How to deal with hate as a Nurse since we are getting special treatment during this time?

Nurses COVID

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By the way Happy Nurses week!.

So basically I am a Nurse at my community Hospital and we have cases we used to be on outbreak but now its under control and stuff.

Patients, random people I meet at the grocery store they complain to me as they don't have jobs anymore telling me I am "lucky" to have a job. But how is it my fault that I am not unemployed? This one lady at Wal-Mart was like "my day care is closed due to Covid 19 but the Government is giving Hospitals money but not my daycare". Then I met a mutual friend who is a janitor at a mall saying that he is unemployed and struggling to pay bills but healthcare workers are lucky to pay their bills.

Then its like essential employees like grocery store workers, meat plants, and gas station workers saying why healthcare workers get pandemic pay and they don't. Always telling us how lucky we are, and I am like I am dealing directly with Covid patients what can I do? I Never asked the Government for more money.

I have been living in Canada since I was 4 years old in 2001 I am 22, moved from the Philippines but basically grew up here felt like I was born here, since 2013 I was working and not one day in this country since then have I ever been unemployed or caused a burden on the Government by taking their employment insurance program. So whats with the hate against Nurses/Healthcare workers? Are they just mad that they have no jobs?

I'm a little confused. The title asks how to "deal with hate," but the OP itself is just about people saying you're lucky to be working. I don't think that's "hate" by any means. Envy, sure, but that doesn't mean its hateful.

You ask, "are they just mad that they have no jobs?" Yes, yes, they are mad. And scared. And anxious. And depressed. They are all sorts of things that have nothing at all to do with you.

I envy people for aspects of their jobs all the time. My husband gets to travel the world, eat at nice restaurants, and stay in nice hotels - all at the company's expense. I envy people who work in creative fields - musicians, artists, actors. I can't draw a decent stick figure, but I am still green with envy of the people who get to make Pixar cartoons. Sometimes I look at small business owners and skilled tradespeople (plumbers, electricians, etc.) and think how nice it would be to be my own boss. Logically, I know there are downsides to each of those jobs, but sometimes the grass seems greener when I'm comparing it to an annoying aspect of my own job. Doesn't mean I hate any of the people who have jobs that seem better than my own.

Now there's a pandemic and we in healthcare have jobs, and others don't. Do they really want to wear (possibly inadequate) PPE all day and actually DO our jobs? Do they really want to work at extremely close quarters with COVID patients? Do they want to see people die as part of their job? Do they want to go home, strip in the garage, and run to the shower without touching their kids? No, probably not.

But they do want to pay their bills. They do want to have the dignity of going to work. And because they are scared with their own situation, all they can see is that our current situation seems like it's better. Try to have compassion for that.

So the next time someone tells you how lucky you are to have a job, acknowledge that it's true. Because we are lucky to have jobs. If you want to soften it, maybe follow that up saying, "I'm lucky to have a job, but if I could make COVID magically go away, I would. The pandemic is terrible all around. I hope things get better for you soon."

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

OP: Yes, you are fortunate to have a check to pay bills. Are you in a place that is flattening the curve too? If so, you are way more fortunate than most of your nursing counterparts will be soon!

Here in America, in additon to telling people that you hope things get better for them soon, nurses who receive these remarks should tell people to push this Congress, this Senate (which is also lead by a person who represents political view points of a small hateful conspiracy theory following minority of this county), and this incompetent, illiterate, magical-thinking, LAZY President to give them their stimulus checks so they can stay-home, save their lives, save the lives of others, and get back to work when it is safe to do so.

Reopening the country now while risking the lives of millions of working and middle class employees, their families, and the American public will not all of a sudden bring back jobs to our economy and help the virus to magically burn out. Losing millions of people to this virus all at once will grossly continue to impact our economy. Thus, staying home while getting paid to do so is the best option. Good luck to them and you because the impact COVID-19 will have on all of our lives is going on for a long time.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
On 5/10/2020 at 5:57 PM, Daisy4RN said:

Well, it doesnt sound like hate to me. There are many people who are financially hurting and as they say, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Sounds like they are simply stating the facts as they see it. I would just correct any misconceptions (if it really bothers you) and move on with your day. I wouldnt take it personally. How do random people even know what you do for a living? I tend not to worry too much about what other people think, especially those who know zero or very little about me/my life. Just bc someone is pointing out the good part of your job doesnt mean it is hateful. They are only looking at the good part bc they are hurting. Let it go and you will be a happier person for it.

Happy Nurses week to you too!

How can I have more of your attitude haha. What kind of nursing do you do. I admire your response.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.
On 5/17/2020 at 11:33 AM, EMNMRN said:

How can I have more of your attitude haha. What kind of nursing do you do. I admire your response.

Well, as they say...you spend more time worrying about what other people think about you than they actually do think about you.

When you realize that it truly is not your problem what other people think; and that it can actually do you harm you start to learn how to 'let it go'. (Notice I say learn). It is human nature to want to be liked but if you are losing your own sense of self in the process it is not good for you. It is your life, your opinions, your decisions. Live your life!

"Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner" -Lao Tzu

or, as a song lyric that I like goes...

"My give-a-damn's busted"

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Specializes in Critical Care.
On 5/19/2020 at 2:32 PM, Daisy4RN said:

Well, as they say...you spend more time worrying about what other people think about you than they actually do think about you.

When you realize that it truly is not your problem what other people think; and that it can actually do you harm you start to learn how to 'let it go'. (Notice I say learn). It is human nature to want to be liked but if you are losing your own sense of self in the process it is not good for you. It is your life, your opinions, your decisions. Live your life!

"Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner" -Lao Tzu

or, as a song lyric that I like goes...

"My give-a-damn's busted"

Love it

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