JUST a nurse

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So I recently graduated, passed my NCLEX (yay!), and started my first job as a nurse. I've run into a few people (non-healthcare) who have asked me in these exact words 'So are you going on to become a doctor or are you just nursing it?'. Or I get asked 'why didn't you go on to become a doctor?' I feel like maybe it's just a lack of knowledge about everything nurses actually do, but it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I'm not 'just nursing it'. I became a nurse because it's a calling. It's not just some job, it's a skilled profession that not everyone can do. Do any of you get asked this?

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Can't say that I have. Those closest to me know that I considered medical school but ultimately chose nursing.

In my opinion, nurses are the backbone of healthcare. Without us, the whole thing would crumble.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Opinions. Yours free for the taking (Googling):

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/just-a-nurse-439003.html

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/just-a-nurse-241.html

http://justanurse.wordpress.com

http://www.nursingdegrees.com/nursing-articles/nursing-questions/profile10

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Do any of you get asked this?

No, I'm never asked why I didn't become a doctor. Many people automatically assume I'm a housekeeper, unit secretary, dietary aide or nursing assistant before expressing surprise at the fact that I'm an RN and the house supervisor.

However, I should mention that I'm an African-American female, so I belong to a racial/ethnic group that is associated with negative stereotypes regarding educational attainment and professional roles. Essentially, few (if any) people are going to ever openly wonder why I didn't become a physician.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

As I have said in another thread, I one time was getting ready to discharge a young woman, when her boyfriend asked a question about what the doctor had just been in saying. The girl interrupted with "don't ask her she's just the nurse!" I stood straight up, looked her in the eye and said "I am a highly educated health care professional, not "just" a nurse". Turned and answered the question appropriately, explained all the stuff she had had done and why it was safe to go home. She looked embarrassed, but thanked me and we got along "just" fine after that.

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As I have said in another thread, I one time was getting ready to discharge a young woman, when her boyfriend asked a question about what the doctor had just been in saying. The girl interrupted with "don't ask her she's just the nurse!" I stood straight up, looked her in the eye and said "I am a highly educated health care professional, not "just" a nurse". Turned and answered the question appropriately, explained all the stuff she had had done and why it was safe to go home. She looked embarrassed, but thanked me and we got along "just" fine after that.

Ah, but that's where my True Snark comes to the surface. When presented with the attitude "she can't know anything", I just smile knowingly and agree with them! As in "why are you asking her? She won't know the answer".....and I put on a bright shiny smile, obviously fake sincerity, and say "you are SO right. I don't know anything at all!" and walk away. You just KNOW the person then realizes that was a pretty stupid thing to say....and no, they aren't getting their answers any time soon ;)

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

My snark must have boojummed on me that night. :smokin:

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No, I'm never asked why I didn't become a doctor. Many people automatically assume I'm a housekeeper, unit secretary, dietary aide or nursing assistant before expressing surprise at the fact that I'm an RN and the house supervisor.

However, I should mention that I'm an African-American female, so I belong to a racial/ethnic group that is associated with negative stereotypes regarding educational attainment and professional roles. Essentially, few (if any) people are going to ever openly wonder why I didn't become a physician.

lol you go girl!

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Never had anyone ask me this but it crosses my mind because I was pre med before I went to nursing school

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

I've never been asked this question by someone who wasn't me.

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No, I'm never asked why I didn't become a doctor. Many people automatically assume I'm a housekeeper, unit secretary, dietary aide or nursing assistant before expressing surprise at the fact that I'm an RN and the house supervisor.

However, I should mention that I'm an African-American female, so I belong to a racial/ethnic group that is associated with negative stereotypes regarding educational attainment and professional roles. Essentially, few (if any) people are going to ever openly wonder why I didn't become a physician.

I said the exact same thing about being regularly mistaken for unlicensed personnel and my non minority coworkers sorta dismissed it.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

The Intensivist and an NP student were discussing my patient and, referring to something I had said, the NP student commented oh she's just a nurse.

But two weeks later her name was in the paper for drunk driving so now she's just a nurse too.

And not very welcome in that ICU.

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