Fire fighters, police, and first responders...

[Beccal8]

The first day of nurses week this year I went to my local wal mart to get a quick oil change after a long 12 hour shift and two hours of driving. My car was the only one there for about five minutes. A man pulled in behind me and the attendant said, "he was here first." No, the man didn't pre-pay and no, he did not have an appointment. I was still in uniform. So, I reluctantly moved my car. After some thought, nothing good, I called the manager. Who, was no manager. She looked scared to death and about 20 years old. She and the man waiting for his oil change got an earful. It was concise, to the point and most of all the truth. I believe I am officially fed up with everyone who puts on a volunteer fire fighter costume getting respect they have not earned. I was day dreaming about what would happen to this country if every RN took the same day off? No, that wouldn't work either. We would just be criticized for not wading in our quota of blood, crap and vomit. And, there would be no one for patients, doctors and everyone else to abuse. That alone would constitute a mental health crisis. As far as pay scale. If we earned what we're worth only the top 1% could afford healthcare. So, when I here very disingenuous politicians talk about equal pay, I already know, my fellow nurses and I are not part of the discussion.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I am having difficulty following you....

[chare]

I am having difficulty following you....

Agreed. I particularly took exception with the "I believe I am officially fed up with everyone who puts on a volunteer fire fighter costume getting respect they have not earned" comment.

[marie.rn2419, RN]

What on earth? Did you just post that you're mad at first responders because walmart made you wait in line for an oil change? (which has nothing to do with FF, EMS or LEOs)

Or is your point that you feel as though you should have been treated like a hero because you were in uniform? I can't.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

She and the man waiting for his oil change got an earful.[/Quote]

Wow...I'm embarrassed for you.

I believe I am officially fed up with everyone who puts on a volunteer fire fighter costume getting respect they have not earned[/Quote]

Uff da...("wow" doesn't quire cut it here.) I dunno, we're talking about people who run into buildings to save people from asphyxiating or burning to death??!? (As an RN, the most dangerous thing I've ran toward was liquid poo shooting from the pt like a Super Soaker water gun.) Who prevent lone burning buildings from going all San Francisco on the surrounding neighborhoods? Who prevent wildfires from going all Peshtigo on rural towns?

And VOLUNTEER firefighters risk their lives FOR FREE?? By "costume," do you mean the suits and helmets that allow them to withstand an inferno?

Um... yeah they are heroes and they deserve all the respect in the world. To you say you're fed up with it... that is truly one of the most BIZARRE things I have ever heard in my life.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

perhaps it is the lie the OP is upset about? tell me that he will go first because it his day, don't lie to me that he was here first, when he was not.