Most Annoying Nursing Stereotype

Nurses General Nursing

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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? :madface:

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

I did not decide to become a doctor. ARGH!

I have had pt's ask if I am a "real nurse" too. I have discovered that many of them think "RN" means "real nurse". I usually reply that yes I am an RN and that it means "registered nurse", but I am also a "real nurse".

My family loves to ask me to diagnosis every little ache and pain. There are also really bizarre aliments that they ask me about ("I think I have Diphtheria, what are the symptoms?") I routinely say "I don't know ask your Dr" ( now they use that against me too! "don't ask her anything, she'll just tell you to go to the Dr"

When my dad had a CABG he was home and complained to me that his butt hurt from sitting around so much. I told him that he should not be sitting all the time. I told him about the home exercise portion of recovery before going to outpt card rehab. (I am a home health nurse). He later told my mom "oh what does she know"?! Later that day when the home health nurse came and told him the same thing he listened to her! ***!!

Specializes in MDS RNAC, LTC, Psych, LTAC.

The naughty nurse one is the worst but I also don't like the stereotype that I became a nurse because I wasnt intelligent enough to get an MBA or any other degree . My brother said this to me and I said to him no I would rather die than be a suit. Suits are whats wrong with healthcare.

Also that I am responsible as a nurse for any other bad healthcare experience you have had. I actually told my daughter's mother in law that we are individuals and are not controlled by Master Control of Nurses or something. :lol2:

Specializes in LPN.
But isn't that the point of comedy? To focus on society's misconceptions about some role and to get the general public thinking about it in a different way?

True, but I don't think they really used that situation to point out the errors of the stereotype. I saw the scene as "male nurses" exploited through jokes. Maybe it didn't help that Ben Stiller didn't portray his character with much confidence in that scene. It just seemed that most of the characters were in agreement with the stereotype.

Specializes in being a Credible Source.
True, but I don't think they really used that situation to point out the errors of the stereotype. I saw the scene as "male nurses" exploited through jokes. Maybe it didn't help that Ben Stiller didn't portray his character with much confidence in that scene. It just seemed that most of the characters were in agreement with the stereotype.
I thought it poked fun at the stereotype. Mostly, I just thought the movie was funny as he[[.
Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

-Nurses make big bucks

-Jobs are plentiful

-CNAs do all the work and nurses just pass out pills and read charts

-The best and main reason you should be a nurse is because of "calling"

-That we should be able to diagnose you (family, friend) off a few symptoms and prescribe a treatment.

Specializes in LPN.
I thought it poked fun at the stereotype. Mostly I just thought the movie was funny as he[[.[/quote']

Fair enough. The movie really doesn't portray CIA agents in any better light, so I can't say they are picking on nurses. ;) It is a funny movie overall.

Specializes in Tele, Cardiac Post Op, ER.
Fair enough. The movie really doesn't portray CIA agents in any better light, so I can't say they are picking on nurses. ;) It is a funny movie overall.

Hey, at least it got us talking about it! ;)

I have had pt's ask if I am a "real nurse" too. I have discovered that many of them think "RN" means "real nurse". I usually reply that yes I am an RN and that it means "registered nurse", but I am also a "real nurse".

My family loves to ask me to diagnosis every little ache and pain. There are also really bizarre aliments that they ask me about ("I think I have Diphtheria, what are the symptoms?") I routinely say "I don't know ask your Dr" ( now they use that against me too! "don't ask her anything, she'll just tell you to go to the Dr"

When my dad had a CABG he was home and complained to me that his butt hurt from sitting around so much. I told him that he should not be sitting all the time. I told him about the home exercise portion of recovery before going to outpt card rehab. (I am a home health nurse). He later told my mom "oh what does she know"?! Later that day when the home health nurse came and told him the same thing he listened to her! ***!!

Yeah, to go along with that last part...

As annoying as everyone thinking you know everything and wanting you to diagnose all of their perceived illnesses are those who think you know nothing.

I have sisters and a brother-in-law that include a PA, an MD, a Chiropractor, an Orthopedic surgeon, and another RN. If I happen to talk to my mother about some real concern that she or my step-dad have and give them solid advice, they just blow it off. But if they hear the exact same advice from one of my other family members in healthcare, they listen to them as if it is the first time they've heard it. :rolleyes:

The myth that only Registered Nurses are Nurses. We have Psychiatric Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses as well.

Have a brother in law who asked me if I wasn't smart enough to be an RN. Pointed out that we couldn't afford four years of university and a wait list that changes yearly. Then I asked him could he save a life, start an IV, assess a newborn, and hold the hand of a dying patient. All things that an LPN can do in my part of the world.

Specializes in Forensic, acute Inpatient, Substance Mis.

"Prostitutes" Sorry to offend anyone but that's wot my ex husband said to me when i told him I wanted to hace a career in nursing, " All they do is run after doctors and wreck homes, they lie, saying their doing nite shift when they're actually having affairs with doctors...you'll have to decide your marriage or nursing?? Needless to say I've been qualified 4 years now & and enjoying my career..haven't met any doctors that are willing to "pay for my services" yet but hey maybe my move to australia this year will bring in the "punters"!!!

On the brighter side, Im the "go to" for all ailments in the world including palstic surgery, tropical disease bowel/bladder problems......don't they know that I'm a psychiatric nurse??????

"Prostitutes" Sorry to offend anyone but that's wot my ex husband said to me when i told him I wanted to hace a career in nursing, " All they do is run after doctors and wreck homes, they lie, saying their doing nite shift when they're actually having affairs with doctors...you'll have to decide your marriage or nursing?? Needless to say I've been qualified 4 years now & and enjoying my career..haven't met any doctors that are willing to "pay for my services" yet but hey maybe my move to australia this year will bring in the "punters"!!!

On the brighter side, Im the "go to" for all ailments in the world including palstic surgery, tropical disease bowel/bladder problems......don't they know that I'm a psychiatric nurse??????

and you're well shot of that loser!

I mean historically, pre-Florence days, nurses weren't the most respectable of women but a woman had/has to do whatever it takes to survive.

Specializes in acute rehab, psych, home health, agencey.

My favorite stereotype in todays nursing world is that your employer has your back for all the hard work we do for them. Also that staffing loves u today, but wont tommorow when u cant help

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