I'm tired of hearing this phrase.....

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hey everybody, I just want to vent. Maybe I should, maybe I shouldn't but here it is anyways. I've been a pre-nursing student since Fall 2012. And maybe you can relate, that we have told family, friends, co-workers, people from our past etc... that we are pursuing nursing, 99 percent of the time I hear "Oh yeah! You're going make some good money. or keep on moving up the ladder that's how you get the big bucks" Not "That's a good career choice, or Wow, you will be helping to save people lives, how wonderful. Now, I take all of it as them wishing me well but I am not pursuing nursing for the money. There are many other careers where I can make more money and some of the jobs don't even need a college education. I try to just tell people now that I'm a student and hope they don't ask me what I am taking, but it usually don't work. I am honored and blessed to be on this journey and I guess I wish they knew and could feel the true passion I have of this career. That's all. Bye!

Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I hear that now and it always startles me. I went into nursing because of my interests before the salaries increased. The phrase "just a nurse" was common. Now when I tell people I am a nurse they say "you must make a lot of money."

I think it is the economy. Everyone focusing on money. If people are interested I talk about the work..

I'm applying to nursing school now and my father in law said, "So, you don't want to become a doctor?"*Why in the **** would I want to become a doctor when I can become a nurse? I cant stand it when people say things like to me, as if becoming a nurse isn't good enough. It's better than "good enough", it is my dream.

Aw, you're going to be hearing that for the rest of your career, get used to it :)

There are those who don't know that we're at the opposite end of a nursing shortage, that there's a shortage of nursing JOBS....they will still tell you how "easy" it is to get a job, and if you are having difficulty, what's "wrong" with you?

There are those who don't understand what a nursing program entails, or the testing/licensing requirements, and so will say ignorant things that will likely irritate.....eventually, you'll learn to smile and say "thanks" and keep moving.

When I was a new nurse, I had a patient's bedside visitor look at my nametag, see RN, and ask me if I was planning to continue my education to become an LPN. Ummm.....I smiled, told her I was "good" where I was, and that I'd be back to check on Patient X later. :cyclops:

Sometimes, a smile and keeping moving is the best way to deal with it all!

Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

I'm glad I don't get that. A lot of my friends and family are nurses, so they get it. Though I do sometimes get "You'll make a lot MORE money" by people who know what I make now.

This is the same point I'm trying to make when I tell people I want to pursue nursing. I expect a "wow thats great you're helping" response but all I get is "you will be rich!". I initially wanted to be a doctor, but I needed to go to another path to help my family and maybe pursue medicine in the future. Everyone has their reasons for going into nursing. I am a male pre-nursing student, which coincidentally fits the stereotype for my ethnicity. I get frustrated when I think about it.

I agree with you. Every time I tell someone that I'm going to school to become a nurse they mention how well they get paid. But to be honest while it wasn't the reason that I wanted to go into nursing, it is reassuring to know that I will be able to be independent and care for my son on my salary alone (once I finally get out of school). But like you I'm not excited about the money, actually taking care of people is what excites me. And I really want to work at a children's hospital so helping make a sick kid's day and taking care of them is what really pushes me to be successful.

I'm applying to nursing school now and my father in law said, "So, you don't want to become a doctor?"*Why in the **** would I want to become a doctor when I can become a nurse? I cant stand it when people say things like to me, as if becoming a nurse isn't good enough. It's better than "good enough", it is my dream.

I get this...a lot. I've just stopped discussing my goals with the naysayers. It's much better th a t way.

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