Why do they have to be soooo condescending ! Vent

[HikingNinja]

I'm 34 yrs old and have wanted to be a nurse for years. It's taken me three years just to complete my prerequisites. I've worked really hard and I finally got in for Fall 07. After all of this hard work I'm finally on the verge of doing what I want with my life and I keep encountering these killjoys. They make all sorts of condescending comments "so you're going to wipe butts now are you?...ha ha.....and (with a pat on my shoulder) oh now why would you want to take a step down in your career?......and my personal favorite ....but how can you make a living if you are just a nurse......

Right now I have a professional position that has a nice title but no pay whatsoever and very little respect. And that's with a master's degree. I work like a dog 60+ hours every week. It's in social services. As an RN I will be able to work three 12 hour shifts a week if I want to and make alot more than I make now. And not get calls at home all the time when I have a few days off. I've tried to explain the benefits of a career change to nursing with many of these people and it's just like they don't hear me. It's really frustrating at times. I mean really, why do these people have to put this profession down so much. It's rude, ignorant, and condescending. Can't they just get a life and simply say nice job, hope you are happy. Sorry. I just needed to vent. Thanks

Dee

[kasia2]

People who say those things don't understand what nursing is all about, only what it used to be..........DECADES ago! My brother once made a comment when I was in school that he didn't understand why I was working so hard to "be a bedpan pusher." He had the chance to see me in action once when he came by the ER to say Hi, and those few minutes changed his mind about what nurses do.

People don't understand all the knowledge we have to have, until they need our help. Hand one of those guys a nursing textbook and watch his face when he looks inside.

I think this is a very good comment. People just simply dont understand the role of nurse and what it takes to be one...it all goes back to stereotypical thinking from way back It will take some time for people to change their mentality about nursing.

[CityKat, BSN, RN]

Someone always has something to say about something. Ignore people and carry on. Being a nurse is something to be proud of. Nursing school is tougher than most programs out in the educational world today for undergraduate. I cannot speak for graduate, but I would bet the same holds true there. People have no idea how strenuous and taxing nursing can be on someones emotions and physical wellbeing. They think this and that because it's what they hear or think. But really, they don't know. Be proud of becoming a nurse:) It's a profession that deep down, all people look up too, regardless if they tell you right away!

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Please, let's not bring in the Diploma, ADN, BSN topic. That's for another thread in another forum.

Thanks.

[HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Thanks everyone for all your support. It's true as a mental health professional I encounter opposition from clients and other staff on a daily basis that I need to process and deal with in a calm and professional manner. But I'm only human. And every so often these comments about my future plans do rub me the wrong way. My way of dealing with this when it happens is to reach out to you guys, and others who understand and vent a bit....blow off some steam. The support I get back is invaluable and helps me get my attitude straight again. Thanks again for all your supportive comments.

Dee

[Jedi of Zen]

Next time they make a comment about your supposed drop in pay or career goals, I would just look at them and say something like "Wow...you obviously know next to nothing about the medical field".

Of course sounds like that's already what you're telling them but yeah. I would just brush them off.

[misserella8036]

I learned the hard way to keep negative people out of my life. Most of the time they are just miserable in their own lives. You will be saving lives for a living. Making a real difference. How many of them can say that? Be proud of yourself!