Nurses disrespecting nurses

Updated:   Published

So I went to a party where I was introduced to another nurse. She works in pediatric ICU. I said oh that must be tough. She's like yea I usually have 2 pts. I said oh when I was in ltc I had 60 at times..its usually not as acute but we still have our rough nights. She actually scoffed and said that's not really nursing! Excuse me?!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Toss her on the floor with 60 and see how that goes :p

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Swing/Rehab.

Well... how did you handle her statement about her having two patients? From your post it can be taken either way, as you trying to one up her by saying you've been responsible for 60 patients before or you were just having a general conversation. So... either way. ;D

Just shrug it off! ?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

In my opinion, I think you were just trying to continue the conversation by stating how your jobs are difficult but in different ways. There's nothing wrong with what you said. And if she did take it the wrong way, she didn't have to put you down by saying 'that's not nursing.' that was just mean and unprofessional.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh I was just conversating! Initially another friend asked about my current job which is clinic. She said that's easy. Anyway I already acknowledged picu is tough.. I mean taking care of sick children? It must be hard to deal with everyday. But of course the convo ended soon after her comment :l

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

Another classic example of a snarky nurse denigrating LTC. How professional! (And I'm being facietious!)

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

Pfft, people who are rude like that are too ignorant and probably couldn't last one shift in a 60 patient LTC position. I never put down someone's place of work in nursing, they're all hard in different ways!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.
JZ_RN said:
Pfft, people who are rude like that are too ignorant and probably couldn't last one shift in a 60 patient LTC position. I never put down someone's place of work in nursing, they're all hard in different ways!

Thank you - well said. But it is still so hurtful and discouraging to be uttered by one of our 'professional' peers.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well said indeed! I always took pride in the time I had to take care of our elderly but I have to admit those comments (oh that's easy! and that's not really nursing!) stung a bit. I feel like many people (including within the healthcare community) have very little understanding of the pressures of LTC nursing. Perhaps they imagine us twiddling our thumbs while we babysit a bunch of AOx3, ambulatory (and of course continent) sweet grannies that always take their 1 -2 pills and never need more than an occasional pillow fluffing while we dance around and singalong to nice oldies music lol

We may not be dealing with fancy equipment and multiple drips but what we do (in clinic and LTC) is still very real and necessary nursing! Ah well. I just had to vent. Thanks AN for listening :)

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Anyone who speaks disrespectfully about a different nursing specialty, is NOT a professional.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

newrnltc - and don't forget that we all wave at them as they sit in their little old rockers with the cute little afghans wrapped around them! I mean that is for those of you on the early shifts - on 11-7, I have to fight to stay awake, find fresh coffee and new magazines to read while I file my nails! Those false misconceptions uttered by the uninformed do sting, as you say, regardless of the source. I'm venting too.

CapeCodMermaid - my point exactly.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion