Are nurses blue or white collar workers?

What Members Are Saying (AI-Generated Summary)

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.

Specializes in Oncology.
thinker55 said:
This is a fascinating topic. Regardless of the indicators you've mentioned that would tell you if nurses are blue, white, pink or grey collared, there is another way I think about it. Would appreciate your comments. The salaried vs hourly conversation is interesting. What I find equally compelling is whether nursing is a "job" vs "career". And allow me for this discussion to limit the conversation to nurses with a minimum of BSN education.

If a hospital defines a position "full-time" as 37.5 hours or 36 hours or 40 hours or whatever, how many hours in a week do you work? White collar professionals (often salaried) may be in a position which is defined full time because it is "on the books" as a position with 37.5 hours per week. This would often entitle them to benefits, etc. However, in my experience the white collar professionals who see themselves in a "career" usually are working 50-70 hours per week. 40 would be the absolute minimum and probably would not give you the opportunity for advancement because you would be seen as doing the minimum. The number of hours worked is not the focus, it is what does it take to advance to another position where more critical thinking skills are required, more ambiguity, and therefore more freedom to make informed decisions based on one's education and training? (The goal is not necessarily management, it could be just more responsibility or flexibility.)

If a BSN nurse works the 37.5 hours (or whatever makes it a full-time position) and does not look to work additional shifts to further experience or broaden themselves competitively, are they in a career or a job? What about making an investment of time without pay to "broaden choices" ?? It would seem to me that anyone who will only work if they get "paid" for it is the sign of someone who has a job not a career.

What determines in your minds whether someone treats their work like a job or a career? For example, could you argue that a plumber who goes onto open their own business is now white collar? They are no longer looking at the hours worked but are looking at the long term rewards and opportunities?

Can't wait to hear. I'm throwing this out there without having conclusions of my own. Yet! Thanks.

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.

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!

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

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. :yes:

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

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.

Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Telemetry/ICU Stepdown.

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.

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