Did becoming a nurse change you????

Nurses General Nursing

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i just have a question for all you experienced nurses. when you finished nursing school, did you change, or know of someone who changed for the worse. the reason why i ask is because a couple of my friends and myself started nursing school last august. everything was going fine, two or of decided on the rn program and we will graduate in may;)!!! the other decided on the lpn program, and she graduated in july. everyone has been so happy for her. i mean we have known each other for 10 years, we have worked as cna's together for the past 10 years. so it was shocking to see how much she has changed, she has out right lied on some damn good nurses. she went so far as to stand up at a meeting and bad mouth all the weekend nurses:devil::devil:. she reminds me of the nancy nurse that my instructor always speaks of minus the nursing license ( she hasn't taken her boards yet). everytime i talk with her its always people are jealous of her because she is going to be a nurse now. i know for a fact thats not the case:nono::nono:. the same nurses she went and reported, where the same nurses who wrote her letter of recommendation for her portfolio:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire. i just hope i don't end up with the super ego trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Specializes in LTC.

you see the beginning of life ,the end of life ,and everything in between. how different we all are ,and how much alike. people at their absolute worst and their best. how could you possibly be the same ?

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

I agree with the posters that say you do not change who you are because of your degree (I have two). You might change how you act or react under certain situations, but your basic personality should be the same. With that said, I suspect she was a snitch and a jerk before nursing school.

Maybe back then you did not notice because she was not assertive enough to be harmful? In any case, her behaviors are unprofessional!! Do not worry, her behaviors are not contagious. However, she will have her butt handed to her soon.

There is only one of her so if she continues to burn all of her bridges and cut up all of her co-workers, they will fight back and bury her alive. Sadly, she will think that they are only jealous of her since she is too self centered to see how she is behaving.

Maybe you can point out her awful behaviors by using therapeutic communication techniques??? If it does not work, I suggest that you stay far away from her! Over time you do not want others to think that you share her beliefs and her behaviors because they may retaliate against you too. GL!

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When I graduated from nursing school, my now ex-husband said he didn't realize what a monster I would become... Apparently, building self-esteem and gaining the inner fortitude to express my own opinions made me a much worse wife... LOL My kids are both strong and smart, as well as independent, and I have grown much as a person.

I think that I have changed for the better, although the cynicism expressed above does rear its head once in a while...

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i have gained much patience and wisdom.

i now look at admin, knowingly.

i deal with families, tolerantly.

i treat my pts, more patiently.

i interact with doctors, more confidently.

and i work w/my colleagues, respectfully.

it's all good. :)

leslie

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

I'm only 6 months into schooling, but my mom has told other family members that I've changed. I have, but in better ways. I don't say "I can't" anymore. I say "I will get this done". I'm learning patience. I realize that death is part of life, and I can't change it. I have become more accepting of death when it is coming to a patient on my floor. I let families of dying patients know that I am there for them, and if they need something, to please ask me and I'll do my best to provide what they need. I don't hover. I have esteem. I know my job is important, even though most think I'm "just an aide or just a student practical nurse." Yes, I have changed. For the better.

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I've gained lots of weight! heheheh :lol2:

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I have seen new nurses become monsters. Myself personally, I have changed but in a positive way. I view people as individuals with no prejudice and have learned the value of life and how it can be taken away from you without a warning. I have become confident without being cocky. If you don't let it change you, it won't. Just always remeber your roots.

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Specializes in Corrections, Cardiac, Hospice.

I have a whole boat load of self-esteem that I didn't have before my degree. I was married, worked two jobs and went to school for 10 years for my degree. So, I know that I can do anything I put my mind to...Also, working with Cardiovascular and Cardiac doctors for 7 years, not to much scares me:lol2:

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I haven't started my nursing careeer yet and am currently applying to various courses for next year, however I have experienced something similar with people that I've known in different fields.

One person who had been a long time friend seemed to change in exactly the way you described. For some reason that I still can't understand she acted as if having a degree/qualification made her better than anybody else - even if they had similar qualifications. And when confronted about it she would say that people were jealous of her degree.

The people I've know that were like this did often grow out of it... And although I have known a few people that were like that, the majority weren't.

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

I've been doing this so long now I honestly can't say how much being a nurse has changed me, and how much living those years has changed me.

I am definitely more confident and assertive than I was but is it due to being a nurse? Who knows?

I agree with other posters who have said that your friend's change is from something within her, not from becoming a nurse. She's showing something that was there all along, you just didn't see it before (she kept it hidden). I'd say back off a bit from the friendship and see what happens over time.

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I want to tell you that becoming a nurse can destroy relationships, my husband out of the blue would accuse me of trying to be "the boss" and thinking I was high and mighty now that I was an RN (you'd have to hear the way he said it). He would say I would be making all the money and all I wanted him for was to be my giggolo (if I was wanting a pretty boy it wouldn't be him!)He cheated on me with a something I'd better not say on here (I still feel the urge to hunt her down and unleash my fury). He just treated me horribly at a time I thought we would be celebrating. If it wasn't for the kids I would be out of here.

I just totally did not understand why he was lashing out at me. Then, I realized it wasn't me, it was him. He was jealous and insecure and he was the one who felt threatened. Therefore, in his warped little mind I had changed, even though I hadn't changed. Even still, if it wasn't for the kids I would be out of here.

So, when people feel threatened by your new status (BTW, I don't know why the general public tends to feel that RN's are "super people." It's just a job, I don't get it.) they will be the ones to say becoming a nurse changed you.

The only way I've "changed" is that I feel very old and tired (don't know if it is nurse-related) and I realize more and more that doctor's don't care anymore. Life is cheap to them and all their offices do is process insurance claims.

I guess you would call that feeling cynical toward the system.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Arwen could not have said it any better. However, it has changed me. I was always a person that enjoyed solitude, but, I find that off the job, I want to be home more than go out, because I am more tired. People in general drain me now, because I have witnessed people fighting for their lives, and to hear about superficial garbage turns me off. I don't go out the way that I used to because I am beat down to a pulp most days, and I got tired of playing the game with administration, smiling in their faces when I know they don't give a crap about me or my co-workers. So, now, I do not go to any holiday or birthday parties with my co-workers, because I have basically seen enough of them during working hours and don't contribute to the collections for these parties, because they are sort of phony to me (plus, I can spend my money on other things that I really need).

Yeah, I am more cynical...does it show that bad...LOL

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