I couldn't do your job !

[NurseLoveJoy88]

i'm a student and i work in healthcare... while at work today i was taking care of someones sick child who was vomited at my workplace, ok its my job to take care of children who are sick at school. so the parent comes in and looks at the vomit in the trash and says " i couldn't do your job". thats the first i've ever heard someone make a comment like that to me. granted i haven't been in health care long, but still.

so my question is : do people find that being a nurse is " gross" or a " dirty job". i'll be a nurse in about 5 months ( hopefully), so i was just curious. what she said really didn't upset me i just want to know if these i the comments i'll continue to hear especially when people find out i'm a nurse. thanks

[JBudd, MSN]

I've always considered it a complement! "I'm not strong enough to do what you can do" lol

I had a lady say one time she just didn't understand how I could work with all the suffering in the ER, I looked at her in some amazement and blurted out "but I do something about it!".

[EarthChild1130]

I get that comment on a daily basis, especially since I work psych (and ADORE it!) and I really like working with my guys (I work county mental health in a very rural setting). I usually ignore people unless they get really rude about my guys, and then I usually say something along the lines of 'You're right...you can't do my job.'

Nursing ain't for wimps!

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

It takes a special person to be a nurse, so no...not everyone can do it. :) Consider us a rare breed and be thankful that you are one of those who can do it and do it well. So actually when someone says they could never do what we do, its a compliment.

[AR_RN]

I do both med-surg and peds. I hear it more on the peds side, but often on the med-surg side too. Frankly, I typically consider it a complement, whether they think they're giving me one or not. :chuckle If they couldn't do it, it's a good thing I am, right?

I am usually chatting away with the patient or family while doing whatever I'm doing to prompt that response. My response is usually something along the lines of "it's all part of the job", but the truth between you and me is that not everyone's cut out for it. I'd have to be hogtied and medicated before spending a full day in, say, a preschool however, so we've all got our preferences!

[RNKel, ASN, RN]

I've never taken that comment negatively... I've always looked at it as a compliment. Glass half full, I suppose.

[I RN A]

I think that it takes a special person to be a nurse. We have to deal with a lot of things that most people wouldn't like. Think about "code brown", drawing blood, putting foleys and IVs, giving am care, getting vomit all over you scrubs. Seriously, how many people who are not in love with their profession could do this and not to hate it? It takes a lot of passion, a lot of work, a lot of caring, a lot of kidness, a lot of good listening skills to become who we are: nurses!!!