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 hate hearing....."oh wow, I give you so much credit......I could never be a nurse......changing bed pans and wiping butts all day! uggg........."

Really??? Is that all we nurses do???? LOL

Most annoying? The "eat their young" and "middle aged nurses that can't keep up" foolishness.

"Eat their young" is very VERY true.

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!

you tell them girl...besides your reason is your own...at the end of the day you CHOSE to be a nurse and thats it, it matters not what others think. Besides, you can remind them that its that same "not smart" nurse is who is going to be caring for them.

Some people just dont think sometimes....what does being a doctor have to do with being smart...sighhhhhh so then what about scientists and engineers...smh

Specializes in NICU-Level III.

I work in a level III NICU. We had a baby who was admitted directly into our Intermediate Care Unit. The newborn's mother asked the RN caring for her infant how much money we make. My coworker gave her a general number to which the mother replied,"You make that much just rocking babies?!" WHAT!!!! My coworker promptly disabused her of that misconception. I love getting out my blank transport forms and going over them with those who made the mistake of implying that I "rock babies". I also have a hard time getting my mother to understand that nurse's specialize. I don't take care of anyone greater than 12lbs, so I have no idea what you should do about your adult problem other than call the doctor!!

I work in a level III NICU. We had a baby who was admitted directly into our Intermediate Care Unit. The newborn's mother asked the RN caring for her infant how much money we make. My coworker gave her a general number to which the mother replied,"You make that much just rocking babies?!" WHAT!!!! My coworker promptly disabused her of that misconception. I love getting out my blank transport forms and going over them with those who made the mistake of implying that I "rock babies". I also have a hard time getting my mother to understand that nurse's specialize. I don't take care of anyone greater than 12lbs, so I have no idea what you should do about your adult problem other than call the doctor!!

Perception Perception....tsk tsk tsk smh

I'm not a nurse yet, but I :madface: HATE :madface: when people give more respect to a doctor just because they're a doctor! Don't get me wrong, I respect people who have gone through school and accomplished something in their lives, whether that person be a doctor, nurse, teacher, etc.!

For example, a coworker actually stated that when she was having her child she would rather have had a medical student delivering the baby then a nurse alone. I say if that nurse has years of experience, let her in!

Specializes in Oncology/Hematology, Infusion, clinical.
Mine would have to be that LPN's are not Nurses!!!! I actually would rather be an LPN than an RN! I started Nursing school last fall and failed Fundamentals for my RN program. I'm happy I did! After all the hullabaloo that I put my fam through and my sanity, I can't wait to be an LPN! I don't have a problem with hands on work!! :yeah:

Well, I suppose one of mine would include the perception that an RN doesn't do any "hands on work" and, rather, sits on a lifeguard stand directing his/her hired help to do the dirty stuff through a megaphone. Oh, and the whistle around my neck comes in handy too when my voice gets tired.

Mine would have to be that LPN's are not Nurses!!!! I actually would rather be an LPN than an RN! I started Nursing school last fall and failed Fundamentals for my RN program. I'm happy I did! After all the hullabaloo that I put my fam through and my sanity, I can't wait to be an LPN! I don't have a problem with hands on work!! :yeah:

My facility no longer hires LPN's (there are only a couple who remain in the whole hospital). I can assure you that RN's do "hands on work." Lots and lots and lots of it.;)

i work in a level iii nicu. we had a baby who was admitted directly into our intermediate care unit. the newborn's mother asked the rn caring for her infant how much money we make. my coworker gave her a general number to which the mother replied,"you make that much just rocking babies?!" what!!!! my coworker promptly disabused her of that misconception. i love getting out my blank transport forms and going over them with those who made the mistake of implying that i "rock babies". i also have a hard time getting my mother to understand that nurse's specialize. i don't take care of anyone greater than 12lbs, so i have no idea what you should do about your adult problem other than call the doctor!!

i am somewhat amazed at the nerve of a patient's family member asking a professional how much money she makes, but even more astounded that the nurse answered her. she would have gotten a diplomatic "none of your business" from me.

Specializes in med-surg.
To those parents of my peds patients: I AM A RN, NOT YOUR CHILD'S BABY-SITTER!! If you want your child looked after every minute of everyday, then you either come do it, or send a relative to do it! I cannot possible stay in the room with you child every minute of my shift....I have 2-3 other patients that also need me!

This works for the elderly counter-part as well :)

Not a stereotype, but we recently had a "VIP" patient (I don't believe in the term VIP, everyone's a VIP!) who kept trying to get oob and pull out their IV's, taking off the tabs monitor, etc, the family made their presence known, and EVERY MD refused to restrain this patient despite his risk to himself and upper management refused a sitter (to much money). The patient fell, not once - but twice. When the nurse patient ratios are 9/1 - it's impossible to be with someone at ALL times. The family was LIVID, still threatening to sue. Talking about how terrible the care is. But, where was the family? One hour a day visiting, and running your mouth to the CEO doesn't prove your commitment to your family member to anyone...

When people find out I'm a nurse and they ask "What kind of nurse?" I always tell them "The Best Kind I Can Be!!!"

Alot of people think that LPN's are just glorified CENA's :mad:

"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??????

perhaps they watced too much no angels or bodies,

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