The Irony of Nursing

My thoughts on respect and support within this profession. Wrote about personal experiences and shared thoughts among other colleagues. Please add your input. Dying to hear some thoughts on this. We cannot demand for respect if we do not respect one another. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

The Irony of Nursing

I don't know if it is just me but I feel like nursing is really oppressive and unsupportive. I think this all starts in nursing school. Everyone becomes for them self and no one is willing to help you out, even people who you call friends. The faculty at the school could not care less about your success/ progress and do not support you. All they care about is NCLEX passing scores and how much tuition they are receiving.

Heck, at mine all my professors care about are their PHDs rather than actually teaching us. I don't see the point in showing up for class if the professor is just going to read straight from a powerpoint that is so undetailed/ full of basic information than to stay home and teach myself.

Please stop trying to find ways to insult us and take a step back to monitor for any condescending tones in your email response.

Please only go into nursing education if you have a passion for it and not the desire to receive tuition reimbursement. To those professors who do not want to give out As any more and give the entire clinical groups a B because GPA is not important. NEWS FLASH, nursing has never been so competitive. Most of us have our heart/ mind set on becoming a NP and our chances are being hindered.

Granted if we don't deserve the A, don't give it to us. But, if your clinical setting requires us to stay longer than any other groups and we complete care plans every week while all the other clinical groups only do a few and leave early from clinicals everyday then I think we deserve that A. We put in the effort, stop cutting us down.

Don't be so naive, nowadays applying to grad school means you are just GPA to just be considered, then comes in the other factors, references, exp, etc.

Nursing professors and nurses stop automatically favoring guys. It is just plain catty and petty and downright immature for a 50 year old always giving leadership roles to males in the clinical group. And this happens right off the bat, not after those male/ female students have developed rapport with the professor.

Nurses are more willing to give medications to the male student before the female student. I have seen this happen countless of times.

GROW UP.

It's downright sad.

Then you come on here, try to ask people how you would go about becoming a CRNA or an ICU nurse and you get responses like "Tell God your plans and watch him laugh".

Okay, we get it, things don't always work out the way you want to work out. THATS LIFE. We didn't come on this forum for a philosophical discussion. We came on here for support. Support.

Where is it?

You walk into a medical school class and all you can hear the professor saying is how they are all so brilliant.

BOTTOM LINE: we cannot demand respect/ support if there is a lack of demand/ support within our own network.

Please share your thoughts on this. Hopefully, I am wrong on this but I have spoken to a lot of other fellow nursing students and they feel the same way.

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DeepBreath

About DeepBreath

RN, BSN

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I think nursing instructors feel like they are gatekeepers to the profession. I have seen a rise in the number of graduates recently whose motivation was the stability and compensation of a nursing career. This does not make one a good nurse.

Medical school is not a good example as there are many MD's who can technically do the job, but lack a certain something when it comes to practice. I would not be jealous of praise received just because you can pay tuition.

Whenever I hear of nursing students saying they want to be an NP or CRNA I just smile to myself. Life happens- you might find yourself not wanting that goal after a few years of nursing. Your professors might be telling you not to put the cart before the horse.

Being "unsupportive" might also just be different generations perspectives: I have noticed in social media and life that in general younger people don't seem to want to have any criticism directed at them. I take the criticism and grow from it- either it makes me more sure of my position, or it changes the way I practice (or it tells me someone is taking out their frustrations).

Lastly- you must find the support from within- as a nurse you will sometimes be the only one who sees the big picture: Nursing practice is a philosophy.

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I more than welcome constructive criticism. lol so true, I work customer service and deal with negative energy/ frustrated clients a lot and try to make it better but you can try your best sometimes there are things beyond your control that they are indirectly venting on.

And of course there are always different variables to every situation but if I am having the intention of becoming a NP or CRNA, trust me, I will make it happen. Honestly, I don't want to hear any other comments but support because I will make it happen.

Hm I really like your last statement, I have started to really realize how autonomous nursing is. You can ask questions but its best to reserve them unless they are critical.

I can't speak to about everyone but I want to become an NP because I feel I have the skills/ communication/ dedication to really get to know each and every one of my patients conditions/ psychological status and treat them. I don't graduate from my BSN till May but plan to be a RN for at least 2 yrs minimum before I try to go back to get my MSN.

Thank you for your input.

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I'm sorry you've had these experiences. Maybe I'm lucky, but the school I attend could not be more different. True, they are very focused on NCLEX passage rates, esp. after their scores dipped a few years ago. However, they explained to us that the school's very accreditation is tied in part to keeping the NCLEX passage rates at a certain level. Therefore, it's ultimately in everyone's interest (faculty, students, and alumni) that these rates remain high.

The professors I've encountered in my first year of nursing school have been truly outstanding. Most of them have bent over backwards to help us. They answer e-mails efficiently, and have an open-door policy. Two professors in particular have been so above-and-beyond the call of duty. They care so much about student success and have provided so many extra learning opportunities for us to succeed. This is my second degree, and I've never encountered professors who care so much.

Likewise, my clinical instructors have been outstanding. They want us to succeed, and bend over backwards to provide their students with as many meaningful learning opportunities and experiences as possible.

I cannot speak for the actual nursing profession/ environment once I graduate, but thus far, my learning experiences in nursing school have been overwhelmingly positive. Also, the other students in my program have been incredibly collaborative and helpful. We share study guides and study tips, and are always out in the hallway before/ after tests pumping each other up and consoling those who may have not done so well on a particular exam. I guess my response to your post is to attest that not all schools are fostering the negative experiences you have encountered.

On the bright side, perhaps your experience in nursing school has provided you with a more realistic version of what actual nursing is like and will help you on your path towards achieving a NP/ CRNA degree. Perhaps I will be in for a rude awakening once school is over. Either way, just know that not every program is like the one you describe.

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Wow, thats amazing. Do you mind telling me which school you attend. That type of experience is hard to come by from what I have been told.

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I, too, have had the experience of runnung into a few unimpressive instructors and professors in he nursing schools I've attended, but the vast majority were competent, engaged, and supportive of their students. I'm sorry you feel you are having a bad experience, but it's not universal within nursing.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I think nursing instructors feel like they are gatekeepers to the profession. I have seen a rise in the number of graduates recently whose motivation was the stability and compensation of a nursing career. This does not make one a good nurse.

Medical school is not a good example as there are many MD's who can technically do the job, but lack a certain something when it comes to practice. I would not be jealous of praise received just because you can pay tuition.

Whenever I hear of nursing students saying they want to be an NP or CRNA I just smile to myself. Life happens- you might find yourself not wanting that goal after a few years of nursing. Your professors might be telling you not to put the cart before the horse.

Being "unsupportive" might also just be different generations perspectives: I have noticed in social media and life that in general younger people don't seem to want to have any criticism directed at them. I take the criticism and grow from it- either it makes me more sure of my position, or it changes the way I practice (or it tells me someone is taking out their frustrations).

Lastly- you must find the support from within- as a nurse you will sometimes be the only one who sees the big picture: Nursing practice is a philosophy.

Wish I could like this even MORE, especially the last part.

I've had instructors that did not transition to being a quality instructor, however, most of my instructors were very passionate about guiding and shaping students to be competent entry-level nurses, and are passionate about nursing.

If you are going to be in this business it's best to not put the cart in front of the horse-it behooves one to thrive where they're at in order to grow, even if you grow other ways in this profession and beyond.

This is the time for understanding how to think like a nurse and become a competent entry level nurse-and that can be a culture shock as well; take reins in this ride and be objective as possible, it helps. :yes:

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

My own experience in nursing is quite opposite of yours, but I have seen the culture of which you speak. I've stated on here before that there is a local hospital (that pays well, mind you) to which I will not apply, even as a "desperate new grad", because the culture is so poor and unsupportive, and I have heard this from every person I've come across that has or does work there, and I have seen it in my own experiences there (internships and such, prior to nursing school). Nursing culture is SO important to me, and I feel it's part of my role as a new nurse to be the change I want to see in the world (to paraphrase Ghandi). I have been fortunate enough to see nursing environments where people do work together as a team and are supportive of one another and receive their breaks and back each other up. One negative environment does not speak for all environments. The same can be said of nursing schools. I found that my instructors were INCREDIBLY supportive of us (I have several listed as job references, and I keep in touch with them regularly now). When I bombed an exam because I was very ill when I took it (fortunately had already e-mailed the instructor prior to the exam), she offered me extra credit and was willing to work with me some because she could see that I knew the material, but had rushed through the exam. However, she also didn't HAND me a grade improvement (and I was frankly too busy to do the extra credit, and my grade took a hit). Our instructors rode us hard, but it wasn't to humiliate us or to beat us down, it was to ensure we were being safe on the floor and that we knew our stuff. They wanted us to know our resources and to not "fake it 'til you make it," when it risked patient safety. I definitely haven't seen the gender favortism. We had 4 guys in our class of 23 students, and they were treated the same as anyone else.

I haven't seen a lack of support on here, but I have seen doses of reality that were much needed. We're not going to sprinkle fairy dust and tell you you can get into nursing school with a 2.1 GPA or do your homework for you or tell you everything you need to know for the NCLEX. We WILL, however, tell you that you need to do your own research about a program or be realistic about the job market if you try to go straight through for your master's or that you might have to apply for several hundred jobs before ANYTHING pans out. We will tell you if you need an attitude adjustment if classmates are picking on you and we can see from your responses that YOU are the problem. We will tell you if you seem to expect a hand out. THIS is part of our role as nurses. If we justify for our patients why they have diabetes, do we help them? Or do we help them more by telling them they need to start walking more and cutting out the soda? Our job is giving people doses of reality, and if getting that on here is too much, then nursing may not be the right field for someone.

You will see some negativity on a site like this, because people DO come here to complain. They don't come on here to gush about their program or their job and about how they hope nothing ever changes. Few people need a place to vent this. More people need to vent about their frustrations, feeling overwhelmed and unsupported, and just to feel validated that they are not alone. This site is a great place for just this. Some people may be more supportive with this than others, and again, if it's about something that we feel you bring upon yourself, we'll tell you as much.

Now, about demanding respect- I have to say that I don't feel that I DEMAND respect. However, I DO feel that I behave in a manner that I EARN respect, and there IS a difference. I can say, "RESPECT ME!! RESPECT ME!!" until I am blue in the face, or I can back you up when you're overwhelmed with your patients or get you supplies you need or cover a shift for you when you need it, and you'll feel about me how you'll feel about me in return. Part of earning respect is SHOWING it. I have worked with older nurses who are leery of new grads. I got that whole "nurses eat their young" sense about them. That's fine. You know what? I feed off of this. I show them I'm a rock star, AND I show them that I respect their experience and knowledge. I show them that I recognize their value as someone who's been around the block a few times and seen a few things and has a lot to offer. In return, I have earned their respect.

Yes, I do plan to go for my master's, and yes, I talk about it. I don't put a date on it, because I know the reality is, I DON'T know when it'll happen. I DON'T know when I'll have a few years in my desired specialty and feel ready to go back to school. I DON'T know what the job market will look like in 5 years. I DO know my end goal, and I DO know that I need to get experience in order to get there. I have also learned through life experience that trying to plan too much will bite you in the butt. Life makes its own plans, and seems to get a kick out of changing yours. Know what you plan to do, but be flexible with reality. Being amenable to change and to life's impact on your plans will serve you well. Don't be offended when people try to remind you of this.

Ultimately, you need to be an example of what you want to see. Be someone you'd want to work with. Surround yourself with positivity, and refuse to get sucked into the negativity.

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@RunBabyRN

Wow so true, thank you for your post! this really helped put things into perspective!

Most of the time I do try to look at things positivity and do focus on what I have been given thats good. So far in nursing school it really has not been much. I have probably have had two professors, and I only have about two semesters left, that I can say cared and supported me if needed. Heck, one helped me get through a mental breakdown personally my first semester when I was a mess. (doing so much better now).

I do believe I do my best to respect my professors, peers and myself. Most clinical professors actually call upon me to me the leader of the group or get together a thank note for the units we are on. Most end up telling me how shocked they are by my progress. I tend to come across as quiet until I am acclimated to my environment.

I just wish I had really considered where I was going to take my BSN before I jumped into this program because I would not recommend it to anyone and every other nursing student that is in it with me agrees. I am really glad that the entire nursing profession isn't like this. I am willing to accept the challenges of a new graduate nurse that I hear of (huge learning curve) and I really hope it's in a good environment because like you said there is a different culture of nursing in between hospitals which is very apparent.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

That lack-of-support-feeling does not stop after nursing school. All hospitals, even the very supportive one I am at right now, you will at times see negativity from doctors, patients, and unfortunately other nurses. It is the nature of a high stressed job, sometimes people take things out on other people. Nursing school is not meant to be easy or lenient, and I hope for the sake of safety that it never will be. Most people you meet are going to be unhappy, negative, and discouraging no matter what However, you will meet a few people that will be happy no matter what. Whether they be teachers, other students, or nurses you see in your clinical, strive to hang around those happy people as much as possible. Learn from them and figure out what they do that makes them special. It is not the amount of support they receive. It is the attitude they possess, the positivity they exude, and 'the person within' that supports them through those rough days. Bottom line is: don't go into nursing to receive a pat on the back from teachers for choosing an honorable profession. Give yourself a pat once after you graduate then move on to figuring out why this is an honorable profession and how you can be that person that's happy no matter what.

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I didnt get into nursing for apprasial. I do not need that. I have always been self-dependent. My main issue is how my BSN program is legit impossible and no one can understand this, only those who go to my program. I am not one to complain. Just recently popped in anger because I have worked hard throughout my undergrad career to maintain a high GPA and see it crumbling to pieces every semester for reasons stated above. I can see how some people just expect As but do nothing. but trust me when I say I am not a passive student. I try to teach my self everything because my school definitely does not teach me anything. I am not exaggerating but again you won't know unless you went to this same program.

I worked two jobs in my undergrad (about 35 hours/ week) and still maintained a GPA higher than a 3.7. My GPA now is still above a 3.5 while taking over 15 credits each semester and still working. I work damn hard for that.

Just needed some place to vent my words because I have no one to do that with in real life/ do not even vent my negative thoughts like this often.

/endrant

Please do not get me wrong. I do not think of myself better than anyone. Practically the opposite. Just justifying if anyone thinks I am just whining/ not a good student/ in this just for the money/ self- titled.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Oh, I know your just venting, and you came to a good place to do that. I know nursing school is very shocking to a straight A student. The rest of the world does not understand that they don't just hand out A's like some liberal arts program. And I know what it is like to know in your heart you deserve an A but got a B. How discouraging that is and how much it hurts your GPA. Which, is sometimes the topic of conversation with relatives. I will never forget a conversation I had with my dad-in-law: "So how did you do with grades this semester?" He asked. I ecstatically replied, "I passed!" He said, "You passed....hmm."

But my only point is to remember that years down the road, when you've wiped two thousand butts, you've had the 100th phone call with an MD trying to justify why you had the nerve to page them, and you've patted the 50th shoulder of the loved one crying because they are loosing dear mom, your GPA right now will not mean a thing. All I'm saying is nursing is more than numbers. It's great that you are watching it because I have no doubt that you will graduate and pass the NCLEX, but when you get out there into the hard, harsh world of picky managers, demanding patients, and pompous physicians, you need to work on the resilience-of-self: The nurse inside that will make you keep going and support you when it feels like no one else is.

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