My best friend puts down being a nurse

[mindfulnursingbabe]

Every time I have a conversation with my best friend or her family about any nursing aspect or my job as a nursing assistant in med-surg (we obviously all know what my job duties are) all she ever has to say is that she "can never be a nurse" and for reasons like having to deal with other people's bodily fluids and not wanting to wipe someone's ass and that she will never do it. I don't know how to feel about this. It seems to me that she thinks all nurses do is wipe asses (l o l). I'm going to nursing school but once I work for a year or two as a nurse I do plan on applying to medical school for MY own personal reasons. However, it just bothers me that she thinks this way. I understand some people aren't apt to bodily fluids and really can't handle it but I just feel like anytime I talk about the profession that's all she has to say and it really upsets me. She wants to go to PA school but wouldn't she have to at least experience direct patient care?

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Why does this upset you and why, if it upsets you this much, do you bring it up around her? It is true, not everyone can or should do what we do. That fact puts her down more than you from my perspective.

What she does as a PA will have nothing to do with what is done as a nurse. They are two completely different professions.

Stop worrying about it and stop talking about it with her.

[mindfulnursingbabe]

I'm not bringing it up to just bring it up. I could simply just be talking about my day and my point is that the whole conversation is just adverted to how she could never wipe someone's ass or ever will do that or will ever do what nurses do.

[mindfulnursingbabe]

And if she is the kind of person who wants to get into the medical field, shouldn't that person have at least a bit of compassion to help the people who can't help themselves?

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

She can have compassion without wanting to do that job. I love little kids. Doesn't mean I want to raise one again.

You do not need her validation to be okay with your life choices. The sooner you get good with you, the better you will feel. I would suggest not talking about work with her. If that isn't able to be done, I would suggest making new friends. The only person you can control in this world is you.

[mindfulnursingbabe]

I guess I just don't feel supported for wanting to be a nurse and it's a little upsetting to me when people think that nurses just wipe asses when that's far from the truth. They do far much more. I know I don't need her validation and I know that the only person who controls me is... me. It just made me a bit upset Thank you very much

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

It is a very common misperception and one you will have to learn to ignore. Those of us who are nurses know better and when you are a nurse you will find your posse. Those whose lives are saved by us know better too. Pope Francis just gave a speech Saturday talking about the importance of nurses.

[mindfulnursingbabe]

Yes, I've been learning that But I'll have to check that out! Thank you :)

[cleback]

Soon she will be asking patients and nurses about the bowel habits and, perhaps, doing more invasive exams than any nurse has to do.

Honestly, sounds like she just has some growing up to do. If she sticks with pa, she'll have to grow a stronger stomach.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

i had friend who would put me down and say stuff about your cutsie nursing outfit and laugh,later I found out she was jealous ,ended up going to nursing school herself.There will always be people like that ,it is best to end the relationship.

[yli08]

Hmm. Definitely stop worry about what other people say. If it's something you really want to do, it shouldn't really matter. At the end of the day it's your decision, yes it might sting, but know why you wanted to do it in the first place. As long as you know the importance of your work :)

[Wannabenurseneko]

She's in for a rude awakening when she becomes a PA , she will have respect for what you do .