Forceful opinions

[mmcc26]

Hi everyone! I posted on here a week ago about a negative experience with a family member sort of "putting me down" about my choice to pursue nursing as a career. I've come to notice that a lot of members of my family, upon hearing about my career choice, have been giving me LOTS of unwarranted advice about what I should do, where I should work, what specialty to pursue, which degrees to get, etc etc.

I'm just curious if this is like this for anyone else, or if my family is just extremely overly opinionated?!

[chibiRN]

When I was in nursing school my dad's side of the family kept asking if med school were next. The finally got it now that I WANT to be a nurse! LOL but now that I'm thinking of going back for my MSN or PhD in nursing we're back to the drawing board. My Japanese grandma asked the other day "Doctor of Nursing? Why not doctor of doctor? Your cousin is doctor you know?" I totally get your pain!

[Irish_Mist, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone! I posted on here a week ago about a negative experience with a family member sort of "putting me down" about my choice to pursue nursing as a career. I've come to notice that a lot of members of my family, upon hearing about my career choice, have been giving me LOTS of unwarranted advice about what I should do, where I should work, what specialty to pursue, which degrees to get, etc etc.

I'm just curious if this is like this for anyone else, or if my family is just extremely overly opinionated?!

Ahhh. Unsolicited advice. That is what I call it. Most "solicitors of unwanted advice" often have no clue what they're talking about and are opinionated to boot. Seriously. Some people have an opinion about EVERYTHING. I have some people in my life like that. Namely a select co-worker (or two) and one client. I am the youngest one at my office and most of the people there are around my parents' age. This MUST mean I need their career advice on the topic of nursing which, by the way, none of them know anything about! I work part time as a caregiver and my client just knows that nurse practicioners are inferior to PAs and aren't as educated. I often just change the subject and am very matter of fact especially if something they say is erroneous or just rude. Most of the time, this method works and they get the hint. I get that you'll want to argue- I definitely do sometimes. Keep in mind that opinionated people like this rarely change their mind even when confronted with facts.

There are ALWAYS going to be nay-sayers who think they know better and want to tear you down. Of course, there are people who think they're helping and don't mean any harm. Either way, just try not to take it to heart and don't let ANYONE tell you you aren't capable. You are in charge of your life decisions.

I did read your post about your cousin. It sounds like someone needs to put her in her place and tell her to shove it.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

This is why no one should ever give advice unless it's asked for.