My best friend puts down being a nurse

[mindfulnursingbabe]

Every time I have a conversation with my best friend or her family about any nursing aspect or my job as a nursing assistant in med-surg (we obviously all know what my job duties are) all she ever has to say is that she "can never be a nurse" and for reasons like having to deal with other people's bodily fluids and not wanting to wipe someone's ass and that she will never do it. I don't know how to feel about this. It seems to me that she thinks all nurses do is wipe asses (l o l). I'm going to nursing school but once I work for a year or two as a nurse I do plan on applying to medical school for MY own personal reasons. However, it just bothers me that she thinks this way. I understand some people aren't apt to bodily fluids and really can't handle it but I just feel like anytime I talk about the profession that's all she has to say and it really upsets me. She wants to go to PA school but wouldn't she have to at least experience direct patient care?

[QuietIsntAWord]

Hopefully when she becomes a PA, she will have a much higher respect for nurses

[zombazomba]

Hi all, does any one know about pending meaning for nursing admission? I got a message from sfsu nursing department says pending admission!

[caliotter3]

Many of my client families in extended care home health refer to me as the babysitter or treat me as if I am only there to change soiled diapers. If I took umbrage at this all the time, I would never work. I don't get into arguments with them or even entertain the conversation, I keep my mouth shut and do my job. If you don't feel like engaging your friend when she does this to you, then just clam up at the point she makes the conversation about her and her inability to wipe posteriors. Sooner or later you should be pointed enough to make an impression upon her. When she makes the necessary remark, say something like, "I really don't like it whenever I say something about my day at work, you change the subject to how you don't care to take care of another person's basic needs." Then, take it from there. Better yet, start avoiding her. Since you mention needing support, seek friends who provide that support.

[caliotter3]

Hi all, does any one know about pending meaning for nursing admission? I got a message from sfsu nursing department says pending admission!

Have you called the department to ask what they mean?

[CaffinatedInCarolina]

Wanting to do something (PA school) and actually doing that thing are not the same. It may be envy that you can do those things whereas she feels less than capable, or maybe that this is evidence of you making strides toward your goal where perhaps she is not?

My best advice is to just let those type of comments roll off of you and change the subject.

[Wuzzie]

You need nicer friends.

[PudgeMC, ADN]

Don't PA's spend a little bit of their time in a cadaver lab while in school? That sounds a bit worse than a little bit of incontinence to me.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I'm more confused why you would waste time going to school for nursing then medical school. I'm also confused as to why she wants to be a PA.

[inthecosmos, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

You do you. Don't worry about anyone else.

[katyq82]

Nope, she can't handle it but luckily you can! Yes patient care is an important part of nursing and I think it is sad that it is so degraded. You could say something to the effect of it being actually an honor to help someone through what might be the most difficult moments of their life and whether that is giving a med or maintaining their dignity or preventing pressure ulcers you are happy to do it.

I'm in school right now and last weekend I was giving a seriously ill patient a bed bath and she started crying, expressing her fears about her new disability and what her life was going to be like going forwards. I was truly honored to hold her hand, provide therapeutic communication and be present with her during that moment. And yes, then I cleaned her backside. :) Because who needs to worry about being in a dirty brief when they are dealing with those thoughts?!? She expressed that she was used to showering every day and putting lotion on her legs daily. I was so happy that I could do that for her when she couldn't do it for herself.

I'm sure your friend has some great qualities but it is shallow to think that its all about the poop. That's on her, not you.

[maggie0, BSN, RN]

One day your friend might find herself having to take care of a sick or disabled loved one, and she'll see what important and honorable work it is.

[direw0lf, BSN]

I can relate sort of. I'd get offended if someone acted like all nurses do is wipe butt, get coffee and turkey sandwich, and make beds. But it offended me because I felt insecure at the time. Once you feel secure in what you will be as a nurse, it shouldn't bother you anymore because you will know what you do, and what matters are your patient outcomes not what a friend or anyone wants to think nurses do or don't do. It's too bad you can't talk about nursing to a friend but that's why in part these forums exist so come on here and talk to people who will "get you"! You could also explain to your friend what nurses learn and what they do. Actually, the education of a PA is very similar to a nursing student in their first year. Then they get to suture pig feet.

P.S. in my preceptorship the other day, the RN was teaching the PA how to do an ABG. But don't think like "ahah nurses rock and PAs know nothing like John Snow" all the team members are vital and have roles that if they didn't do them, no one else could do theirs either.