Are nurse's all that and a bag of chips?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have been a RN for 11 years now, have seen much as many of you have. One thing that continues to irk me are nurses that think because they are a nurse are somehow a cross between Florence Nightingale and Jesus--and act like it. You know, "super nurse syndrome"

I was at my local gym and saw the a T shirt that said:

I sacrificed my life, so I could save your life. I am a nurse.

Really? You sacrificed your life to be a nurse? WOW, I never realized that going to nursing school and getting a job involved life sacrifice.( like so many 100.000's people that go to college to get jobs).

GET OVER IT ALREADY, your a nurse, your not mother Theresa, you don't walk on water and you DID NOT sacrifice your life to become a nurse.

Nursing school and how hard it is, another thing that people want to whine/brag about I get tired of hearing about. Really? I'll bet becoming a chemical engineer is very hard, I'll be learning computer coding is very hard, in fact I'll bet most any college degree--they just don't hand them out for showing up. You have to work for them and earn them---just like nursing school.

What I am saying is being a nurse does not somehow set you apart from the rest of the world, or make you a better person---just because your a nurse.

Doing your job, being courteous to patients AND coworkers AND people in general is what we and everyone else on the planet should be doing----we are all members of the human family.

Specializes in Hospice.
Bugles! You can put them on your fingertips and eat one at a time like a Diva!

I like to alternate Bugles and black olives on my fingertips. [emoji41]

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I have been a RN for 11 years now, have seen much as many of you have. One thing that continues to irk me are nurses that think because they are a nurse are somehow a cross between Florence Nightingale and Jesus--and act like it. You know, "super nurse syndrome"

I was at my local gym and saw the a T shirt that said:

I sacrificed my life, so I could save your life. I am a nurse.

Really? You sacrificed your life to be a nurse? WOW, I never realized that going to nursing school and getting a job involved life sacrifice.( like so many 100.000's people that go to college to get jobs).

GET OVER IT ALREADY, your a nurse, your not mother Theresa, you don't walk on water and you DID NOT sacrifice your life to become a nurse.

Nursing school and how hard it is, another thing that people want to whine/brag about I get tired of hearing about. Really? I'll bet becoming a chemical engineer is very hard, I'll be learning computer coding is very hard, in fact I'll bet most any college degree--they just don't hand them out for showing up. You have to work for them and earn them---just like nursing school.

What I am saying is being a nurse does not somehow set you apart from the rest of the world, or make you a better person---just because your a nurse.

Doing your job, being courteous to patients AND coworkers AND people in general is what we and everyone else on the planet should be doing----we are all members of the human family.

Sad!! And disrespectful to our service members who have ACTUALLY sacrificed their lives to save ours.

Yes, I feel my job is important, but I would never put myself in the same category as our military heroes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

A few things to say about this.

First, I don't wear those t-shirts, but for those who do, I'm glad they take pride in what they do.

Second, why does it bother you so much that they do? Aren't you assuming an awful lot about that person? As a previous poster noted, it could have been a gift or they could have thought it was funny.

Last, does that mean you also feel that way about vets, EMS, firefighter, police, etc wearing shirts that say basically the same thing? What about t-shirts of people who like to knit? Are proud grandparents? Like sports?

I'm sorry. A lot of posters who I truly love on AN have agreed with you but I just can't agree with the majority on this one. If that person is so happy with their life choice that they want to wear it, let them. It doesn't affect your life at all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in kids.
Nacho Cheese please!!!

Now I want beer!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I like to alternate Bugles and black olives on my fingertips. [emoji41]

This is why I love you. One of the MANY reasons, that is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sorry. A lot of posters who I truly love on AN have agreed with you but I just can't agree with the majority on this one. If that person is so happy with their life choice that they want to wear it, let them. It doesn't affect your life at all.

Hmm.. I think that our difference of opinion is perhaps due to making different interpretations of the statement "I sacrificed my life, so I could save your life" ?

I definitely don't begrudge anyone happiness regarding their choice of profession/career. I think it's great if a nurse, or anyone else, feels happy and proud about their job. It's just that to me the statement implies that the general public owes the T shirt wearer some great debt of gratitude for their selfless act (of becoming a nurse). I'm not clear on what the sacrifice it alludes to actually entails? To me it's a job and I get a paycheck for doing it. How is it any more of a sacrifice than for someone to for example become an airline pilot who makes sure that I reach my vacation destination on some sunny beach in a speedy and comfortable manner?

I think it's fine to be happy about being a nurse, but the message on the T shirt rubs me the wrong way. I do however agree that it doesn't affect my life if someone wears said T shirt and everyone is free to wear what they want :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, psych.
Hmm.. I think that our difference of opinion is perhaps due to making different interpretations of the statement "I sacrificed my life, so I could save your life" ?

I definitely don't begrudge anyone happiness regarding their choice of profession/career. I think it's great if a nurse, or anyone else, feels happy and proud about their job. It's just that to me the statement implies that the general public owes the T shirt wearer some great debt of gratitude for their selfless act (of becoming a nurse). I'm not clear on what the sacrifice it alludes to actually entails? To me it's a job and I get a paycheck for doing it. How is it any more of a sacrifice than for someone to for example become an airline pilot who makes sure that I reach my vacation destination on some sunny beach in a speedy and comfortable manner?

I think it's fine to be happy about being a nurse, but the message on the T shirt rubs me the wrong way. I do however agree that it doesn't affect my life if someone wears said T shirt and everyone is free to wear what they want :)

This.

For the record, I tend to not notice what people are wearing unless it's so spectacularly awesome that I WANT IT. Otherwise, I rarely pay attention.

But the message on this particular t-shirt rubs me the wrong way a bit as well. Am I supposed to say thank you to the wearer? Give them a high-five? Give up my turn on the gym equipment? What?

The first thing I think of 'sacrifice,' I think selfless. Telling me in t-shirt form that I *should* be ... in gratitude (?) isn't exactly in line with selfless acts.

Definitely doesn't affect my life, but with everything in fashion (to those questionable tattoos that girl on the bike just accidentally flashed you at the gym to the unfortunate Trump 2016 T-shirt muscle man is wearing), if it attracts attention, it just might be discussed on an anonymous forum.

(AND we just increased chip sales as well)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in GENERAL.

OP: You are wise, your words speak volumes. As an older than I Vietnam vet nurse once told me, even though most often it's a nurse that stands between the patient and the Grimm Reaper, those of us who are grounded know it still "ain't nothin' but a thang." It's what we do. No medals necessary. Southeners do have a way with words. Don't you think?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Registered Nurse.

The farther I am removed from the nursing school years, the less painful it is...but I do remember it being a hell hole overall. LOL Sacrifice my life....no. However, nurses are great. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in family practice and school nursing.

My only nurse t shirt is one for Halloween, it's black and orange with a Halloween design and says "This is my Scary Halloween School Nurse Costume".

I don't feel it's necessary to advertise I'm a nurse in public.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My nurse shirt says "Do you want to talk to the doctor in charge, or the nurse who knows what's going on?"

I want one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a large bag... of Frito-Lay's with onion dip. I have worked my tuchas off and saved a few lives.

I would never toot my own horn with a shirt like that. My nurse shirt reads " Nurses Make It Better".

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment