Are We "Glorifying" Nurses?

nynursey_ · Jul 13, 2015

I don't agree with this at all. My youngest is in engineering in a Big Ten university, and it is extremely competitive. First of all, it is competitive admission to even get into the Engineering college. Second, her prereqs have been things like Calc 3 and Calc 4, Physics for scientists, Advanced Organic Chem for Scientists, etc. I am obviously biased, but I can tell you my daughter is a caliber student that I certainly wasn't. And the preparation she had to do in high school was well beyond what you would need to do if nursing school was your goal. Math for engineering BEGINS at Calculus.

I agree that advanced knowledge and strong motivation are neccesities for such programs. I will say, however, that while I was in my first year of nursing school, learning the in's and out's of pathophysiology, my then boyfriend at the time (an aerospace engineer) couldn't navigate his way through the Kreb's cycle if he tried (I use that as just one example). I firmly believe it depends upon a multitude of factors.

My only point to address the author's attempt to compare one major to another is that there is so much more that goes into determining how hard/easy something is to master rather than just saying "but it's PHYSICS" or "it's NURSING." Difficulty is very hard to measure in quantitative terms.

Libby1987 · Jul 13, 2015

Flame me but when a degree doesn't even require algebra II the rest of the material is likely to feel pretty difficult to those that math and hard sciences would have filtered out.

It looks absurd for us to be stomping our feet and posting memes on Facebook. I would quit an MD or any other professional who did that.

ETA not that I don't agree that the author is just plain silly but I agree with the basic premise that the memes I see are ridiculous.

naptimeRN · Jul 13, 2015

It's not even the article that gets my blood churning... It's the comments. Why.. Why did I read the comments!? While I feel slightly offended, I must remember these people are trolling from behind a computer monitor in their mother's basement.

nynursey_ · Jul 13, 2015

Flame me but when a degree doesn't even require algebra II the rest of the material is likely to feel pretty difficult to those that math and hard sciences would have filtered out.
It looks absurd for us to be stomping our feet and posting memes on Facebook. I would quit an MD or any other professional who did that.
ETA not that I don't agree that the author is just plain silly but I agree with the basic premise that the memes I see are ridiculous.

I may be wrong but a BSN requires Statistics, which I believe requires knowledge of algebra beyond basic algebra. Additionally, I would consider pathophysiology and advanced physiology to also be hard sciences.

The memes are really just for fun. Some of them are pretty hilarious and rooted in truth.

naptimeRN · Jul 13, 2015

Another point before I go cry myself to sleep.. The point on "anyone can be a nurse". Sure, anyone can really do any job if they applied themselves. People are capable of many things. That doesn't mean everyone has the motivation to do it and then do it well. Maybe anyone could potentially be a nurse.. I don't know. But that doesn't mean everyone has the motivation and drive to do it...and then stick it out when their elbow deep in the nitty gritty of it.

canigraduate · Jul 13, 2015

Flame me but when a degree doesn't even require algebra II the rest of the material is likely to feel pretty difficult to those that math and hard sciences would have filtered out.
It looks absurd for us to be stomping our feet and posting memes on Facebook. I would quit an MD or any other professional who did that.
ETA not that I don't agree that the author is just plain silly but I agree with the basic premise that the memes I see are ridiculous.

I never thought about the math requirements. I took Calculus and Trig in high school as a prerequisite to AP Biology, so I guess I thought there had to be more math to it than algebra II.

That explains why some of my clinical students suck so bad at dosage calc.

Libby1987 · Jul 13, 2015

I may be wrong but a BSN requires Statistics, which I believe requires knowledge of algebra beyond basic algebra. Additionally, I would consider pathophysiology and advanced physiology to also be hard sciences.

I always thought every program incl ADN's had similar math and science requirements but have since learned on this site that isn't the case.

nynursey_ · Jul 13, 2015

Another point before I go cry myself to sleep.. The point on "anyone can be a nurse". Sure, anyone can really do any job if they applied themselves. People are capable of many things. That doesn't mean everyone has the motivation to do it and then do it well. Maybe anyone could potentially be a nurse.. I don't know. But that doesn't mean everyone has the motivation and drive to do it...and then stick it out when their elbow deep in the nitty gritty of it.

I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. I was just thinking about it on my way home from my shift yesterday. There are certain personality traits that are more suited for some professions than others. Anyone *can* be a nurse but that doesn't mean anyone *should* be a nurse. If you're exceptionally impatient, quick-tempered, and judgmental ... well, is that really the best fit for a position caring for potentially difficult patient populations?

nynursey_ · Jul 13, 2015

I always thought every program had similar math and science requirements but have since learned on this site that isn't the case.

Not only each program but each degree type and college. It's very strange.

Libby1987 · Jul 13, 2015

Funny memes are one thing, it's the whiney you don't know all that I do I'm saving lives while you sleep ones that are embarrassing.

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2015

Flame me but when a degree doesn't even require algebra II the rest of the material is likely to feel pretty difficult to those that math and hard sciences would have filtered out.
It looks absurd for us to be stomping our feet and posting memes on Facebook. I would quit an MD or any other professional who did that.
ETA not that I don't agree that the author is just plain silly but I agree with the basic premise that the memes I see are ridiculous.

Why do the memes bother you so? We as nurses often find ourselves in ridiculous and funny situations and memes are born. It's not that serious and humor is a coping mechanism for a lot of people. Lighten up.

ETA: I just saw you last post and I agree, just like the ones from baristas, retail workers, and political parties annoy the crap out of me but I think it's human nature to complain. Period.

nynursey_ · Jul 13, 2015

Funny memes are one thing, it's the whiney you don't know all that I do I'm saving lives while you sleep ones that are embarrassing.

Eh, I take it with a grain of salt. If martyring makes one feel a little more important and it positively impacts their patient care, then it doesn't bother me. Sometimes it's helpful for some people to feel sacrificial in their care .. makes them go above and beyond and feel a sense of satisfaction. So long as the patient benefits, does anyone really care?