lateral violence in school

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I'm sorry if this sounds like I am complaining but I am tired of my former class mates (I switched from biology to nursing cause I really wanted to be a nurse) saying "Oh why did you switch to nursing, was biology too hard?" I feel like that type of talk is what starts the cycle of lateral violence, even in school. For one thing, I want to be a nurse, and two nursing school is harding then biology, I would know I have been in both. The biology students end up being the PA's PT's and doctors so I feel like what goes in school is brought into the work place.

Another thing I thing is that I am tired of people saying "why don't you just be a doctor?" or "so how much more schooling would it take to become a doctor after nursing school?" (They talk like I should be a doctor) I want to be a nurse end of discussion.

Any thoughts?

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I can't tell you how many times people have said "why don't you just go be a doctor or physician assistant." Most of these people don't realize how much a nurse actually does, especially in the hospital/clinical settings. At least you actually want to be a nurse, there have been a lot of pre-pharm students in my school who switch to nursing because "the pre-reqs are easier" so I do roll my eyes at them, but if you want to be a nurse, they shouldn't care as to why you changed your major. People automatically assume that science degrees are hard and even though they can be quite difficult, especially once you get to the more advance sciences but nursing is difficult as well.

I've got the doctor thing because it's taking me 5 years to finish instead of 4 so because it's an extra year (due to the laundry list of pre-reqs) people suddenly find it a waste of time. Some people should just think before they speak but there's always gonna be non-nursing students who just don't understand.

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The sad truth is that the second paragraph I wrote had to do with older people who should know better.

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The sad truth is that the second paragraph I wrote had to do with older people who should know better.

That does make it worse!

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My piece of advice is also my new years' resolution: stop listening as soon as you realize that someone stupid is talking!!! I hear the same types of things because it's taking me so long to finish, but it's cool. These same idiots will be the same ones that will need you later.

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Do patients talk to you like this also? Like instead of looking at your name tag they call you "doctor" automatically because you are a guy?

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Specializes in ICU.

I've got to admit, I'm not sure how nursing students questioning you on why you switched majors leads to lateral violence? If anything it's a bit dissappointing to see that they think so little of their education. I'm only in the second semester of my program and we have 59 students (started with 60), but the atmosphere there is so nice and encouraging. I have not seen any evidence of what I would consider lateral violence among us.

Like others have said, I think most people (including older adults) really don't understand what a nurse does and what opportunities are out there for them. I would rather take a minute to educate the ignorant and explain why i choose the profession then to write them off as stupid people not worth my time. Why should I expect everyone around me to be experts in medical professions? I think it would be a valid concern to see someone put in 4-5 years of schools for what many think is mostly wiping butts and assisting the physician. When they realize all that a RN is responsible for and can do, the extra time in education may make more sense.

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No not the nursing students I am with now it is the biology students who are questioning me.

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