non-nursing friends?

Published

I am taking prereqs to get into a nursing program. I work as a caregiver at a long term care facility caring for adults with developmental disabilities.

I am having a hard time with a lot of my friends that aren't prenurses/aides/nurses. I just feel like whenever I complain to friends in other fields, they just don't understand. I was trying to explain the punitive culture of nursing, and how I was scared of getting written up for things....because truly you can never do a shift "perfectly." There is more work to do than a person is able. They just don't get it.

I have really been struggling with this. I have lots of good friends that aren't in the field...and lately I have been feeling like they aren't being supportive. Even those that try, can't really understand where I'm coming from.

Even my own parents! I was complaining to my mom the other day cuz a friend from class had told me about this article that stated that doctors from a foreign country were coming over to america and how people thought they should be given nursing licenses to help with the shortage. This really ticked me off.....I mean the basis of the article was that "if someone was a doctor, they'd have absolutely no problem being a nurse." It really annoyed me. Doctors may understand more of the physiology behind certain things but that doesn't automatically make them able to do everything nurses can do. I mean, they don't learn how to do some of the procedures nurses do, nor do they learn a lot of the basic nursing skills (incontinence care, bedbaths, etc). I was annoyed by this mindset and told my mom and she agreed with the people in the article!

Anyone else have these issues? I feel like a lot of the people in my life just don't understand what i'm going through with school/work and it is causing rifts!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU MICU Rapid Response.

As you advance, you will develop relationships with classmates, coworkers and the like. When you do feel like talking something other than "shop" thats where your old friends are good to have. You'll find your way... in the mean time hang at allnurses.com. :) It gets better. Promise. :)Ivanna

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds Homecare.

It's hard at first, when you first get into the medical field. Sometimes things that another medical person would totally understand, kind of zoom over the heads of non-medical friends. But you know I found that because it was all brand new to me when I first started, I kind of only thought about my work, and kind of ignored things my friends and I talked about before. You need to strike a balance between medical talk/ friend talk. It's not that they don't care, it's just hard to understand. Also, through the years you change, and so do your friends. Maybe this is your time.:idea:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC for now.

thats what allnurses.com is for! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Army Medic.

That holds true in everything.

I don't talk about my military problems with people I don't know outside the military - because 10 minutes into a conversation they'll be looking at me like I'm speaking a foreign language.

Just like I don't talk to friends who work construction about the medical field.

Old friends, that you've acquired before you switched towards finding gainful employment in today's environment are meant for having a good time with.

If you can't find some one, or don't know some one, who can relate to the field you've chosen you need to make friends in that field - or hop online to a message board and vent. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

They have no perspective. If you must complain, do it to those who have a frame of reference for what you are complaining about, recognizing that complaining gets old eventually no matter who you are talking to ;)

Let your friends be your friends and let other students who share your nursing passion be your sounding board about your career.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I don't have nurse friends but my mom is a rn and we talk qday about nursing. We offer support and we know what eachother go through. She also offers great advice being that I'm a newbie.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I say find someone in your classes who is also a nurse intent student. I found them when I was in Anatomy and Physiology. Now we are in the program together! It's great to be able to root for someone else to make the program as well. Best of luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg-Geriatrics.

Non-Nursing friends/family really don't understand,they think we are either really weird,find nursing topics disgusting,or think we have nothing to complain about because our job is so glamourous and easy and overpaid!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone! I guess i'll just come to allnurses.com for my support :p

LOL I do have friends in my prerequisite classes. For some reason though, the friends I seem to make are the ones taking prereqs for dental hygiene lol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Yeah I hear you, I remember struggling with that a lot while going through nursing school. The other thing I ran into frequently is when you have a really emotionally draining case that is sad.... As much as family and friends want to support you their are only so many sad nursing stories they will want to hear and can handle... i.e. mistreated kids in peds or end of life complications in the icu. I found a LOT of support with my fellow classmates and found that we quickly became a very supportive psudofamily for each other. It's nice to be able to share what's going on in your work life with your friends and family but their are just times when like you mentioned above.... unless you have worked in the field you just don't get it. Now that I am working I have a few nurses that i work with who I can share with and will listen and understand.... Hang in there:redpinkhe

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion