What is the most annoying stereotype that you have directly come across. We all know the naughty nurse one. I'm talking more along the lines of, what have you personally had to deal with?
Mine: Well, if you were smarter wouldn't you have become a doctor?
Well, I didn't become a doctor because I understand that they have to devote more time
and effort into a job than I would like to. To me, a job is a job. Life is what happens when
you're NOT at work. I don't want my whole life to revolve around work. I would like to take
vacations and not be on call, have kids and actually RAISE them. THAT, you idiot, is why
Honestly most of the family members who ask if I'm going to become a physician next. So many people assume that because you are a nurse means the next step of being a doctor. They get confused when I say it's a completely different bachelors degree, than med school, then resident training, etc. So may people do not understand the concept that it is 2 different professions.
That sexy nurse thing? I WAS THAT SEXY NURSE 30 -plus years ago!!! If only I could fit into those skimpy size 8 white dresses again......to be young, and sexy, and thin again......sighhhhhh!
Now back to reality. I get really peeved at all the 'nurses' in the doctors' offices, especially when the doc says the nurse will be back to do xxxx, when the doc knows that the person in question is NOT a registered or licensed individual. It scares me now to think of all the vaccines my kids received that were probably given by techs. Not the vaccines per se, but that the shots were given by someone who had ten minutes of instruction.
It annoyed me that more than a few of my classmates (think 30+ years ago, friends) were there to meet a doc and get married and never have to work again. Yes, I dated more than my fair share of docs ( there's that sexy/naughty STUDENT nurse, again!) but it never occured to me that if I married one I wouldn't have to work. I wanted to be a nurse!
Quick update - I may never be 22 again, and I may never fit into a size 8 again (I'll be happy to get back into an 18), but I'm told I'm STILL damned SEXY!
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.
I get really peeved at all the 'nurses' in the doctors' offices, especially when the doc says the nurse will be back to do xxxx, when the doc knows that the person in question is NOT a registered or licensed individual.
In New York it is illegal for anyone to identify themselves as a nurse unless they are a LPN, RN. If it is not in your state, get going on that legislation today!
My parents approved of my career as a nurse because it is a traditional role for women. As such, they were surprised that I struggled through nursing school since nurses "just follow doctor's orders". I've tried explaining it to them, but I think they prefer to believe I haven't done as well as I should because I'm not smart enough.
My mom also does not believe I'm a "real nurse" because I'm just an LPN.
I hate that people think all nurses are practically wealthy.
My dad retired from GM and used to make more hourly than I do, but I can't count the number of time he has told me that now that I'm a nurse, I'm "making the big bucks."
I think it is funny that people think when you are a nurse you automatically know about every possible injury or illness/virus going around.
When I drop the kids off at the bus stop I get a handful of questions like......."my husband fell off a ladder, do you think he will be alright?" "My son has been coughing all night, what kind of OTC medicine should he be on?" Rashes....latest stomach virus going around....I should know about it because I am a nurse.
I always tell people, "I don't deal in the small stuff....but I will take care of you after your CABG."
Ohhh...yes, the nurses make "great money" thing always gets me too.
Mine is that a male nurse is a "Doctor".....two nurses can walk into a room and if one is male, the patient immediately pays attention to the male nurse assuming he's a doctor........errrrr, he could be a student for all they know and just because he's male, they pay attention.
Also that male nurses are gay......most are not and who cares anyway!
Thinking that just because I CAN do something, means I enjoy it. Um...no. I pretty much hate ear wax, sputum and snot...I CAN deal with it, doesn't mean I LIKE to.
For me it is the people that think we are "so lucky" because we only work 3 days a week.....hello! I work more hours in my 3-4 days a week than most of them do in 5 days and am exhausted when I get home. I have an in law who thinks I am so lucky because I have a good job and make lots of money. Hello? I went to school full time while raising three children and working! You want to do that, you can have a good job too. LOL Oh, and I can't just call in when there is a little snow--got to leave a lot earlier to get there. Big bucks? I don't think so but I absolutely LOVE my job and wouldn't change it for anything.
JBudd, MSN
3,836 Posts
The stupid one: doctor leaves the room, boyfriend has a question, pt says "don't ask her she's just a nurse.