Am I the only one?

[ERGirl83]

I hear this all the time, and the "remember when post," brought it up again, that nurses get "no respect," and becoming a nurse is seen as less than other professions, etc. But, I have NEVER experienced this. Around here, getting into nursing school means long waiting lists, high GPA's (higher than for many med schools), and dedication, and actually becoming an RN is VERY highly respected/regarded. Am I the only one who lives in an area where nursing is a respected, and even envied profession? Who doesn't experience this incredible disrespect and disdain for the profession? I'm planning on attending med school after nursing school, and even the physicians that I shadow exhort me to just stay a nurse and not bother with med school because of all the politics/loans/shrinking reimbursement, etc. I just don't experience the lack of respect for nurses and wonder if I'm the only one.

[Jules A, MSN]

In my facility nurses are highly regarded and our Docs are very interested in our input. I'm proud to be a nurse. :)

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I am highly respected because of my profession. I've very rarely felt anything but respect. The doctors I work with are generally very respectful as well.

[ilstu99]

No, you aren't the only one. I feel respected and valued as a part of my patient's healthcare team. Our docs are quick to react to our suggestions, and ask for our input regularly. They round 2X per shift on each patient, and always speak with us about trends/changes in our patient's health. I also have a great deal of leeway in suggesting meds/orders/tests that can be discontinued or started, and they are quick to give credit where it's due. I feel respected by my community, and enjoy people asking me what it takes to become a nurse, or about my job.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Just remember, the gripes you hear about "no respect" reflect posters' day-in-day-out grind of actually working as a nurse ... not the distanced view of students, physicians, instructors, etc.

I believe most of the physicians I work with daily respect me. A majority of patients/visitors/coworkers are also respectful.

But there are those days when being Rodney Dangerfield would be a step up. :scrm:

[Butterfliesnroses]

This is from an nurses aides point of view...In the LTC facility where I work nurses are respected very much! I do here some complain about dealing with this or that doctor. It's very rare for a doctor to come to the facility. The few that will come are SO nice. One doctor has even asked my opinion! Which is SO surprising...I feel as an aide I'm looked down upon sometimes. I once told a nurse a resident was in pain and was told I don't know the signs and symptoms of pain because I'm jus an aide...I'll even catch myself talking and say I'm just an aide...However, I'm not a nurse (yet) so until I do then I don't know because I'm sure there are time they do feel disrespected.

[Miss Mab]

I hear this all the time, and the "remember when post," brought it up again, that nurses get "no respect," and becoming a nurse is seen as less than other professions, etc. But, I have NEVER experienced this.

I'm planning on attending med school after nursing school, and even the physicians that I shadow exhort me to just stay a nurse and not bother with med school because of all the politics/loans/shrinking reimbursement, etc. I just don't experience the lack of respect for nurses and wonder if I'm the only one.

Well, if even the physicians say you should just stay a nurse then I could understand why you would wonder if you're the only one.

I mean, NEVER having experienced a lack of respect shown toward nurses or even the field of nursing as a whole.

Students, docs, yeah sometimes it's pretty constant.

:zzzzz