Entitlement/ superiority attitude of some nurses?

Nurses Relations

Updated:   Published

I work alongside nurses and am in the process of becoming a nurse myself.

While I have great respect for the profession and my coworkers as well as a passion for it (hence my reason for going to RN school), I've noticed nurses (many but not all) have this superiority attitude like their job is the only job in the Healthcare field that matters. They talk down to all the other professionals (respiratory therapists, social workers, occupational therapists, etc) and disregard any of the hard work they do and just expect a pat on the back for every little thing. I've even heard some nurses say they should get paid more than the doctor because their work is more important.

Also, I hear many nurses complain that they have too much to do, and then when anyone tries to give them a hand they have this turf battle and think everyone is trying to take over their job and isn't competent enough to do so even if it's something as simple as helping bathe a patient.

What's your opinion?

Specializes in CVICU CCRN.
Rose_Queen said:
Graham crackers + cream cheese kinda tastes like cheesecake (kinda). Of course, the only place they keep cream cheese is in the surgeon's lounge. *Whistles innocently* Not like I know that because I've swiped them or anything...

I bet that tastes just like mandatory overtime. [emoji21]

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
kalycat said:
I bet that tastes just like mandatory overtime. 

More like, quick, eat before we find out that the emergency they're scoping out while we finished the last case is really going to need surgery! And that's call back time, so it's exempt from that naughty phrase you used.

Specializes in CVICU CCRN.
Rose_Queen said:
More like, quick, eat before we find out that the emergency they're scoping out while we finished the last case is really going to need surgery! And that's call back time, so it's exempt from that naughty phrase you used.

Oh, well if we're talking faux cheesecake during call back time then I'm okay with that. ?

Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.
Rose_Queen said:
Graham crackers + cream cheese kinda tastes like cheesecake (kinda). Of course, the only place they keep cream cheese is in the surgeon's lounge. *Whistles innocently* Not like I know that because I've swiped them or anything...

"Up against the wall!! Spread 'em!!"

I can just hear security now;

"Well, well, well. What do we have here? Cream cheese? Can you tell us where you Got that cream cheese?"......

LOL.

funtimes said:
I've noticed this mindset in Nursing as well. It just seems like modern nurses see themselves as the center of the universe. It's what drove me away from Nursing school and into Respiratory therapy. I hate to say this, but from working as a tech and EMT for many years I gradually realized that I just didn't like Nurses very much. Gone are the days of people who get into the profession because they genuinely cared for people. Now its all ME ME ME.

I like being an RT, and loved working EMS, because I was around people who didn't just do it for the money, and who had a team mentality. I don't see that in Nursing at all. I think its a profession in crises, and I think maybe other health professionals need to step up and reduce the role of RNs in health care. They will always be necessary of course, but they've accrued way too much power and influence and patient care is suffering as a result.

If you do not like nurses, why are you on a website called AllNurses? We coordinate all interdisciplinary care and advocate for pts. We have to put out fires and make sure people are doing their part for the care plan. We are watching everything and tracking the patients overall physiological status. Reduce nursing involvement? Many issues are handled and serious harm is curtailed because we page the MDs to bedside. I mean, jeez, sure let's lower our vigilance of patient status.

You're incredibly misguided about what we do , and needlessly hateful. I appreciate every aspect of the care team, but you seriously need to reevaluate how you approach others. I care immensely about what I do, as do many other nurses. It's ridiculous to be discriminatory towards an entire profession, like you are. Especially on a nursing website.

I don't claim to know what your shift looks like, please don't suppose you have the faintest idea what mine looks like.

I saw a documentary recently on ABC one of its stand out lines was: Nurses are renown for eating their young.

Pythinia said:
I saw a documentary recently on ABC one of its stand out lines was: Nurses are renown for eating their young.

Really??? WOW!

Link please?

Specializes in Hospice.

Let's not throw our food under the bridge ...

So, would someone explain to me why feeling entitled is a bad thing?

Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I had a colleague who used to make a wee banana cream pie using graham crackers, vanilla pudding and the rare banana that appeared. And have you ever had a "snowball"? One of aides used to make them: afloat with orange sherbet and Sierra Mist ,mmm

Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.
Pythinia said:
I saw a documentary recently on ABC one of its stand out lines was: Nurses are renown for eating their young.

Did that show come on before Nurse Jackie, or after?

heron said:
Let's not throw our food under the bridge ...

So, would someone explain to me why feeling entitled is a bad thing?

Yeah, after my last weekend, I want someone to explain why I should do what I do without any recognition. I refuse to be responsible for everything that goes wrong but get no credit when everything goes well or, for the rare change, better than expected!

Maybe this is an ill effect of the "angels of mercy" theme people like to apply to nursing. No one expects angels or martyrs to want recognition and respect.

Specializes in none yet.

I like the Maya Angelou quote. Thanks.

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