Are nurses blue or white collar workers?

Are nurses considered blue collar or white collar workers? My co-workers and I were having this conversation and there was no consensus.

[ebear, BSN, RN]

Blue collar with white trim.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

To BlueDevil- The definition of a paraprofessional is someone who assists a professional but doesn't have a professional license themselves. I both do not assist anyone and have a license, in fact, I even work with nurse's aids who assist me. Therefore, I am a professional. A paraprofessional would be like a CNA, classroom aid, or a dental assistant.

[grownuprosie]

For those voting, can you explain *your* definition of Blue collar and White collar?

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

I get paid by the hour, and wear my name on my shirt (or badge, anyway). I clean up nasty, nasty things. I work nights, weekends and holidays. I am a blue-collar worker. And I have no issue with that label. I don't consider what I do a "profession" I consider it a "skilled-trade" and I am finally feeling like a journeyman (or journeywoman, I suppose).

I wouldn't say that ALL nurses are blue-collar though. Professors, manglement, researchers, etc. I would say are white-collar.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I am a professional. Professional equals the white collar definition.

Sometimes, my duties may not SEEM professional...

but I have a college degree, I am licensed and credentialed.

DON'T lump me in with maintenance and housekeeping!

[RoyalPrince]

the state of _____ has licensed

---as a professional registered nurse

active____ expires _____

hence, we are white collar. dont give in to the blue collar theories. we have a degree specifically preparing for this profession and one can only enter it after having said degree and utilize it during everyday "work"

not all blue collar jobs require degrees. not all blue collar jobs have entry level requirements.

[digitiminimi]

I thought, if anything, nursing would be categorized as white collar. I just don't see a profession that has the education requirements, knowledge-level, responsibility, and licensure that we have to be blue collar. But I never looked up the actual dictionary definition. I guess the terms blue and white collar just aren't as relevant in modern times.

[ChrisSharpe]

No color collar is fit to describe what nurses do :)

[LuvScience]

My sociology book calls nursing a white collar profession but I definitely feel like a blue collar worker.

[Aurora77]

My non-official thought is that blue collar workers are paid by the hour, while white collar are salaried. Hence, most nurses are blue collar in my eyes. There's also the education factor--I don't see how a one year or two year degree can be on the same level as a bachelor's or beyond. If the HVAC and automotive students at my school had the same number of years in education, and they're considered blue collar workers, why wouldn't we nurses be blue collar as well?

But then, I don't buy into the caste system that seems to have developed in the U.S. lately that puts white collar workers above blue collar. Without the blue collar trades, our society would be in a world of hurt. Thus, I am a very proud blue collar bedside nurse.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

I honestly don't have a strong opinion either way, but I have to say that this site has just provided me a new favorite word...manglement. Move over, fomite!

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Name any white-collar professional that punches a time clock.