Why are people so ignorant?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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There is a friend of mine that's always making smart comments about nurses and nurse aide's, and I noticed it started after I told her I wanted to be a nurse. She'll say things like "why would anybody want to be a nurse? I'm not wiping anyone's butt except my own." O_O she also talks down on community college because she goes to a four year university. I find these things very offensive. I don't say negative things about her major, even though I think its dumb. I know how to keep my mouth closed, I never try to put others down. Has anyone else experienced this?

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I have!! My situation is really similar to yours!

I have a friend who constantly would say things like that to me all the time! She would make fun of my job as a CNA and it would make me so mad!!! I finally told her off and she thankfully stopped; at least for a little bit.

After telling her off about that.. She moved onto making fun of my school! She would put down the community college I went to because she was going to go to Bolder in Colorado..Turns out she never went and actually had to go to the community college I was at. She ended up flunking out and doesn't go to college at all anymore!

Karma's a ***** : )

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My mom told me once that I shouldn't become a nurse because, "it becomes your life". Well, duh, that's what a career is, lol! I never let her comment bother me, because she was the one that told me growing up that I can be anything I want to be.

You already know that it takes a special kind of person to want to take care of other people, in all of their "glory" (ie: wiping their butts, cleaning up their urine, etc), and someday, your "friend" may be in a position to rely on a nurse to take care of her, and will be thankful for nurses like you that are willing to wipe butts besides their own.

I'm sorry that she's not supporting you and what you want to become the way a friend should :nono:. But, kudos to you for not turning the other cheek, even though it would probably feel really good to let her have it. And, graduating or attending community college doesn't bar you from ever attending or obtaining a bachelor's degree at another institution, it just means you're being frugal with your resources, and not overpaying for classes offered at both institutions.

Keep your chin up, and if she continues to try to make you feel bad about yourself, let her know that her words are hurtful. If she can't understand that, you may want to re-evaluate your friendship.

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I have always found jealousy and insecurity are under these snide comments. You are working for a very tangible goal that will enable you to be out on your own in less time than her schooling. It is goal directed and you stand as one who has a purpose.

These things are difficult for 4 year students who do not have a real direction in their lives. They hope that college will help them find themselves. it is a real kick in the pants to have a friend who already has that. Jealous and insecure people tend to lash out in ugly ways.

You can confront her and tell her that her comments are hurtful and show her lack of understanding of what a nurse does. You can shorten your time with her and focus on making new friendships with those fellow students with whom you have common ground. You can continue to subject yourself to the same verbal injuries.

It is in your court.

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I think it comes down to one thing... jealousy. I would question if this person is truely a friend, becuase a friend would support you NO MATTER WHAT!

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A few people told me that (one of them being a pre-med student). "Why don't you just become a doctor? All nurses do is bathe people." -_-

As for your friend, what is her major? You don't need to badmouth her major, but you could tell her that nursing is a ton of work and even much harder than hers. Once you get into nursing school, show her your books and all that you have to know. Nurses clearly don't take all of the difficult classes and memorize a ton of stuff just to 'wipe someone's butt.'

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As the saying goes...haters gonna hate.

But seriously, people who feel a need to put others down to uplift their own choices and life are insecure people. We've all dealt with someone like that. It doesn't even need to be nursing related.

If this is a person you want to maintain a friendship with, I would talk to her and let her know that she's made her opinion known but that this is the path you've chosen for yourself. You are no longer interested in her demoralizing comments about your goals. If she can't hang with that, well, I can't see her sticking around much longer with her negative vibes anyway.

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Maybe she secretly wants to be a nurse but just didn't have the kahunas to go for it!!! It takes ALOT OF HARDWORK AND BRAINS to become a nurse. She's probably jealous that you have the drive to go for it and your actually going to have a career that will make a difference in this world. Don't worry about it. It takes special people to become nurses. You are making an awesome decision. :nurse:

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Hi there ...

When I started my pre-req for nursing my " friends" kept telling me that I wouldn't make it bc it's very hard( and it was a hard journey) and wouldn't b accepted to a nursing program. These people were also telling me that they applied 3 times and never got accepted.

WELL , I am very proud to say that I'm accepted to school of nursing - RN (first attempt) at a community college! :)

I think the reason people say things like this is not just jealousy but they probably did not have the grades and failed! Me on the other hand am a A/B+ student on deans list and honors.

When I told my " friends" ( who stop communicating with me after I was advancing through classes) about being accepted I didn't get so much as a congrats. But you kno what I realized that this weened out the people that are not worth the negative attitude. I met many great ppl who I am now good friends with who are also in the nursing program. And that is where you learn who your real friends are. They work as hard as you to become a successful nurse and thrive to help each other.

Don't let others discourage you in ANY way! You know where you want to be and all you need truly is yourself to root you on;)

You will always hear the negatives about goals you set out for... Don't let a no body who will never be anybody tell you shouldn't.

GoodLuck!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Doesn't sound like a friend to me.

I'd recommend finding new friends.

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

quite often when someone makes such an ignorant just plain dumb remark, it's because they're very very

insecure despite how they appear to be otherwise. how someone seems to be outwardly is sometimes no indication of who they really are down deep.

sometimes, the best revenge is to mentally tell that person to "go to ..." then forget all about it. as my mom

used to say sometimes, "don't ever let someone who's bugging you rent space in your head because it will end

up driving you nuts eventually!" pretty good advice!

once you graduate, pass the nclex, get a job, and begin working, guess what? no one much will care where you

went to nursing school. honest.

oh, if you apply for grad school or for a research grant, then yes, they'll ask you but having gone to a community

college won't disqualify you or even be a ding.

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Specializes in Inpatient Obstetrics.

Yes I have certainly experience that about two days ago from my barely 18 year old cousin...of course she is going to be ignorant.. She thinks they all just wipe butts day and night!! I don't care much for her opinion but I know it can get on peoples nerves

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