Ashamed of nursing school

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Are any of you other nursing students ashamed that you are in nursing school? I personally am and heres why- At the community college I attend if you were to ask 10 students what their major is 9 would say nursing and more than likely only 1 would actually be in the nursing program. Many of those same ppl that hope to become nurses cant even read on a college level.

I tell ppl that I am an education major...

You'd rather be known as an education major than a nursing student ?! That's not shame, that's psychosis ! :jester:

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Forensics, Addictions.

I can completely relate to being ashamed to be in nursing school. I have told very few people that I am in nursing school and none of my co-workers know (I work in a hospital).

Many look down upon nurses. Most people that know me would question my decision to go to nursing school, and I just don't want to answer all the questions. I have a bachelors and law degree. People would start wondering what I am doing, pursuing another degree.

So, I don't mention nursing school. I prefer to let them think I'm still interested in being a lawyer.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Forensics, Addictions.
Tell me about it. And then theres the students that major in nursing with plans to go to medical school. Its just silly.

I don't think that there's anything wrong with majoring in nursing while an undergraduate with the goal of attending medical school. It actually seems like a very smart idea. For 4 years, the student learns substantive medical material and develops clinical skills from a nursing perspective. After admission to medical school, that same knowledge base and clinical skills can be adapted and expanded as is appropriate for a physician.

Is it better to major in A & P, Biology, Chemistry, or some Liberal Arts subject?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

No way am I ashamed of being a nursing student. I'm a career changer, and my parents are so proud, they seem to tell everyone they meet. I can just image when I graduate. When I was taking my prerequisites, 95-99% of us were going for nursing.

Those that you've met that can barely read at college level, will probably not make it in and if they do, may not even make it past their first semester. Getting into nursing school is an accomplishment, but actually graduating from any nursing program is a bigger accomplishment!

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

This is sad to read. You should be proud. Being a nurse is a very respectable profession, and those ignorant few are going to believe what they want to believe, so who cares?

My dad thinks all nurses do is wipe butts and asked me why I would want to do that when I could get a business degree and run the hospital instead. You know what? I could go get a degree in business, but I wouldn't be happy, and I'd end up like so many here with nrusing as my second or third career 20 years later. So I ignored my father, and I'm anxiously, and PROUDLY waiting on my letter into the program.

I hope you learn to stop caring what others think and are doing.:up:

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I am really curious about why it keeps being said that "most people look down on nurses" I have never seen this. Weren't nurses just rated #1 again in the most trusted profession?

Do you get people that look down on nurses? Sure, you get people that look down on all sorts of professions, I mean how many comments do you see all the time about someone ending up working Fast Food flipping burgers. Well you know what, it's a job, and at least that person is working.

I don't think "Most" people look down on nurses. I have gotten nothing but positive feedback and kudos about my career choice.

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I am 51 and can care less about opinions, attitudes etc. But I know it took me a long time to get here.

Trust me, you will be ok in the long run.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.

I am sorry if I am being a little slow-headed on this one. Many people are flocking to the nursing profession because of the continuation of the “nursing shortage”. The unemployment rate in my state is 9.5%. So, people are making career changes. It kills me to read some of these posts about who should or who shouldn’t pursue a nursing career. The bottom line is this…while we are dealing with sick people; we are also dealing with multiple personalities. There isn’t a mold or set of attributes that dictate what makes a great nurse. A Critical Care nurse has different personality traits and attributes than a Pediatric nurse. So, which is the best nurse? As far as income, do not be fooled by those who say they are not getting into nursing for the money and job security. EVERYONE seeks to make a decent living with secured employment. If you became a nurse because you “love helping people” and the money doesn’t matter, then quit your job, and volunteer at a health clinic serving our vulnerable population. Give you job to someone who wants to make a decent living.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I am sorry if I am being a little slow-headed on this one. Many people are flocking to the nursing profession because of the continuation of the "nursing shortage". The unemployment rate in my state is 9.5%. So, people are making career changes. It kills me to read some of these posts about who should or who shouldn't pursue a nursing career. The bottom line is this...while we are dealing with sick people; we are also dealing with multiple personalities. There isn't a mold or set of attributes that dictate what makes a great nurse. A Critical Care nurse has different personality traits and attributes than a Pediatric nurse. So, which is the best nurse? As far as income, do not be fooled by those who say they are not getting into nursing for the money and job security. EVERYONE seeks to make a decent living with secured employment. If you became a nurse because you "love helping people" and the money doesn't matter, then quit your job, and volunteer at a health clinic serving our vulnerable population. Give you job to someone who wants to make a decent living.

Ok just to play devils advocate here. You may love helping people but you still need to provide. I always knew I wanted to work in a field that involved "helping people", nursing wasn't my first choice. Office jobs are not for me, I had a rough life growing up and always wanted a job where I could make a difference in someones life in some form from that upbringing. Eventually I decided on nursing. The income will be nice, but it's not crucial to my life at the moment. If something where to happen and I needed to support my kids on my own, than yes, the income will be a huge plus, but it's doesn't matter right now. The money I make once I start working will be there to help us obtain the other things we want out of life that are hard to afford now. Family vacations to nice places, a good savings, "toys" for the family, etc. Why can't someone have both, a job they love and a good income?

I really don't care what a persons reasons are for going into nursing. If they are doing it for a steady and decent income, good for them. If they are doing it because they "love to help others" than good for them as well. I just ask that you be a good nurse to your patients.

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I am not ashamed of pursuing nursing school at all; in my environment the nursing profession seems to be well respected. Although, I defintely can relate to knowing students who have no idea on how to write a research paper or how to cite a paper boasting about getting a degree in Nursing.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.
Ok just to play devils advocate here. You may love helping people but you still need to provide. I always knew I wanted to work in a field that involved "helping people", nursing wasn't my first choice. Office jobs are not for me, I had a rough life growing up and always wanted a job where I could make a difference in someones life in some form from that upbringing. Eventually I decided on nursing. The income will be nice, but it's not crucial to my life at the moment. If something where to happen and I needed to support my kids on my own, than yes, the income will be a huge plus, but it's doesn't matter right now. The money I make once I start working will be there to help us obtain the other things we want out of life that are hard to afford now. Family vacations to nice places, a good savings, "toys" for the family, etc. Why can't someone have both, a job they love and a good income?

I really don't care what a persons reasons are for going into nursing. If they are doing it for a steady and decent income, good for them. If they are doing it because they "love to help others" than good for them as well. I just ask that you be a good nurse to your patients.

You're not playing devil's advocate. You are simply reiterating my point. There is nothing wrong with wanting to become a nurse because of a good salary. I do think that it takes a person wanting to help others to become a nurse. My argument simply is the fact of so many posters commenting that going into nursing for the money is wrong. I don't think it is wrong. There are so many different avenues to take with nursing. I will be honest when I say I have a small tolerance for ignorance, hateful people, and self-absorbed people, to name a few. Because I know of my short comings, being a bed side nurse until I retire is not practical. I graduate in April of 2011 with my BSN. I will be attending another university in the spring of 2012 to begin working on my PhD in Nursing Science. I know that I am better suited for university teaching and research. I think it should be everyone's goal to be "good" at whatever they pursue.

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Are any of you other nursing students ashamed that you are in nursing school? I personally am and heres why- At the community college I attend if you were to ask 10 students what their major is 9 would say nursing and more than likely only 1 would actually be in the nursing program. Many of those same ppl that hope to become nurses cant even read on a college level.

This is a bizarre question. As long as you're in the program and doing well, then you should be proud of yourself.

I meet plenty of people who say they're studying nursing, but they're not even in an actual nurisng program. I always ask them what school they go to and which semester they're in. Then they admit that they're still taking pre-reqs.

Then there are those who can't read on a college level (or they're very immature). Those who work really hard will make it while the others will give up.

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