I have been a RN for 11 years now, have seen much as many of you have. One thing that continues to irk me are nurses that think because they are a nurse are somehow a cross between Florence Nightingale and Jesus--and act like it. You know, "super nurse syndrome"
I was at my local gym and saw the a T shirt that said:
I sacrificed my life, so I could save your life. I am a nurse.
Really? You sacrificed your life to be a nurse? WOW, I never realized that going to nursing school and getting a job involved life sacrifice.( like so many 100.000's people that go to college to get jobs).
GET OVER IT ALREADY, your a nurse, your not mother Theresa, you don't walk on water and you DID NOT sacrifice your life to become a nurse.
Nursing school and how hard it is, another thing that people want to whine/brag about I get tired of hearing about. Really? I'll bet becoming a chemical engineer is very hard, I'll be learning computer coding is very hard, in fact I'll bet most any college degree--they just don't hand them out for showing up. You have to work for them and earn them---just like nursing school.
What I am saying is being a nurse does not somehow set you apart from the rest of the world, or make you a better person---just because your a nurse.
Doing your job, being courteous to patients AND coworkers AND people in general is what we and everyone else on the planet should be doing----we are all members of the human family.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
I totally agree that the tee shirt you saw was absurd. However, the one thing that, in my humble opinion, separates nursing from other professions is that we are responsible for saving lives and keeping people alive. I work nights in a teaching hospital so I know firsthand how often we prevent harm from coming to patients' at the hands of an inexperienced intern or resident. Another important factor is that, again in my humble opinion, no other profession has to deal with the level of disrespect and expectation to accept the verbal, sometimes physical, abuse that we take.
No other profession has to deal with disrespect and abuse? It seems to be open season on police lately.
"I'm better than you, I'm sacrificing everything for you" and truthfully it's revolting. The key to doing selfless acts is being humble, when you start throwing those "selfless acts" into people's faces you simply become an attention seeker and there is nothing honorable or selfless about that
Yes I agree totally, that is what I find revolting about a shirt like that. It sends exact message as you stated. Just another "look at me, I'm so great and such a giver, hold me in AWE" person in the nursing profession. WE HAVE ENOUGH OF THOSE TYPES ALREADY.
so what "truth" am I missing, enlighten me please.
Guys, just don't engage. Text speak and incorrect spelling from the poster in question should tell you a lot right there. You know you're awesome nurses; I learn a lot from you guys. Let the troll go.
"sorry u got offended but the truth us the hardest to hear."
You're not a nurse. You're not even a nursing student. You have no idea what you are talking about. Truth??? What truth about nursing can you possibly have for us ACTUAL nurses/nursing students? We're all waiting...
I totally agree that the tee shirt you saw was absurd. However, the one thing that, in my humble opinion, separates nursing from other professions is that we are responsible for saving lives and keeping people alive. I work nights in a teaching hospital so I know firsthand how often we prevent harm from coming to patients' at the hands of an inexperienced intern or resident. Another important factor is that, again in my humble opinion, no other profession has to deal with the level of disrespect and expectation to accept the verbal, sometimes physical, abuse that we take.
No other profession has to deal with disrespect and abuse? It seems to be open season on police lately.
Public school teachers might also make a good argument that they are often abused and disrespected.
I am a large bag... of Frito-Lay's with onion dip. I have worked my tuchas off and saved a few lives.
I would never toot my own horn with a shirt like that. My nurse shirt reads " Nurses Make It Better".
this! I like nursing shirts like this. It does take a very special person to be a nurse. It is okay to express that. But the shirt example in the original post is a bit obnoxious lol. I like funny nurse shirts, and ones that are true but not over the top. My dad got me one that said, "nurses make a difference" and one for him that says, "proud father of an awesome nurse" those I like! Simple, true, not too much.
i think nurses do sacrafice their health, and a lot of things. But a lot of nurses are also selfless and giving. Selfless and giving people don't wear shirts that say, "I sacrificed my life!" Lol
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TriciaJ, RN
4,328 Posts
No other profession has to deal with disrespect and abuse? It seems to be open season on police lately.