Dealing with a best friend who is less than supportive

[dc1994]

I am currently a pre-nursing student. I have applied for fall 2015 and should be hearing something within the next few weeks. I went up to Virginia for a vacation over my spring break to visit a friend who recently moved from where I live. He lives with some other friends of mine. He *was* generally supportive of my decision to be a nurse and cheered me on. That all changed while I was up there. He was talking about how "doctors and nurses have the easiest job" and when I asked him what he thought nurses did, he said that we just check on people and follow orders. This really made me upset. He is supposed to be my best friend, and I feel like a friend wouldn't put down my chosen profession over a little anger about a hospital bill.

How do you guys deal with people like this? Should I still be friends with someone like this? My family and other friends are extremely supportive, but I don't know what to do about him. Thanks for any feedback. :)

[julzgarcia]

You want to surround yourself with nothing by positive people. We are the opposite, my family isn't supportive of me being in school (there are no college graduates in my family). They never ask how I'm doing in my classes, when I do talk about class they never engage in conversation. So I stopped talking to them about my studies, we don't really talk much anyway. The only person who has been so supportive is my husband and that's all I need. You don't need negativity, especially during a time like this, it's hard as it is without people trying to bring you down.

[Red Kryptonite]

This person is a long term friend, so presumably you can call him out on crappy behavior. Why not just tell him, "Hey I understand you're upset about how your hospitalization went, but do you realize how insulting you were to me during my visit?"

Then make decisions about your future relationship based on how that conversation goes.

[mirandaaa]

I wouldn't give up on a friendship because of something like that. Everyone will have different opinions on what you want to do and unfortunately, they won't all be supportive. I suggest just talking to the friend and let them know that this is important to you and why and that you would appreciate his support.

My boyfriend of nearly 3 years was extremely unsupportive of me going to school and it was a major strain on our relationship for a while. I'm in my second semester now and doing very well and he's much more supportive now that he sees how dedicated I am.

Good luck with your friend!

P.S. You can tell him that nurses definitely do more than check on people and chart!

[Nienna Celebrindal]

I would be honest with him. Tell him "Nursing is my path. You have two choices: you can be a supportive friend and we can remain close. Or you can continue to be little my dream and see me a lot less. Your choice. I want you around but i also need people who can be supportive an respectful."

Nursing school and your first year is definitely no time for negative unsupported people. You also have way less free time and you want to spend it happily.

Sorry for your experience. I think most of us end up experiencing something similar with someone.

[neverland]

Make like Taylor Swift and shake it off ;-)