I had a classmate in nursing school who was of Indian (Asia) descent who had many mannerisms to imply he was pre-med. The unnecessary long white lab coat he used during nursing skills lab/clinical and his high interest in discussing the pathology behind every disease. He even said he was interested in becoming a doctor but he was enrolled in nursing school with me? I found that rather odd. Unfortunately, he did not make it through the nursing program. I can see the potential mistake patients would have for anyone (regardless of nationality) who presents themselves in a certain way can be mistaken for a Doctor or pre-med student. I also understand that in the Indian culture... Indian male nurses are not common. A Indian doctor is most commonly seen. That's just my observation in the hospitals in California I've been to.
What is odd about it? Many people especially those of foreign descent use nursing in North America as a stepping stone to get their medical degrees.
i've worked with several South Asian male nurses - they may have been mistaken for docotrs over the years - but at some point i think every nurse gets a mistaken identity - whether it be doctor, NA, or housekeeping. Just take it in stride and politely correct them.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
What is odd about it? Many people especially those of foreign descent use nursing in North America as a stepping stone to get their medical degrees.
That's odd. Why would someone of foreign descent go to nursing school in North America to get a medical degree? Nursing school and med school aren't even kind of alike. Do North American nursing schools prepare you to be a doctor in another country?
That's odd. Why would someone of foreign descent go to nursing school in North America to get a medical degree? Nursing school and med school aren't even kind of alike. Do North American nursing schools prepare you to be a doctor in another country?
My nursing class was full of international students who were doctors in their home country - one was even an obstetrician so med school plus residency, however, their training didn't directly translate into being eligible to practice medicine in Canada (not sure about the US) and so they wound up in nursing school to keep their skills current and keep a foot in the medical field. There's a deficiency of family practitioners here, not enough seats in medical schools yet an overkill of international applicants who can't meander their way through the system due to high standards and rigid specifications. I haven't yet decided if this is a good thing or a bad thing.
It must be a huge slap in the face to be demoted in such a way - medical degrees useless so opting for janitor, taxi driver, etc. whatever it takes to pay the bills.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Gluteus - Thank you for clarifying that! Yes, I've worked with many, many people who tell me they "were an RN in their home country" if they are working as an aide or LPN, and "they were a doctor in their home country" if they are working as an RN.
I don't see it as a demotion at all, though. They chose to emigrate to another country and all of the consequences that may come with it, and education isn't a "one-size-fits-all" system across borders. I know the red tape probably annoys them, but practicing medicine in the US and Canada is a privilege, imo.
Yes. Uniforms are confusing in American hospitals and vary from place to place so people rely on stereotypes to distinguish and make assumptions about who is who. Some will think you are a MD because of your ethnicity, some will think you're one because you're male. Some will assume because you're scrubs are solid, or green, or you have a stethoscope. Others may think you are a Dr. if you have what they think is a very professional manner. And some will just call you Dr. because they think that is the more prestigious position and let you correct them if they are wrong because they think they are avoiding offense that way. Good luck on your journey to being a Nurse. I'm sure after all you're hard work you won't have too much trouble correcting them and proudly telling them your a registered nurse.
As a side note I just realized that the only nurse smiley and icon is a Caucasian female. Hmm...maybe we can start working on correcting some of those assumptions right here on "allnurses". And I realized after "re-reading" your post that I had assumed you meant you were studying to become a RN (rather than LPN) I guess we all make assumptions all the time.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
. . .As a side note I just realized that the only nurse smiley and icon is a Caucasian female. Hmm...maybe we can start working on correcting some of those assumptions right here on "allnurses". And I realized after "re-reading" your post that I had assumed you meant you were studying to become a RN (rather than LPN) I guess we all make assumptions all the time.
I noticed that about the nurse smiley, too. Even though I fit the category (except I'm not young-looking and I have a nose)it still bugs me.
And I realized after "re-reading" your post that I had assumed you meant you were studying to become a RN (rather than LPN) I guess we all make assumptions all the time.
Gluteus Maximus
59 Posts
What is odd about it? Many people especially those of foreign descent use nursing in North America as a stepping stone to get their medical degrees.