Misperceptions of Nursing

[MiahMSN]

So I'm taking a CNA course so I can work as a CNA during my MEPN program in the fall. I was talking to two of my cousins and one was like "oh, CNA where you have to turn people and wipe their butts? Eww, you can do that?"

And then another, whom received her PHD in clinical psychology this year wants to know "why nursing? why not just go to the pinnacle and become a doctor? why stop at nursing, when you can do more?"

Between the two of them, I almost popped a vein! Misperceptions of nursing, whether RN, LVN or CNA, still exist, but come on now. Mind you, these are two women in their 30s, so it's not like their from the "olden days"

What are some of the misperceptions of nursing that make you want to turn into a cussing sailor?

[littleneoRN]

When people ask why I didn't become a physician, I use it as an opportunity to education them on what I see as the differences between physicians and nurses. And why I feel like nursing is a better fit for me. Not that either is better than the other, but simply that they are different types of work, and I love nursing because.... blah blah blah. Of course people have misperceptions, just like about lots of other things, but it's not necessarily a reason for me to get any fire under my butt. :)