"I would help you out with a job if I could.."

Nurses New Nurse

Published

-------- A Short Rant --------

Hello everyone,

First off, I am a new RN (been working for about 2 1/2 months) in a dermatology practice. I'm one of seven other nurses that work under two MD's.

Anyway, today while in a room with a pt (who is an RN) the doc was telling me what kind of supplies he would need me to get to set up for a procedure we were doing. So the pt asks me if I'm new and I tell her yes and tell her how long I've been there. She asked when I graduated, I told her last May. She then asks me, "didn't you want to start in a hospital?" And the answer was yes, I did want to work in a hospital first and tried to find a job in acute care for three months before a friend (also an RN at the practice) recommended me for the position. I am actually very happy in my position, all the nurses/receptionists/docs are great and I have no complaints. So I told her all that and she says to me, "gosh I wish I could help you out with a job if I could" - HELLO? I HAVE ONE! That I like, that I've said that I enjoy doing! She also then asked me I had found any job prospects in the hospital for work.. I just smile and say "Well, thank you".

I felt like this patient and many other people have made me feel like I am less of a nurse because I work in an office, especially an office in dermatology, rather than acute care. I get that the acuity is not there and we do not handle the same things as other nurses in the hospital/nursing homes/rehabs and so on, but I am still a nurse!

Office-setting nurses or nurses in other roles, have you ever felt this way?

Specializes in ICU.

What are we, only nurses if we bust our butts with unsafe conditions and no pee breaks for hours in the hospital?

I think not. I did ICU, went to management, then went to Outcomes/PI (where I was no longer viewed as nurse) and now I am going back to the patients in home hospice.

A nurse is a nurse and there are different specialties. If all then nurses were in the hospital, the clinics, LT'C's and doctors offices would be empty.

As a nurse, to have a job and to enjoy it is golden, no matter where you are.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

So I told her all that and she says to me, "gosh I wish I could help you out with a job if I could" - HELLO? I HAVE ONE! That I like, that I've said that I enjoy doing! She also then asked me I had found any job prospects in the hospital for work.. I just smile and say "Well, thank you".

You could have smiled at her and said "and if you ever get tired of working weekends and holidays, give me a call and I'll try to help you find a job like mine" :)

I felt like this patient and many other people have made me feel like I am less of a nurse because I work in an office, especially an office in dermatology, rather than acute care.

This statement of yours kind of jumps out at me. You're not just saying that they think you're less of a nurse, you're saying they make you feel like less of a nurse. In my opinion, nobody can make you feel something but you. What other people think of your job doesn't matter, all that matters is what you think. As long as you're happy with your job, don't worry what other people think!

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Specializes in ICU, trauma, gerontology, wounds.

maybe "nurses have developed a caste system," but i wonder if she just assumed you'd make more money at a hospital. it was an insensitive remark, nonetheless.

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Specializes in ICU.
I'm not an office nurse, but sadly nurses have developed a caste system when it comes to employment. If you don't work in a hospital then you aren't a 'real' nurse. Maybe you couldn't handle it so you took an office job.

Of course the hospital itself has a pecking order. It seems that ED and ICU battle it out for top dog. Everyone one else are 'just' a med/surg nurse, GI, nurse...etc.. you get the gist.

Sad eh? And people wonder why we aren't respected. We don't even respect ourselves!

Good luck and enjoy your profession. :)

Well we alllll know that ICU is clearly the winner!! All joking aside, sometimes I dream of working in a clinic like that, or a plastic surgery office. Then maybe I could get discounts!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I think all nursing areas are specialties and I grow ever tired of the caste system set up by "whomever" long ago. I maybe an ICU/ED nurse but I am no longer really "capable of caring for patients on the floor, I have lost that skill set and I would rather stab myself in the eye that work OB/LD...it terrifies me. For the rare individuals who can work LTC my hat is off to you all. You do much with very little and It would break my heart to see those that no longer have any family or no longer have family who cares.

I have always wondered what it would be like in a MD office/clinic and work days........I was just never that lucky to find one.

I'm with the response "Well, bless your heart, when you get tired of working all those shifts and holidays look me up and I'll try to help you too!".....:lol2:

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I get that a lot as an OR nurse. There are always mumbles of losing my skills. Why don't people understand that we are all nurses, but we have different skills?

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Don't let how others look at you, it is their problem if they denigrate you. You have an RN? Do they? Keep smiling and tell them, I love my job and am very proud of my RN." End of discussion.

We worry too much about what others think!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Hey if your happy and make a living wage that is all that counts! Hospital nursing is overrated! All you have to do is read allnurses and see how unhappy, stressed and exhausted the majority of nurses are and realize you are one of the lucky ones! I would think twice about even considering a hospital job if you are happy where you are! People that feel that working for a hospital is a badge of honor are stupid and brainwashed! Unless you are one of the blessed few that work in a hospital with good working conditions, hospital nursing is not where's it at! It's not all that! Instead its a place of stress, misery and having to worry about being injured by the poor working conditions, obese patients, and lack of lift equipment.

Be happy! You are one of the lucky ones that has a good job that you can enjoy!

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I think it's most important to be happy in what you're doing. I think many nurses feel the pressure to work in a hospital and may even follow that path even though their heart might not be in it. I work in an office and wouldn't trade it for a hospital floor for anything. No offense to hospital nurses, but I just know myself well enough to know what I like. I enjoy the pace of the office which can sometimes be slow, but hectic at other times. I get to sit down sometimes, I never have to race around between many patients' rooms, I rarely work overtime, never work holidays or weekends or nights, get plenty of vacation and sick time, and the doctor values my knowledge and input and contributions to the success of the practice. I spend quality time with my family during normal hours. I am becoming very knowledgeable about a couple of specific areas of medicine that I also happen to find incredibly interesting. So, I truly could care less if someone thinks I'm less of a nurse because I work in an office. From my perspective, I've got it made.

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Specializes in LTC and School Health.

I currently get the same response as a nurse in LTC. I have a job and I'm grateful. I do want hospital experience, however it does not make me less of a nurse because I don't.

The beauty about nursing is that we can work anywhere we want. We all have our gifts that should be used where ever needed.

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Wow, thank you all so much for responding, I wasn't expecting to get this much feedback but I appreciate everyone reading and taking the time to share your thoughts and support.

Hats off to all nurses who are making or have made a difference

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Specializes in PACU.

We all know PACU nurses are the coolest. :flamesonb

I have the utmost respect for all nurses who do their jobs well. There are a lot of different roles that need to be filled. From NICU to geriatrics, and level one trauma center to the tiniest CAH. Honestly, I have even more respect for the people who do a good job at the stuff I'd rather not ever do.

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