Are you ashamed of being a nurse?

All4Seasons · Nov 14, 2004

Hi everyone. Please respond and offer feedback on whether you are ashamed of or embarrassed about being a nurse; becoming a nurse; or considering nursing as a career. If you are ashamed or embarrassed, why? If not, why not?

Interesting question. To me,there is not a MORE honourable or altruistic calling/profession/job/career than the care that nurses give to their fellow human beings. It's as simple as that...NOTHING can erode that essence of caring. Not unhappy coworkers,not stressed out,bitter nurse managers and charge nurses,not profit-driven administration. They can make our job more DIFFICULT - at times,MUCH more difficult. AND I won't deny,these factors may even make it impossible for some of us to continue our work. That IS sad but it's also realistic-sometimes we can't give anymore. And so it's important to listen to ourselves and do what is best for ourselves and our loved ones.

My point is that the negatives we encounter in our day-to-day practise can't and never WILL alter the fact that the nursing care of the sick,the injured,the newly-born,the emotionally distressed,etc is essential,worthwhile,dignified,and meaningful work. We must be very careful not to translate what we see as mundane about our job as meaning that our ROLE is unimportant. Never once as I,for example, cleansed someone who had been incontinent,have I found myself thinking that this 'lowly' chore reflected my worth as a nurse. It's just,realistically, PART of all that I can do to support/help this person in this particular phase of their life-whether it's a temporary rough patch,or whether it's the end of their journey.What it DOES say is that 'someone is caring for/about you'. I truly believe that nurses DO make a difference in the lives of many people - every single day. Often patients and,especially,families, are overwhelmed with gratitude for the true caring,warmth,kindness,thoughtfulnes,and expertise that they see nurses show in their delivery of care.And there are some who may not even think to,or be able to express it,for many reasons.

What SHOULD sustain us is our core belief that what we do as nurses MATTERS; AND that, as grandiose as it sounds, society would be drastically altered if there weren't those of us who are fulfilled in caring for the sick- it is THAT important and that simple...

I believe that nurses are truly special people.

thilagum · May 1, 2006

I am a nurse since 1980, its now become a science of nursing not the art of nursing..still proud of nursing, lets do our job with a keen sense of pride, do it once do it properly. Lets continue to coach our fellow staff to thrive and reach their potential.:heartbeat

AMINI'SNURSE · May 1, 2006

yes i proud to be a nurse...i think im overwork and i go home very tried, but i can't think of anything else i like to do..thanks:rolleyes:

whoamiRN · May 2, 2006

I might not always be happy, but am ALWAYS proud.

JessicRN · May 3, 2006

Took one year off nursing 15 years ago because too much stress in my life. Although I was very busy travelling to new countries with my husband I could not believe how I missed nursing. Came back to nursing and have never regretted it. Nursing is not what you do but who you are I think.

dissatisfied_nurse · Jun 30, 2008

Absolutely ashamed to be a nurse...major lack of professionalism. Hate to be associated with some/most of the people in our profession. Seems to be a lack of ethic and class. So sad to say this.

coffeelover73 · Jul 1, 2008

I am soo proud to be nurse. When ever someone asks me what do u do I say I am a nurse and they always say oh you must be a good person. That is so great to hear

i am very proud to say that i am a NURSE....there is nothing to be ashamed of!!!!

k00r8t53w · Jan 19, 2012

Hi everyone. Please respond and offer feedback on whether you are ashamed of or embarrassed about being a nurse; becoming a nurse; or considering nursing as a career. If you are ashamed or embarrassed, why? If not, why not?

Am I ashamed to be a nurse? Only when I breathe. I thought I was joining a professional and intellectually challenging field. I was wrong.

Piglet08 · Jan 24, 2012

I find the question offensive.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Feb 1, 2012

I am very proud of what I do. I just don't always go parading around to everyone that I am RN so I don't get bombarded with their health questions :rolleyes:

caliotter3 · Feb 16, 2012

Found it difficult to be proud when I was living in my car. Find it difficult when my client's mother reminds me to change her child's diaper when she has left the child in a soaking diaper all morning. After all, the only reason I am there is to change diapers you know, and I do such a poor job of it that I have to be reminded. I went to college for this.