Members are discussing whether nursing should be classified as a blue collar, pink collar, or white collar profession. Some argue that nursing has evolved into a white collar profession due to the increased responsibilities and critical thinking skills required. Others focus on the distinction between a job and a career, with some members emphasizing the importance of education and dedication in determining one's professional status. Overall, there is a mix of opinions on how nursing should be categorized and what factors define a profession.
Are nurses considered blue collar or white collar workers? My co-workers and I were having this conversation and there was no consensus.
grownuprosie said:For those voting, can you explain *your* definition of Blue collar and White collar?
'white-collar' characteristics:
-six-figure income, or very close to it
-high degree of autonomy and independence (if working for a company/organization), or self-employment
-prospective employers might inquire into your management of your personal finances, but would never dream of asking you to pee into a cup with the door open and all the dignity of a farm animal
-dress code is unwritten and implicitly understood, and never consists of a uniform (the closest thing to a uniform would be a MD's lab coat)
-job description does not include manual labor
-your time is not counted by the minute; no clocking in/out, specified break times, etc. you're evaluated/compensated on the actual work completed, rather than the amount of time you spend working.
BLUE--- albeit one of the most highly regarded in the blue category.
BlueDevil,DNP said:Nurses are blue collar paraprofessionals. White collar = professionals.
Sooo, we're baby blue collar!
Nursing has come too broad where it has become both...there are some positions that are more "blue collar", some that are "white collar"; I've done both-and enjoyed both aspects immensely.
Hehe Nola, baby blue. :)
White--we're considered professional vs. trade. We conduct research and have journals. We can be sued for malpractice.
Blue--we clean up poop.
A majority of white collar people I've encountered in my life (cubicle workers) had jobs with very low pay. Nursing, while it has certain elements of a blue collar profession, at least is relatively well paying compared to the rest of the country. During my white collar years (I had a cubicle job too!!) the pay was depressingly low, my standard of living was low, and wearing a spotless white shirt & a tie did not help me feel better about the situation.
depends on which scrub top I'm wearing ;-)
Sometimes I'm red-collar too!
When nurses get a graduate-level degree that is when they become white collar.
Nurses without a graduate degree are basically told what to do. I am primarily referring to bedside nurses. They "take orders." Bedside nurses for the most part cleanup nasty things, are treated badly by management and each other, have the highest rate of bullying outside of the military, work long, excruciating hours for little pay, rarely get a say in management decisions that directly affect them, are forced to work overtime, wear a uniform - and I'm not talking about a lab coat which physicians wear. That's not a uniform. Often, you can't distinguish nurses from housekeepers.
Bedside nursing is not a creative profession. In fact, stepping outside of the box - any box - is more often than not frowned upon and very much discouraged.
Nursing organizations and other entities keep trying to push the notion that direct patient care nurses are professionals. It hasn't stuck and it won't as long as the slave-like conditions they work under remain; the incredible disrespect they tolerate - and often accept as normal continues, and they refuse to stop fighting amongst themselves like packs of vicious hyenas.
blondy2061h, MSN, RN
1 Article; 4,094 Posts
There are ways to advance your career besides putting in hours. I've done it by getting a master's degree, precepting new nurses, being involved on committees, volunteering for hospital events, and becoming certified for my specialty.