How Rude!!!

Nurses Relations

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Do you ever wonder how people can be so stupid and rude??

Today I was visiting my mom and decided to run over the local hairdresser and get a quick trim. This guy was there whose daughter graduated from high school last year. I do not know them very well just small town stuff. Town of 400 and everyone knows everyone. Anyway his daughter is going to school to be a nurse so I asked him how she was doing. (He knows I am an RN because I had him mother as a patient, and he asked me if was still working at that certain hospital). He says, "I just don't think being a nurse is very impressive. Having MD behind you name says a lot more. I can not believe I have to put her through college just to be a nurse."

I was totally dumbfounded!!! OMG!! Yeah having president in your name is impressive too. It is not like he is anything spectacular either. Never went to college, took over his dad's farm.....not that there is anything wrong with that, but that comment!!!!!!

Thats basically what my family told me.. sadly :( "I cant believe your going to goto college with your grades and your brains just to be a nurse." :o Its sad.. but alot of people think very lowly of RNs.

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I wouldn't have taken it personally. I doubt he meant to insult you or any nurses.

What I am hearing is a dad who is bursting with pride in his daughter, one who recognizes her special and unique abilities and capabilities, and who was attempting to convey to you

that she could just as easily become an M.D.

My guess is that he is working and sacrificing and supporting her and someone has told him that for another "2 or 3 years, she could be a doctor. !"

In the rankings of prestigious careers, doctor outranks scientists, astronauts, pilots, ad infinitum.....nurses fall between butchers and newspaper delivery men.

My guess is , he was clumsily trying to communicate to you that his little girl................"could be a doctor."

Remember, communication is not most mens' strong points.

I don't see malicious intent, rudeness, or a put-down in anything he said.

Sleep on it, and give it a second look .

If you commented to him, I am sure he would be shocked to

hear that you felt he was condemning nurses.

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Specializes in Oncology, Cardiology, ER, L/D.

Well, I personally think that WAS a rude thing to say whether he meant it that way or not. What other way could it have been construed? I have to say that I would be offended if someone had said that to me, but that's just me....:rolleyes: I have been nothing but encouraged and supported since I have started nursing school and not once has anyone said anything remotely negative.... good thing for them, cause I would definitely have to give them a reality check!:p

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I would ignore this with the contempt it deserves. Nothing you say would change the mind of someone so ignorant of what we do........until HE is in need of nursing care. That's when a lot of peoples' tune changes!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

not just rude.

ignorant

and it would be a waste of your breath and time to bother w/this man. so don't.

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Specializes in HIV/AIDS, Dementia, Psych.

passing thru...I bet you see the glass as half full :)

I would love to have your attitude!

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Specializes in ICU.

I would have looked at him with pity in my eyes and said "Oh dear! How could you not know how vital and important nursing is? How could you not know how much education it takes to be a good nurse?" and then walked away.

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People are so ignorant to what nurses do. It truly amazes me. I'm sure he'd feel differently if he or someone close to him were very ill and needed a nurse. It seems like the people who have had personal experiences with illness and hospitals are the ones who praise us the most and realize how hard we work and how how important our job is. How unfortunate. I'm sure he'll change his tune when he sees his daughter through school and her career as a nurse!

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Originally posted by jnette

But WHY ??? And since WHEN ??? :o

I remember when I grew up, nursing was held in HIGH esteem ! Even until "relatively" recently... let's say the eighties, maybe even nineties? Unless I've been out of touch... it's only recently that I've been hearing such negative comments/perceptions. I've never run into anyone personally who voiced such negativity... I just don't get it. :confused:

And YES... that WAS beyond rude... ignorant... and totally uncalled for. :(

I believe the public perception of nurses began its sharp downfall shortly after former first lady Clinton made the comment that "Nurses are underworked and overpaid." This was at the same time Slick Willy was trying to push his health care reformplan through. What a joke - if you think back...healthcare as a whole began a sharp downfall during that time.

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That was so deliberate. He was obviously trying to get a rise out of you. People are so da** ignorant about what a nurse has to deal with day in and out. Unfortunately our society praises doctors like their gods well I can say this if there werent for nurses those gods would be doing all the work. I don't trip anymoe because at least I know when the economy is jacked up he is the one who would be forclosing on his farm and you will be drawing a paycheck still.

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Did Hillary Clinton really say that? WOW!!! I still think he was rude.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Sort of agree and disagree with passing thru. If he knew the op was a nurse, perhaps he didn't mean to insult her, but why slam the profession of someone you're talking to. Rude.

He should be bursting with pride at his daughter no matter what she chooses. She probably grew up never being good enough.

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