Nursing as a CAREER

Nurses General Nursing

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My boyfriend feels that nursing is just a JOB and not a career. I have considered both clinical psychology and medical school- and also, nursing. I love the idea of being able to deliver babies or work in PICU, so I would probably pursue pediatrics or OB/GYN in medical school. I also have a passion for mental health, but I want to be able to do medical management, which a psychologist cannot do. If I did become a nurse, I would definitely plan on becoming an NP, maybe a DNP, and I would love to get my PhD and be able to do medical/nursing research.

The other day my bf told me that although nurses make a difference, its not really making a difference or leaving an impact on the world because "anyone could take your place" :angryfire This really pissed me off. I've always believed it takes a special kind of person to take care of people the way that nurses do. He wants to be a doctor and I think mainly that he wants me to go to medical school with him. But he also seems to think that anything less than a doctorate is an inadequate education and a waste of my life. :trout:

I love (the idea of) nursing for its flexibility and huge array of career options. I am incredibly nervous about the first year of nursing when I'm all green and don't know what the hell I am doing. I'm a sensitive person, and an anxious one, and part of me does worry that nursing will chew me up and spit me out. I've always wanted to pursue doctoral level education and to teach and write, and I don't know if I can pursue those goals in nursing. BUT there are tremendous opportunities in nursing. So I'm feeling stuck.

Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I'd lose the dud(e) and keep the career. As llg says, this is a glimpse into what your life is going to be like. Doesn't sound at all supportive.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.
The idea that nurses are replaceable is a truth, and so are all professionals, as TheCommuter said. I think that what he is saying is that nurses are more replaceable, however, because they have less education than a doctor/psychologist. Still, I think that there may be many nurses, but they are not all good nurses, or experienced nurses, or compassionate nurses...and so it seems that people are replaceable, but only to an extent.

I will not be rethinking my decision to be with him, but I am disappointed in what he has expressed to me- his opinions about the nursing profession. I believe that when he begins work as a CNA he will learn much more about the profession, however, and it will change his attitude. I truly think he believes that for me, I deserve something more than nursing because I won't be satisfied. I might not be satisfied as a floor nurse, but I do think an NP or university prof would be a fufilling job.

After more conversation I found out that he was actually trying to belittle my nursing aspirations because he wants a partner to do this med school thing with. He is afraid of doing it and since I am generally supportive, well organized, there to help him out when he needs it...I think he just wants a med school companion. He was supportive about me being a psychologist, too, but I think once again that was because he is biased about me 1/ staying in school as long as he does and 2/getting a doctoral level degree.

*sigh* I dunno what to do. I really want to be a doctor, but I am afraid of the coursework. And that is the plain smelly truth. :trout:

sweetie, just be a doctor and be done with it. if you already know what will be fulfilling to you there is no sense in doing something you really don't want to. in order to be a good Nurse Practitioner you need to be a good nurse first. don't "settle" for being a nurse because you think the coursework is less challenging than that of a physician. nursing school is not easy. and anything worth having usually isn't. good luck with your decision.

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Go the doctor route. It is a lot of work during pre-med and medical school, but I don't see them crawling around on the floor like most nurses do after 10 hours of shift work.

Most nurses get in their Pinto's or old Gremlins and drive home on worn out tires, hoping not to run out of gas. Doctors go the the big boy parking lot and get into their Benz or Bemmers and fly off down the street with the top down.

My advise is to lose your boyfriend. You don't need dope like that putting down people that work for a living.

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I THINK I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE and I am a pre-nursing student, but I wouldn't want an attitude of a doctor or a boyfriend like that!

Where would the medical profession be without good nurses?!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

After more conversation I found out that he was actually trying to belittle my nursing aspirations because he wants a partner to do this med school thing with. He is afraid of doing it and since I am generally supportive, well organized, there to help him out when he needs it...I think he just wants a med school companion. He was supportive about me being a psychologist, too, but I think once again that was because he is biased about me 1/ staying in school as long as he does and 2/getting a doctoral level degree.

*sigh* I dunno what to do. I really want to be a doctor, but I am afraid of the coursework. And that is the plain smelly truth. :trout:

He was trying to manipulate your career choice just to meet his selfish needs? He thinks he is too weak to do it by himself, so he tried to manipulate one of the most important decisions of your life so that you could help him? Is he going to continue to USE you in that way for the rest of your lives together?

Listen ... if what you really want to be is a physician, then be a physician. Research the career and if you would still choose to be a physician even if this guy were not in your life, then be a physician. It's an honorable career path.

But so is nursing. Nurses get PhD's and can be full college professors, do research, publish, etc. just like the professors in other disciplines. Don't eliminate nursing as a career choice because you don't know about those possibilities if that is the type of work you want to do. Research ALL your options and then choose the career path that is right for you -- regardless of your boyfriend's personal desire for a helpmate through med school. As an experience middle-aged nurse, I have seen many young doctors divorce their wives who supported them through med school. Your choice of a life partner and your choice of a career for YOU should be 2 separate decisions at this stage of your life.

llg, PhD, RN

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Specializes in OB.
The idea that nurses are replaceable is a truth, and so are all professionals, as TheCommuter said. I think that what he is saying is that nurses are more replaceable, however, because they have less education than a doctor/psychologist. Still, I think that there may be many nurses, but they are not all good nurses, or experienced nurses, or compassionate nurses...and so it seems that people are replaceable, but only to an extent.

I will not be rethinking my decision to be with him, but I am disappointed in what he has expressed to me- his opinions about the nursing profession. I believe that when he begins work as a CNA he will learn much more about the profession, however, and it will change his attitude. I truly think he believes that for me, I deserve something more than nursing because I won't be satisfied. I might not be satisfied as a floor nurse, but I do think an NP or university prof would be a fufilling job.

After more conversation I found out that he was actually trying to belittle my nursing aspirations because he wants a partner to do this med school thing with. He is afraid of doing it and since I am generally supportive, well organized, there to help him out when he needs it...I think he just wants a med school companion. He was supportive about me being a psychologist, too, but I think once again that was because he is biased about me 1/ staying in school as long as he does and 2/getting a doctoral level degree.

*sigh* I dunno what to do. I really want to be a doctor, but I am afraid of the coursework. And that is the plain smelly truth. :trout:

Linzyann - The people who are advising you to rethink your relationship are saying so out of concern. Many of us are probably considerably older than you and have "been there/done that". A partner who would use manipulation and put-downs to influence you to follow a course he wants or give up a course that you want in order to make himself more comfortable or fulfill his needs is selfish. In almost every case he will continue this behavior and the put downs any and every time you do not agree or cooperate to his benefit on any issue. This behavior may escalate if he sees you becoming more confident or independent. It will function this way in every area of your life.

In deciding what career choice you should make, try considering it from the aspect of "What choice would I make if there were no other influences to affect me?" (as in relationships or cost or status). The one that makes you feel fulfilled is the one you should pursue no matter what. When you are young and without other obligations (such as children to support) is the time you can find a way to do anything.

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The Commuter is right- but I think the OP's boyfriend is by far the most replaceable person mentioned in this thread.

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Specializes in ICU.

This just steams me!!

First, let me say MDs are amazing and I have the utmost respect for their profession/skills/knowledge. That said . . .

A good nurse is worth their weight in GOLD, as is a good physician. I'd like to see any MD care for patients the way nurses do. Many of them just plain could NOT do it. It takes a special person to be a nurse!

If your bf thinks nurses are replaceable and that nursing is just a job, he has another THINK coming! I'd like to see him shadow an RN in a busy teaching facility, level one Trauma ICU. I'd like to see him shadow a nurse that takes care of six patients. I'd like to see him travel from home to home seeing and caring for patients and families. And when I say care, I mean the body, mind, and spirit care that nurses give. We're not just paper pushers and pill poppers!!

Nurses are one of the fundamental elements of medical care!! We are the eyes, we are the ears, and frequently we are the hearts. What do the physicians rely on to make medical decisions? The NURSE'S assessment. Who do the physicians rely on to react to patient status changes? The NURSES!! I could make you a huge list!!

I'd like to see a physician run 24 hour dialysis (CVVH), which is a NURSING specialty certification (or any dialysis machine for that matter). I'd like to see a physician use a level one rapid infuser to save the life of patient bleeding out. I'd like to see a physician even program an IV pump. I'd like to see a physician infuse ACLS code drugs. Do you know how many physicians don't know how to use an IV? I could go on and on!!!

Nursing is a specialized profession with a unique body of knowledge and research and a unique skill set. We cannot do without nurses and we cannot do without physicians!! Nursing is a freaking AWESOME CAREER!!!

Please don't view this as an anti-physician campaign. MDs are amazing and I have the utmost respect for their profession/skills/knowledge. I just hate ignorant statements and maligned views of any professions.

I could have gone to medical school. I CHOSE to go to into nursing.

Your bf is going to have a very hard life road ahead of him with that kind of ego and that kind of blind ignorance. If he takes that stance on a profession, I'd hate to see his views about the larger issues in life. . .

Oh, and PS, nurses have higher education and specializations just like physicians do. There are several ways for nurses to achieve a doctorate. You could be a PhD RN, a DNP, you could be a CRNA, and as a Nurse Practitioner you have many specialty fields to choose from. Also, if you wanted to be a bedside nurse there are numerous specializations to choose from. You can serve as a first assist in the OR as a nurse and harvest the saphenous vein while the physician is cutting open the sternum for a coronary bypass surgery. We have preceptorships or mentorships and physicians have residencies - big deal! We have unit specific education and bodies of knowledge. We have specialty certifications. Nurses can spend just as much time in school as a physician can. And, P.S., nurses can make about the same salary as a physician!! My mother is an ARNP and my dad is an MD - they make the same salary. My mom works acute care and teaches the new resident physicians how to do their jobs (knowledge and skills). My father works in family practice. Go figure!!

Here's something I've learned. You get out of education what you put into it! The same goes for life. You have to find where your passion is and go for it. Don't let someone else's opinion keep you from doing what you want to do. It's just as competitive to get into nursing school as it is to get into medical school. You will learn different skill sets depending on which path you choose, but neither path will be easy.

Good luck!!

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Nursing is a Profession . You're boyfriend is ill-informed.

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FYI, by 2015 entry level for being a nurse practitioner will require a doctorate. It's called the Doctor of Nurse Practice, meaning nurse practitioners will be called doctors bedside. So, if you plan on becoming a nurse practitioner, doctorate will probably be your only option. Let your future MD boyfriend eat that....lol (just kidding)

A lot of MDs aren't very happy about that change.

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