Emotional Stress - "You're a what?!"

If this post is more suitable for the Male Nursing forum, please move it there.

Lately here, I have just been some overwhelmed with all of the negative comments I have been receiving as a male nurse. Not from patients, but from "friends" and even some controversy with family.

I don't understand what people think is so horrible and disgusting about being in a career with a drive to help people and improve their lives. When people look at me and ask me what I do, I respond and either get a shocked reaction or they'll simply say "Oh... why would you want to do that?" or something along the lines - and my most recent favorite "you're a what?!".

It's very hard when I get comments like these to keep my mindset that I enjoy helping patients and that the distress is worth it. Especially when coming from other males that work in construction or a related field, they think it's wretched. Ok, when your saw slips and chops your mits off and I end up seeing you in the ER, I wonder if you'll still think the same way. I mean come on!! What is wrong with some people?! Treating health care workers just so disrespectfully, only to receive the respect we deserve when they need help (and in some cases, not even then).

I'm not saying that we are above the general public or DESERVE more respect, but just common courtesy and just if people would look at what we do in such a way that if it was not for us, they would not be on this earth, family members would not be alive, and some things they take for granted would not be the way it is. It takes every bit of energy I have some days to just walk away and smile, opposed to snapping and stomping on things (not literally just... ugh!).

Just a bit of a vent I guess. I'd love to hear about others and what they have to say. I guess it comes with the job. I must say though, I do love what I do... the majority of the time. :P