Dating a Doctor

[Wildcat2009]

My girlfriend is a doctor. I am but a lowly student murse. This is my confession: My admission of guilt that no matter how progressive I am, I still have an inferiority complex.

Friends ask, "Why would you want to go to nursing school?" You'll never be a billionaire or even a millionaire." For some, my girlfriend included, nursing is a path chosen for those not capable of the rigors of 4 years of medical school.

Just imagine the parties I've been to surrounded by her doctor friends trying to keep a straight face when I tell them my ambition is to be a male nurse. I'd like to go into monkey mode, fling poop and fire insults. "Oh, you're an orthopedic surgeon? Too bad you're ugly and smell like rotten pistachios...

I'm sorry. I'm not even sure what that means.

Here's the deal: I genuinely believe in the nursing model. Nurses have the ability to heal in ways that doctors will never understand. To connect with patients and learn about yourself and your limits as a caregiver. To stare a frightened patient in the eyes and help them find peace in death. Maybe, just maybe i can learn to find courage and grace in the face of death, too.

To my friends: lawyers,doctors, bankers, venture capitalists. I doubt your career allows you to feel the full range of emotions that nurses battle and embrace. From existential crises to manic jubilation at unexpected patient outcomes.

I didn't mess up. I didn't fail. Actually, I'm right where I want to be.

Oh! But she's wonderful! Smart and caring, beautiful and bold. She says what she means and I love her for that. Oh dear God, I love her.

[BuiltRNmedic]

I've yet to meet an MD that isn't human. They're just regular people like the rest of us but they use their egos to hide their insecurities and money as a bluff. It's all about the confidence within and when you can say to yourself "I know of no physicians that are more secure in their skin and living as happy of a life as me" then the small things won't bother you. They have their own infidelities, financial problems, liability issues, stress, overworked, etc. they aren't perfect no matter how high they hold their heads and talk down to people.

Work on you and know you're just as important on this earth no matter what the abbreviations are behind your name ;-)

[mh0712, MSN, RN]

A true professional never makes fun of or degrades another professional even if he or she thinks their role is better or more important; however, to me it does not matter being a nurse and dating a doctor. If your significant other makes you feel bad for your career choice then I suggest finding someone who does not make you feel bad for your choice. Do not think that being a nurse makes you inferior, because 9 times out of 10 you will know your patients better and have a lot less stress than those physician friends on hers; in addition, you can work your 3 days and have four off while they suffer through 90 hours a week and dream of having four days off in a row.

[SaveALifeMike, BSN, RN]

Just because someone is a doctor doesn't mean they're necessarily smarter. Both professions go hand-in-hand because we're so closely related. They're certain nurses such as CRNAs that make just as much as doctors or more, so I don't think either career is better than the other. Most people think of the salary aspect as opposed to the job duties, and don't realize nurses have the opportunity to increase their salaries tremendously.