.

Ungrateful rude people are everywhere my dear. You will find tons of them in the hospital. Just to add insult to injury, many of these patients are also going to have their bill paid for by the state and tax payers like you.

Do not fool yourself. You will run into them. You will want to avoid them like the plague. But you cant, because you still have to render them care that meets the standard.

Baubo516, RN · Apr 13, 2013

For me, waiting tables wasn't what I hated, what I HATED was working for tips. People seemed to think that they were doing you some sort of favor by leaving a tip, which, in my opinion (obviously I'm biased) is something that's just as expected as paying the bill. Now, if someone is rude, or a flat-out horrible waitress that's one thing, but taking two minutes too long to refill your Dr. Pepper, well...
Also, I don't feel the same sense of urgency about bringing someone extra ketchup as I do about bringing them meds to help with their pain, or cleaning them up if they've soiled their linens. I have a much easier time being patient and understanding when someone is upset because they are really sick, versus when they are really upset because their mayo wasn't one the side.
Condiments were almost the death of me.

I work as an aid right now, but I am in my first semester of nursing school. I have found that a patient will get just as upset if they have to wait for a glass of Coke that they requested or an extra cookie at lunch (or condiments) as they will if they have to wait to be taken to the bathroom. Just something to think about!

I agree that meeting physical health needs (like potty, pain, positioning) are more important than condiments or Coke, but patients seem to lump it all together under the "customer service" category.

The nurses on my unit bring people Coke and coffee when requested (if allowed by diet), as well as performing actual nursing interventions!

Baubo516, RN · Apr 13, 2013

Just realized my post is very similar to the one by TheCommuter - ah well! Also, the analogy would have been more apt if I had used Dr. Pepper instead of Coke. Well, you know what I mean...

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2013

As a bedside nurse, I spend a good chunk of time fetching foods, snacks and beverages for patients and families. I'm constantly obtaining coffee, ice water, tea, soda, crackers, peanut butter, late meal trays, ice cream cups, pudding, and other foods/drinks.
I'm glad I work the night shift so I do not have to deal with the food complaints. The day shift nurses pass meal trays for breakfast, lunch and supper, and they receive an earful regarding how terrible the food was. Patients also comment on the bad food on customer satisfaction surveys, as if they really expected world-class food in the hospital setting.

Nursing feels so much like waitressing sometimes for the very reason commuter stated. Before I finished reading the cartoon I thought the tag line was going to be something like "I'm sorry sir, but we don't accept tips at the hospital."