Does Everyone Actually Hate Nurses?

[Casha9]

I am about to begin nursing school in a few weeks, and everywhere I turn I feel like I hear a bunch of negativity towards nurses. It seems like nurses are the bottom of the food chain, but is that really true? People keep saying to me, "why would you only want to be a nurse?" - like it's a bad thing. I realize that you have to earn your own respect, and that it isn't easy. Maybe it's just a mix of media and too many fears swimming through my head. Are nurses really as disrespected and disliked as everyone makes it sound?

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Where have you been turning? I have never had a negative reaction from ANYONE when I say that I am a nurse.

[Casha9]

Thank you all for the positive feedback! I'm glad to hear that the opinions I have received (before posting this feed) are not widely shared. While my heart knows that I should be a nurse, it helps to hear that this is worthwhile. I was beginning to feel like I am condemning myself to a career of no appreciation

[mvm2]

Sometimes the appreciation has to come from within. You are going to have your days where you are going to sit and cry in your coffee cup wondering why did I ever become a nurse because there will be patients and staff that will make you think you are not appreciated. But if you keep in your heart the times someone does give you that smile and a warm thank you it will all be worth it. When that patient is cursing at you just know in your mind that what you are doing for that person does matter even when they don't see it.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

People in health care think nurses are nothing special.

When I have my scrubs on in public, I'm always treated with respect.

One thing that always makes me smile, is when men hold doors open for me.

I choose not to believe it's because I remind them of their granny, but because I'm a nurse.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Some people do think of nursing as low in the totem pole. My mother and one of my beloved college professors told me I'm selling myself short to become a nurse. They believed nurses don't use their intellect. I was worried about having to take orders, as I'm used to working in management/ supervisory positions.

However, as a nurse, in my current facility, I work very autonomously. My DON isn't telling me what to do. She expects me to use clinical knowledge and nursing judgement. My DON isn't telling me what to do.

Furthermore, I believe most people like nurses. My friends and people I meet respect nurses. (-:

What the prior poster said about the public respecting you when you're out in scrubs has proven true for me, too.

I've never run into anybody who "hates nurses"

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

"why would you only want to be a nurse?"

"Why would you ask me such a question?"

It is all about intent. However, nursing can be a bachelor's level education and beyond.

And these questions either come from well meaning (

"Why, what an interesting question!! My first thought process was to backpack through Europe for a couple of years to find myself, however...."

Best of luck in your endevours!

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day, aubreyshay28:

It might be your geographic area or people you hang around (intentionally or unintentionally). Everytime I hear about nurses in our area, friends, and family, I hear about them in high regard -- always positive.

Thank you.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Thank you for your responses! As having nursing as your career, do you personally feel that you are held in high regard?

I have been nurse for 35 hears and I have felt very respected..

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

The most disrespect I have encountered as a nurse is from other nurses and CNA's. (It is called horizontal violence). I have never had anyone else (family, friends or general public) ever disrespect me for being a nurse.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I would strongly suspect the response has much more to do with your family members' expectations of your abilities (and expectations for a future career for you) than anything related to nursing itself.

Chances are, those who are saying this to you put you in high regard and are surprised you aren't doing "more" with your life, future. They probably see aeronautical engineering as a more predicted goal for you than "just" nursing.

What to do? Nothing. Be the best you can be at whatever it is YOU want to do :)

And if you feel like being snarky, in response to "why do you only want to be a nurse?" you can say "well, I considered Queen of the Universe, but decided that would be too routine!"

[ToyaB]

It might be the crowd you're hanging around. People in different circles regard nursing highly, whereas others would never encourage their children to become nurses.

Personally, my family and social circle views nursing as somewhat of a prestigious jackpot. Then again, I come from a family where many people have dropped out of high school and the majority have relatively unskilled entry-level jobs. To someone who earns $11/hour at a call center, nursing is held in awe.

On the other hand, if most of the people in your circle have a lot of sophistry, education, and high-powered positions (read: physicians, attorneys, executives, tenured college professors, etc), they may or may not hold negative notions about the nursing profession.

It could be that... or it could be that they're sipping a little something called HATERADE.

Not everyone has it in them to be a nurse, but if you do, go for it! Your options are endless in this field and when you enter school you're going to be amazed at how expansive and amazing nursing is. It's also challenging and we are working in a system with some kinks, but honey please, PEOPLE LOVE US!

And how can they not... we're pretty great!

Don't let anyone discourage you.