Is it just me or is this offensive?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ICU, Tele, Dialysis.

Hi everybody! I work in a cardiology office after many years in the trenches. We have a nuc med tech that does our stresses and today she's telling me about this cousin of hers who is a CRNA and is so brilliant and says to me: "she is so smart, she really should have been a doctor, not a nurse". Weelllll, I didn't say anything but I was thinkin, 'scuse ME?!!!! So I pose the question, am I just being sensitive? This isn't the first of this kind of remark, opinion etc. So what do you think?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

In the general perception lens of the public, doctors (specifically MDs) have more occupational prestige than nurses. In fact, physicians rank #1 on all occupation prestige surveys internationally. This has been proven many times through sociological studies.

Society considers doctors 'brilliant' and 'noble', whereas nurses are regarded as 'trustworthy', 'helpful', and 'pink-collar.' This is just the way things are.

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i would say that it was pretty tacky. does she think a na program is easy?

hi everybody! i work in a cardiology office after many years in the trenches. we have a nuc med tech that does our stresses and today she's telling me about this cousin of hers who is a crna and is so brilliant and says to me: "she is so smart, she really should have been a doctor, not a nurse". weelllll, i didn't say anything but i was thinkin, 'scuse me?!!!! so i pose the question, am i just being sensitive? this isn't the first of this kind of remark, opinion etc. so what do you think?
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Specializes in neuro, trauma, med-surg.
In the general perception lens of the public, doctors (specifically MDs) have more occupational prestige than nurses. In fact, physicians rank #1 on all occupation prestige surveys internationally. This has been proven many times through sociological studies.

Society considers doctors 'brilliant' and 'noble', whereas nurses are regarded as 'trustworthy', 'helpful', and 'pink-collar.' This is just the way things are.

Well, it doesn't have to be...that is why there is a Center for Nursing Advocacy (nursingadvocacy.org), why nurses need to respond to those comments personally and publicly with thoughtful, intelligent answers! Education!!!

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I would say it was extremely offensive. Next time, speak up! We all hear things like this and these are opportunities to defend the profession, educate someone who previously didn't know any better, and in the process raise our own prestige. It's all about spreading the knowlegde of our roles so tha thte public is better informed.

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

That is so ironic you would bring that up because I am in human anatomy now and am totally obsessive about my school work, yada yada...

Classmates keep saying you have such good study skills, why arent you becoming a doctor?

I always respond with some sort of witty remark back about how I want to have a life, etc hehe but it does hurt my feelings.

I think it is offensive.

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Specializes in Gastroenterology; and Primary Care.

I have this problem too! I am a LPN going thru Excelsior I only have my CPNE left.......anyhow everytime I get an "A" on my exams my MIL always says you are so smart you could be a doctor! Or she will say you should have gone to medical school! It always grates on my nerves! :devil:

I do find my self intelligent and full of common sense, but I don't want to be a doctor! People always downplay the fact that I want to be a CNM...

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Specializes in ICU, Tele, Dialysis.

Earlier this week this same tech asked if my 20 yr old daughter wanted to get into nursing and I said "no, after watching me at it all these years, she decided it wasn't for her, she wanted to be a pharmacist" to which she responds, "well, that's even harder, they have to stand all day". I didn't say anything to that either, didn't want to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed person, I do have my ethics!!:rotfl:

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It's bad enough when the general public makes such uneddicated comments, but when it comes from within, it's even worse.

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Specializes in ICU, Tele, Dialysis.
It's bad enough when the general public makes such uneddicated comments, but when it comes from within, it's even worse.

Tazzi, you may be right, her remarks kind of make me think maybe she and are aren't from the same team (healthcare) after all. Although the more I think about it I'm not even sure we're from the same planet! Seriously though, I thought about trying to say something to her but I don't think she'd have a clue, I suppose that's why I'm whining to you nice folks! Thanks for listening, btw!

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Specializes in Obstetrics.

This person clearly is unaware of what nursing is about. I've had that exact statement said to me and I fumed! I was insulted just like yourself, and in my opinion-rightfully so!

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Specializes in Med/Surg; Psych; Tele.
Hi everybody! I work in a cardiology office after many years in the trenches. We have a nuc med tech that does our stresses and today she's telling me about this cousin of hers who is a CRNA and is so brilliant and says to me: "she is so smart, she really should have been a doctor, not a nurse". Weelllll, I didn't say anything but I was thinkin, 'scuse ME?!!!! So I pose the question, am I just being sensitive? This isn't the first of this kind of remark, opinion etc. So what do you think?

I would have been ok if she would have said...."Oh, she is so smart, she shoulda been a doctor" and left it at that, but the "not a nurse" part would have upset me too.

I just PMed you about something totally unrelated. I don't know if this site gives you some kind of warning that you have a PM - I just wanted to try and get you while you were on-line right now.

Thanks!

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