I am in a two year RN program at a community college. I have a law degree, and I am studying nursing so I can do HealthCare Law or Medical Malpractice. No one at my school knows that I have a law degree (except the administrator), and I don't plan to tell them, because I don't want to answer legal questions for the next two years, or draw attention to myself.
Sadly, I am disappointed with many of my classmates in nursing school. They are very boring to talk to and somewhat blue-collar-ish. I am always friendly towards them, but half of them don't return my friendly gestures because they probably don't understand my nature (I am shy and reserved, but pleasant). My classmates in law school were just so much more interesting, and friendly! I got along great with all of them. I was expecting to really like my nursing classmates too, because I thought most nurses were really nice people. But these people are just working class snobs (they don't like anyone who does not act working class like them).
I probably should have applied to a Masters level Nursing program, in order to find people like myself in nursing school.
I was just wondering if others out there are a "fish out of water" in their nursing programs.
It sounds like a golden opportunity to find out what it takes to "click" with people from all socio-economic levels and sub-cultures. It is my own personal policy to look at my own behavior first if I am feeling out-of-place in a situation. It is most likely apparent to others that you are feeling uncomfortable or possibly even coming across as judgmental. Of course, I don't know, just a thought.
I firmly believe there are no accidents in life. No doubt there is something very important for you to learn in this situation. And undoubtedly a great deal you can contribute. By the way, I think it is a big mistake to hide who you are, so what if you get asked a few questions now and then, I think it would be great to contribute that knowledge or your point of view to your class. Be yourself and see what happens.
Good luck.
Ditto! Ditto! May I also add that I think not only would answering a few questions be a contribution to the class but would also be a contribution to your goal of Medical Law.
As a side note, I was born and raised in NJ with a very judgemental, snobby mother. I moved to "backwoods, redneck Tennessee" (notice the quotes). Yes, its very "blue-collarish" here. Yes, many lack any kind of formal education. Many of my classmates are the first to even graduate high school nevermind college. However, with that being said, I have never met a warmer, friendlier, good-hearted people in my entire life. Lighten up and give folks a chance because the people who you are in school with are the kind of people that you may eventually be defending or at the least working very closely with in your end-goal career.
Driving, I don't really see the negativity you do. From one post, yes, but the OP is clearly out of his/her element, as was I when I returned to school. It was a completely different cohort than the one to which I was accustomed, but I, and they, adapted.
I have had to work very hard to assimilate into a rural area. It is very easy for my humor to be misunderstood, for my forthrightness to be interpreted as brashness - in short, it's a cultural collision, and it had taken me four years to become accustomed to the mores of this area, AND for the locals to begin to accept me.
Again, I agree here and with the OP's intent--she just feels like a fish out of water. I feel the same way too and it has nothing to do with degree or attitude...it does have to do with friendliness and yes, manners of your classmates. Granted, I'm not going to get the friendliest response when someone's stressing out or pre-occupied. But some people are just outright rude, like they can't be bothered to acknowledge you! And others have a harder time making friends and responding to gestures.
I swear sometimes it feels like I'm in high school again, with the cliques and snottiness! And not just from the 20-somethings but the 30- and 40-somethings. I am so OVER that.
Like Suesquatch says, its a cultural collision (great phrase!) but the smaller environment of a classroom can feel like that too, especially if you have a different background than that of your classmates. I started in Sept. and it is just shaking out now who I'm friendly with. I hope you find that too!!
I am in a two year RN program at a community college. I have a law degree, and I am studying nursing so I can do HealthCare Law or Medical Malpractice. No one at my school knows that I have a law degree (except the administrator), and I don't plan to tell them, because I don't want to answer legal questions for the next two years, or draw attention to myself.
Sadly, I am disappointed with many of my classmates in nursing school. They are very boring to talk to and somewhat blue-collar-ish. I am always friendly towards them, but half of them don't return my friendly gestures because they probably don't understand my nature (I am shy and reserved, but pleasant). My classmates in law school were just so much more interesting, and friendly! I got along great with all of them. I was expecting to really like my nursing classmates too, because I thought most nurses were really nice people. But these people are just working class snobs (they don't like anyone who does not act working class like them).
I probably should have applied to a Masters level Nursing program, in order to find people like myself in nursing school.
I was just wondering if others out there are a "fish out of water" in their nursing programs.
Um.......that sounds very rude and biased as you seem to have put yourself on some kind of pedestal. People are just people, blue collar or white collar.
That being said........you can feel like a fish out of water anyplace that is different from your norm or something that you have not experienced before.
I feel like a fish out of water in my nursing class BIG TIME. There are 8 of us........4 of the girls know each other from previous classes, are the best of friends, talk several times a day and have formed their own little clique. They are very nice to me, but I feel like I am always butting in when I try and befriend them. The other three are also very nice, but 2 of them know each other from previous classes and have their own little thing going on.........again I feel like I'm butting in...............and the last one is like me in that she doesn't fit in with the 2 groups either.
I think the OP just sounds like a 'fish out of water' right now. It's an adjustment.
Maybe think of this a different way. Engage in some empathy and expand your ability to understand those different than yourself. If you had been born into their circumstances, most likely, you'd be blue-collar as well. I'd also examine yourself for bias and stereotyping regarding blue-collar people. Also keep in mind that community college RN programs have high failure rates. So some of the oddballs you see will never make it to graduation.
You don't have to engage all your classmates in nursing school. Just be friendly and choose your friends wisely. Meaningful compliments go a long way in creating goodwill, even if you don't outright befriend someone. It just helps to diffuse tension.
I get a similar thing as the OP - because I'm so quiet and reserved. Some people mistake it for aloofness or superiority. I'd suggest keeping your grades private too. I've found that can create division among classmates. I have classmates that are flustered when they find out about my past academic achievement; so I don't talk about it.
I know it's strange. In other degree programs, you don't have to hide your achievements to protect your classmates' egos. But with most things - this isn't how things should be, but how matters actually are.
I really appreciate your thoughtful reply, and it gave me a lot to think about. I also have other reasons for going to nursing school besides preparing for a career in medical malpractice, so I think it's the right place for me. My mother, grandmother, and sister are all nurses, so I grew up in a nursing family, and always wanted to go into nursing too. Plus I have young children, so Im not ready to work full-time in law or any field. Nursing school is a good place for me to be right now. It's a lot of fun, and I really enjoy it. Plus I am going to a very inexpensive school, so it's not a huge financial sacrifice for me of my family.
I guess I never realized nursing is blue-collar. I thought it was more of a white collar profession now, and I expected to find myself surrounded by people more like yourself (people who can express themselves well and who are interesting to talk to). Instead, I am working with people who are smart enough to do the job, but not smart enough to be interesting conversationalists. And they can't relate to me at all, because I don't act silly like they do, or talk about boring topics.
I'm sure I will find nurses I like once I graduate. There were many nurses and doctors in my law school, and they were some of my best friends. They were fascinating people.
Instead, I am working with people who are smart enough to do the job, but not smart enough to be interesting conversationalists. And they can't relate to me at all, because I don't act silly like they do, or talk about boring topics.
I bet you can't comprehend that your attitude is offensive to the people around you, can you?
No one likes a snob, and your attitude and opinion of these lowly blue-collar nurses shine through like a beacon - you just don't realize it.
Driving, I don't really see the negativity you do. From one post, yes, but the OP is clearly out of his/her element, as was I when I returned to school. It was a completely different cohort than the one to which I was accustomed, but I, and they, adapted.
amj's post could have been better worded, but I can imagine that if she comes from a certain background that others might be put-off by her simply because of her bearing.
I have had to work very hard to assimilate into a rural area. It is very easy for my humor to be misunderstood, for my forthrightness to be interpreted as brashness - in short, it's a cultural collision, and it had taken me four years to become accustomed to the mores of this area, AND for the locals to begin to accept me.
Exactly! I really can't help my "bearing." Law school changed me, and made me smarter and calmer. Am I supposed to dumb-myself-down to protect the egos of people who were not as lucky to go to law school? Wouldn't that be a huge insult to them? I like my classmates and accept them for who they are. But unfortunately they cannot do the same with me. I guess this will be an issue for me all throughout nursing, and I will just have to get used to being a loner in nursing school. But these people better not call me when they commit medical malpractice and need legal advice!
I felt the exact same way as Tooty. I don't think I'm an elitist snob, but I did expect to find intellectually curious, scientifically minded classmates. I did not.
I really appreciate your thoughtful reply, and it gave me a lot to think about. I also have other reasons for going to nursing school besides preparing for a career in medical malpractice, so I think it's the right place for me. My mother, grandmother, and sister are all nurses, so I grew up in a nursing family, and always wanted to go into nursing too. Plus I have young children, so Im not ready to work full-time in law or any field. Nursing school is a good place for me to be right now. It's a lot of fun, and I really enjoy it. Plus I am going to a very inexpensive school, so it's not a huge financial sacrifice for me of my family.
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I guess I never realized nursing is blue-collar. I thought it was more of a white collar profession now, and I expected to find myself surrounded by people more like yourself (people who can express themselves well and who are interesting to talk to). Instead, I am working with people who are smart enough to do the job, but not smart enough to be interesting conversationalists. And they can't relate to me at all, because I don't act silly like they do, or talk about boring topics.
I'm sure I will find nurses I like once I graduate. There were many nurses and doctors in my law school, and they were some of my best friends. They were fascinating people.
good heavens.. i didn't go to nursing school to find people who were good conversationalists...i went to school to learn how to take good care of my patients and give them the care they deserve so they can get well.. who cares about conversation.. you want to pass boards.. the NCLEX dosen't care if your boring or not.. you want good conversation.. join a book club...
People are just people, blue collar or white collar.
Bortaz, MSN, RN
2,628 Posts
I gotta admit, you wouldn't click too well with me, either.