Help - I am interested in nursing but worried about the level of respect

LPNweezy · Apr 9, 2011

Your going to have a lot of people who do not understand how you feel tell you to "get over it", "who cares what others think"- etc. its not that easy, it sure is easy to say tho- if your not that kind of a person. Personally, i think nurses are very respected, and with that respect, comes jealousy. People are jealous of us nurses and they love to try to rain on our parade. thats my opinion, people have a hard time seeing other's views.

People cannot see outside of their own little narrow-minded view. You do not have to change yourself as a person to be a nurse- not every nurse is the same. and having emotions, thats okay too. some people might even tell you that isn't okay :icon_roll

This is a little off subject, but prepare to hear things like that when you ask questions. sometimes old nurses forget what its like to be new.

headinsandRN · Apr 9, 2011

If you plan to become a nurse I suggest you toughen up and stop being too sensitive.

Not being able to keep your emotions in check is a great way to come off as being unprofessional and an easy target for those who want to toy with you for their amusement.

ktliz · Apr 9, 2011

I'm not a fan of Scrubs (not my type of humor), but if it's your favorite show, I wouldn't be too concerned about how it portrays nurses. I mean, look at the way it portrays doctors. :lol2:

caliotter3 · Apr 9, 2011

I would not spend so much mental energy on this. Just go into the profession, or any other line of work, with your eyes open. Everyone has to cope with some level of unpleasantness on their way to the bank to cash their paycheck. Best to spend time and energy to learn coping skills to deal with day to day lack of "respect".

Chin up · Apr 9, 2011

Nursing has always had a positive image with the public. We are respected and this is a respected profession. Shows like Scrubs are satire, and most view as such. Regardless, you have to go into nursing, because you respect it. Do you like it, is that what you want to do for a career? Yes, you will find disrespect in some areas, but that is in every profession. I am getting ready to graduate law school and hot dag, you should see the power positioning already, between students, depending on what field you are majoring. Litigators are real Lawyers, tax lawyers are fake. Corporate attorneys are slimy benjaminites, whilst the, if you never become a judge or politician, you have wasted your "gift". To the," if you don't serve the disenfranchised, you are greedy scum". Sound familiar? In all things, it is how you make it. But I will tell you this, if nursing is embarrassing to you, find something else to do. We nurses, and even those of us who complain the most are, " proud of what we do." We are also closer than we put out. Yes, we b*tch and moan about nursing, but will pounce, when an outsider says the same thing. We may fight amongst ourselves, but will stand with our own if necessary. We are territorial and proud of our "hood". Peace!

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2011

Maybe it depends on where you live, but where I am from, nursing is very respected.

No matter what profession you work in there will be difficult people and you might feel disrespected at times. As a nurse, however, you will be surrounded by many other healthcare professionals who will respect you. You will also get respect from most of your patients and families who appreciate what you do.

Ultimately, I went into nursing because I love what I do. I love to care for and help others. If I get respect, it's a bonus. If not, I still go home at the end of the day knowing that I did a great job and feeling proud to be a nurse.

meggo · Apr 9, 2011

Don't pick a profession based on what other people think. If you're going to spend 40 years doing something it needs to be because YOU love it. A few weeks into my nursing program my instructor told me that I'd never make it and 2 years later I stood in front of her as she put honors cords around my neck. I made it because I love nursing and I was willing to work hard at it. As a nurse you do have to put up with bad attitudes and bad situations but you can't take those times as a personal reflection of yourself or your worth. The public has misconceptions about most professions (in my opinion). In nursing you will be disrespected by some and you will be given the utmost respect by others. Did you know that nursing is consistently one of the top trusted professions by the public? The public wouldn't trust us with their lives and the lives of their loved ones if they thought we were idiots.

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2011

I feel very respected in my position.

MrSpock · Apr 9, 2011

Don't worry, I feel your pain. I'm a nursing student and I worked my butt off to get into nursing school, only to have people tell me I'm going to school to be a butt wiper. I just learned to ignore them, because it's useless to try and explain what nursing is all about.

Guest717236 · Apr 9, 2011

First, respect yourself and your decision. If you feel you would enjoy nursing,

focus on school to get your BSN. Find a specialty you love, and chart

your career course. You will make a difference for many people, and many

patients appreciate you, as will their families. As with many careers, there

will be the difficult and impossible clients and their family. They would be

the same clients if you were their lawyer, accountant, or car mechanic.

People are who they are, and some are never pleased.

Focus on the good aspects of nursing , and the other issues will pale.

Lack of respect from other heath care workers is a whole other issue.

You will learn to navigate right through this as you keep your nursing goals

first -you will have many patients who will need your care....

Best wishes!

glencovediva · Apr 9, 2011

Respect is earned, not learned. You need to toughen up and not be so sensitive. You should only care what you think about yourself, not what others think about you.