How to handle peoples objections to nursing?

by colleen10
Jan 15, '02   Views: 2,886   Comments: 22

  1. Hi everyone,

    I have said this on my other posts but am pretty new to posting to the "Student Nursing " section. I am 26, live in Pittsburgh, PA am married and have a BS degree in Agricultural Science. I have most of the requisites for nursing school all ready and am currently trying to finish up a few pre-req's like Psych, Anatomy & Phys., etc. I begin my first class in a few days. I work fulltime during the day and will take the bulk of my pre-req.s in the evenings. After being laid off from an Information Tech. company I am now working as a secretary in a very small sales office to pay for nursing school.

    The reason I am writing is because I am wondering if any of you, especially the more mature gals that are going into nursing, have had situations like I am going to describe.

    I am really tired of people telling me "you don't want to go into nursing". For example, I was talking with one of my co-workers today who asked me about the classes I am taking. I told him that I am in pre-nursing and he immeadiately chimmed in with reasons not to go into nursing. How "I may have the personality for it now, but he'd like to see me in 5 years", etc. As if making him coffee and doing his typing is my dream job.

    I have a lot of support from family members and even people that I used to work with at my last job are excited that I'm going back to school and think that I will make a good nurse but it's really frustrating dealing with people who upon hearing "nursing school" go on rants and raves and tell me that I don't want to be a nurse.

    Has this happened to any of you out there? I'm really excited about going back to school but when I run into these people it brings me down. Any good rebutals out there?
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  2. Visit colleen10 profile page

    About colleen10

    Joined: Jan '01; Posts: 1,761; Likes: 46
    pre-nursing student, secretary - non-medical

    22 Comments

    Topic Closed
  3. by Ortho_RN
    Jan 15, '02
    Ignore them!! If you want to go into nursing then do it.. Noone lives your life but you.... I hear people telling me all the time, why don't you pick something else, go into computers... Well that isn't what I want to do... And I know for a fact I will never have to worry about not having a job... You will always run into negative people, but you just have to grin and ignore them...
  4. by Hooligan
    Jan 15, '02
    Hi...I have the same problem and here's what I personally think...right now I'm overpaid for what I do (I make a little over 30K a year and screw around on the internet all day...I also get five weeks of paid vacation as well as 2 weeks paid sick leave). So as you can see, I have what some would consider a "dream job." Furthermore, both my bosses are also wonderful people who always give me the week in between x-mas and new years off as a "gift" (so let's say 6 weeks pd. vacation). When I told my dad I wanted to go to nursing school he FLIPPED!!!!!!! You see, he's an "old school" electricion who believes that once you get a job (expecially as kooshy as mine) you keep it till you either retire or die. He also ranted about the working conditions etc...

    So basically what I'm saying here is that I'm willing to give all this up for doing something I think I'll like. They could hire a monkey to do what I do right now and I feel like my brain is rotting!!!! Here's the way I see it...I would rather be underpaid for doing what I like than overpaid for doing what I hate! Let's face it...most of your "good years" will be spent working...so you may as well try and find something you like doing so when you die the day after you retirement you wont feel so bad!

    Just my opinion!!!

    ~Bean
  5. by marieoct62
    Jan 15, '02
    Hi Colleen,
    I am a bit older than you I am now 39 and a junior nursing student. I have heard the negative comments but they usually come from disgruntled nurses. I have had wonderful support from my family (husband, 4 boys and also brothers and parents). If you feel in your heart that nursing is what you want to do then you go for it girl!! Don't let other peoples negative remarks make you have second thoughts. I do not regret one single day of the past 3 1/2 years of nursing school and am really looking forward to practicing nursing full time.
    Keep your chin up!
  6. by GPatty
    Jan 15, '02
    You will forever have people telling you what to do or what not to do. You chose the profession you wanted, just as we all did. If you feel you have been called to nursing, don't let the sad remarks bring you down. It's not worth it. I am proud to be going into nursing. And when I become a nurse. WOW! A NURSE!!! ME???
    HECK YEA!!!!!AND A DARN GOOD ONE!!!! (Just like you will be.)

    Keep pushing ahead!!!
    Julie
  7. by MRed94
    Jan 15, '02
    I just smile gracefully and say, "It is what I want to do. Thank you for your opinion."

    And I walk away.

    Nuf said.

    Marla
  8. by colleen10
    Jan 16, '02
    Thank you to everyone that responded to my post!

    It really lifted my spirits to know that I am not the only one this happens to.

    I mean really, have these people just gotten off the rude bus? I would never imagine saying something like that to someone. People should have better manners.

    Although it isn't very "nurse like", sometimes I just want to say "Well, with that attitude you best hope you're never on my floor" and walk away.
  9. by janmae1950
    Jan 21, '02
    That smart mouth that's telling you what you shouldn't want to do has probably never spent a minute under a nurse's care in the hospital. He sounds like he's on a high yuppie horse - that's why I'm tired of the office world myself and going into nursing. At least when the higher ups get on your case, you have a needy patient to turn your attention to. I have over 20 years office experience and am fed up with the layoffs, and not getting paid for my experience.

    I'm 51 now and am encouraged to read about people around my age making the change to nursing. I'm still in pre-reqs; but today I started training for a CNA position at a local long term care facility. My sister is an LPN although she doesn't practice anymore; she works for a non-profit agency. I think she's secretly excited I'm going into nursing. She called me a little while ago to hear all about what I've learned so far. Hopefully you will find someone too who will share your enthusiasm and make up for all the naysayers!

    Best wishes!
  10. by Stacey
    Jan 21, '02
    I'm frequently accused of making weird choices. But I think the truth is that often people "groupthink" their decisions. I'm nearly always happy with what I choose to do. Noone knows you as well as you do.





    P.S
    Does anyone else get "You're too smart to be a nurse?" that one drives me nuts. I know for a fact that nurses are very intelligent people and I just want to scream!
  11. by betts
    Jan 21, '02
    I was hoping to do something meaningful with my life.

    Because I think it would take all the spontaneity out of making your coffee.

    Nobody would believe me in white.

    If I wanted your opinion,I'd given it too you.

    Best of Luck!
  12. by crnasomeday
    Jan 22, '02
    lol Betts! The "if I wanted your opinion..." thing reminds me of my husband, only the tail end of his remark goes "....I'd beat it out of you." lol
  13. by old-master
    Jan 22, '02
    When I came out with my goal of becoming a RN, everyone was supportive. Some people did say, "Why not be a MD or DO?" "You know the field of nursing is filled with women?" Well, no kidding?
    Some people think that the money is the only reason. Yeah, and I just love biochem that much to study night after night.
    No, I want to be a nurse. It's a calling, like being a Jedi.
    So, anyone says bad things about nursing, tell them that they will be gald that you are a nurse and a good one when they are in hospital need your help.

    Become a nurse, and help the world, your goal is a wonderful one. Be proud!
    Cheers!
    And may the force be with you!
    old-master has spoken.....
  14. by Katnip
    Jan 23, '02
    Oh, I get that all the time from people. Don't worry about it. I have an acquaintance who made the stangest face when I mentioned I was going into nursing instead of medicine-she's was a chem major, did some minor research and now works as a guide in a little museum I think she thought I was wasting my talent and intelligence-it's obvious that most people don't understand just what nursing entails.

    Others are the same-why don't you go to med school? You're smart enough! But they don't understand the differences of the progession.

    Really, do what you want to do. Ignore the naysayers.

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