Has anyone ever put down your career choice?

[Servingshots]

Have people ever put you down for your choice in Nursing? I was having a conversation with an old friend and we talked about school and such. When I stated I will be graduating soon this individual made a comment on how I can soon start my career in wiping peoples butt's. This person stated they were joking but it clearly was an attempt to put me down (which isnt unusual for this person).

Does anyone else get angry when people are ignorant to what nurses do?

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

Orangeroom , Ah thats too bad... I wish people would be happy for each other.

As a side note, I have had a horrible time being happy for my fellow students who got jobs at the hospital where we went to school before I did. Because they told us that if we did not extern we would be on the bottom of the list when it came to getting jobs - then gave jobs to non-externs before us externs. I just could not stand to see on Facebook over and over "I got a job at blankety blank!" and be happy for them! Of course, this is coming from someone who had a lawyer job lined up 9 months before graduating from law school, lol

[megan_EMT]

Originally my parents weren't that supportive of my switch to nursing - until I proved to them that I was picking nursing because I wanted to be a nurse, not because I was looking to take easier classes (yeah, I started school studying medical physics, all the fun of a physics major plus bio + o-chem). Once I explained why I wanted to be a nurse, they understood and became incredibly supportive.

My grandfather on the other hand still won't admit that his granddaughter is going to do something as low and menial as nursing. He still tells everyone that I'm going to be anesthesiologist (which I never considered)...I told him that we can talk when he's ready to acknowledge me for me.

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

I find most people to be supportive. The only negative I could say is so many people don't realize how hard nursing is and I don't think the major itself gets the credit deserves. I think if more of my family understood how time consuming it is they might help me out more. I have two very young kids and my husband works a ton so I don't have too. One nice thing is my school actually hosts an event for family to see what it's gonna be like.

[RNCEN]

The only person that ever gave me a hard time was the president of the company I used to work for...but he was ticked because I quit.

[mspontiac]

More often than not, I find that people in the general population are supportive. My husband is an RN and when he says what he does, he gets the "Oh, okay," with a positive tone of voice and a nod of approval. When people ask what I do, I tell them I am in nursing school and get, "Good for you!"

My only naysayer has been my sister in law. Now, I am 41 and she is only 24, so we have the generational difference going on, but she's also a very self-centered, immature, miserable person to boot.

I see her maybe once a year, and she spends the whole time slinging underhanded insults at me. She started school with the intention of doing Occupational Therapy. Then she switched to Biophysics. Then she said she was pursuing Pharmacy. When it became apparent that she can barely pass her classes, let alone get accepted to Pharmacy school, she said she was going to be a Physician's Assistant. This is the same person who said to me, "I would never want to be a nurse and wipe asses all day. I hate old people. They stink," with so much vitrol in her voice that it was almost confrontational. My husband (her brother) and I both set her straight fast. What's sad is that she thinks she would be good as a PA, when she can't stand the elderly? The girl has no business being anywhere near health care, because she has zero compassion for anyone but herself. I think she's better suited with a career as a stripper, actually...and I'm only half-kidding.

[newRNstudent02]

As a freshman at a really great University, I had dreams of becoming a Veterinarian. Anyhow, college has a way of destroying your dreams and I had to come up with a back-up plan: nursing. I'm really proud of my new chosen profession and I know I will be a great nurse, but I'm so hurt when the people closest to me are ashamed that I want to be a nurse. It's frustrating when you have to tell people over and over how great nursing is, and more often then not, people tell me that I'm a glorified ass-wiper with a sweet paycheck. It's in my nature to laugh most of the time, but damn, sometimes I really want to shank them...yeah, only half-kidding too (sorta)

[dizzyelizzy]

In my opinion, it doesn't matter if you are wiping butts or administering life saving medications... you are HELPING people. And that is more than most of the world can say.

[jobo.84]

the opinions of others, many of whom are unhappy in their career, is pointless. opt for what choice you like in the current term and thank Satan that you will always have options to change if needed/wanted. dont cry like a typical nurse, but rather enjoy the journey.

[suanna]

I don't think I have ever had anyone compliment or admire my career choice. If I do a great job I get "you aught to have been a doctorl" if I miss something- well- Nurses don't make mistakes ever do we? so I'm obviously not right for this job. My father wanted to know how long I had to be a nurse before they let me become a doctor. Even I wonder "what was I thinking" from time to time.