Most people just focus on the bodily fluids aspect of nursing. When you explain it is much more than that, sometimes it sinks in and most times it doesn't.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
how do you respond to those comments about being a nurse that are like a backhanded compliment?
you know, like
a) my relative who said "i always wanted to be a nurse but i can't stand people in pain."
or b)
the "well, god bless you but i can't stand puke(or fill in the blank.)"
me(silently) a) "oh, but you see i like that."
or b)"aw, poor you..."
i'm sorry but i get annoyed sometimes.
this is kind of a general nursing type question but i'd like to hear from other er nurses because i appreciate your sarcastic wit so greatly!
well, i'm an icu nurse but i do like to hear from the er nurses with their sarcastic wit! (the icu boards aren't nearly as entertaining!)
unless it's someone you really need to explain yourself to (your spouse, a new lover, your daughter who is considering career choices, your son who says "men can't be nurses" or your mother who is honestly trying to understand your career choice) i'd just flip them the sarcastic witty answer the er nurses are so great at. but if it's someone you need to explain your choices to -- take some time to think through a real answer.
i always tell my relatives (who always say something like "i can't stand the sight of blood") that "it's not the blood that'll get ya," and change the subject.
I guess my hard won PR skills haven't permitted me more than a nod and an understanding smile to that sort of a comment for a long time. I KNOW they aren't going to worry about any of that "stuff" when they are on the receiving end of what I do. I can't be annoyed when I have so much satisfaction in really making a difference in this world, one person at a time.
Now, that being said . . .
"I don't know how you stand to sit at a desk in front of a computer screen all day. That would drive me nuts. Do you need stonger glasses now?"
"Yeah, the blood (poop, pee) is ok. It's the maggots that get me." (Picture me giggling in the background while prior commenter is gagging.)
"It's pretty awful. Only saved three lives yesterday."
"Yup, I always say, 'there's nothing better for pain than a good sharp needle'".
And thank you to those of you who enjoy the wit of an ED RN. I guess we are just a little sarcastic but we sure have fun.
Haha! We think alike! My response was gonna be along the same lines:
"The ____(blood/vomit) is the least of my worries"
Cuz seriously, it IS! Shoot if I've got a simple dermal bleed to control or a vomit to dodge I can call it a good day... its the traumas that'll get ya... the overwhelming patient load... the trauma rooms being hit with 2 stroke alerts within 10 minutes of eachother... the 6'3 250lb psych patient deciding its a good time to snap and make a lunge for your coworker (were'd security go?!)... and the GSW en route ETA 5 minutes (can we clear out one of the trauma beds yet?!?)
please...
What it comes down to is they don't understand what we do in its entirety.
I don't take those as a "back handed compliment"... I don't think these people actually mean any offense... its just a little ignorance mixed with genuine curiosity...and a little disgust.
Depending on my mood I'll either give them a sarcastic reply as above, or at others just the obligitory smile and shrug if I don't feel like going into it.
Sometimes people's comments can catch you off-guard. Never feel ashamed of what you do though. It really is a great profession. I'm proud as hell of my job!
i always tell my relatives (who always say something like "i can't stand the sight of blood") that "it's not the blood that'll get ya," and change the subject.
StNeotser, ASN, RN
963 Posts
Most people just focus on the bodily fluids aspect of nursing. When you explain it is much more than that, sometimes it sinks in and most times it doesn't.
Oh well...........