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.
To have sacrificed one's life means one is dead. If a live person is walking around wearing such a t-shirt s/he is being ridiculous. And insulting to all those who actually have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
First, I don't wear those t-shirts, but for those who do, I'm glad they take pride in what they do.
Second, why does it bother you so much that they do? Aren't you assuming an awful lot about that person? As a previous poster noted, it could have been a gift or they could have thought it was funny.
Last, does that mean you also feel that way about vets, EMS, firefighter, police, etc wearing shirts that say basically the same thing? What about t-shirts of people who like to knit? Are proud grandparents? Like sports?
I'm sorry. A lot of posters who I truly love on AN have agreed with you but I just can't agree with the majority on this one. If that person is so happy with their life choice that they want to wear it, let them. It doesn't affect your life at all.
Hmmm, I think I'll get myself a t-shirt made that says, "I sacrificed my life so you could have a handknit sweater." 'Cause, y'know, it takes a lot of time and effort to knit a sweater. Sure, I do it voluntarily and enjoy doing it, but, still ... :)
But seriously, my objection to these kinds of shirts and slogans is that, as someone else already mentioned, I'm afraid people might start to think we (nurses) all think that way, which makes me cringe a little.
I don't wear any nurse-related gear, and I do nothing to advertise to the general public that I'm a nurse outside of work. I do have one t-shirt that was a gift from a friend that the area ENA chapter had made, with a cute cartoon on it about defibrillating someone in the field, but it says nothing on it about nursing other than the local ENA chapter logo.
I thought I hated nursing and I was making a sacrifice. Turns out I hated the administration at various former employers. I love my job now. There is no sacrifice on my part. Sometimes I wonder what other occupation I could possibly take up. Aside from bacon critic (and I would expect to be paid at least 20k for that) there is nothing.
I'm up there on self actualization on Maslows hierarchy.
I hear you, I love my job, can not stand the administrative BS , the ego's that go with it. Thankfully I do home care, hospital and nursing home visits, so once I get my daily assignments, I am out the door and on my own for most of the day---love that part.
But seriously, my objection to these kinds of shirts and slogans is that, as someone else already mentioned, I'm afraid people might start to think we (nurses) all think that way, which makes me cringe a little.
Yep, exactly, shirts like that send messages that some could perceive ALL NURSES think that way. It's not a positive for nurses in general.
Cheers to you!!! Could not have said it better myself. I also notice that certain specialties of nursing have to qualify themselves. How many times have you heard " I have been a ICU or ER nurse for x amount of years." NOBODY cares but yourself!!! I have been a RN for 23ys and have done a bit of everything and not one specialty has made me more special than another. I have found that 5-10, yes 10 on nights, not so critical patients can be as taxing as 2 critical patients. Just different priorities.
I do own a few shirts that have funny sayings on them like " I am here to save your ass, not kiss it" or " feel safe, sleep with a nurse." things like that but never something like I " sacrificed myself" because I didn't....I am a nurse and I am proud of that but I don't put myself on a pedestal. Also, I never wear my t-shirts to work, only around the house or a quick trip to the store :)
I almost got the "Yes, I'm a nurse, no, I don't want to see it" shirt, but I do. I do want to see it. I just don't want you to ask for medical advice about it.
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TriciaJ, RN
4,328 Posts
To have sacrificed one's life means one is dead. If a live person is walking around wearing such a t-shirt s/he is being ridiculous. And insulting to all those who actually have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.