"More" than Just a Nurse?

[lisabethanne]

This seemed like the most appropriate place to post this, so here goes:

Over the past 6 months to a year, my life has made some pretty dramatic shifts. I went from GRE's and PhD applications to the TEAS V and Nursing School applications. I should be starting in a nursing program this coming summer.

I've found that many of my friends and family, and some of my teachers, are rather shocked when I tell them that I am going to become a nurse. I get everything from "I just can't see you being a nurse because you don't seem like the sweet, sympathizing, caring type," to "you could do so much more."

This latter statement is the one I am slightly concerned about.

Generally it seems that when people say I could be doing more, they mean I could go to medical school and become a brain surgeon or something along those lines. It almost seems like people think I am wasting my talents by becoming a nurse.

The mentality that nursing is somehow less [honorable, difficult, intense, etc. take your pick] is getting to me just a little bit. Which is probably why I'm ranting on a discussion forum. I just wanted to see what you all think of the matter.

P.S. I am going to be the very best nurse that I can be, and I don't care if other people think I could be "more." After all, what's more nurse than nurse?

[chuleta]

Wow, are you sure we don't have the same friends & family members?! That's almost exactly what I was told when I mentioned wanting to become a nurse. I think you should just do whatever makes you happy & if becoming a nurse does that for you then go for it! Only you know what's best for you.

[Girlafraid13]

You will have some family and friends that admire and praise you for being a nurse and others who will just find something negative to say, I had many friends tell me you should be a doctor you're too smart to be a nurse. Which is an ignorant thing to see becsuse with the exception of maybe 1 , every nurse i have met is intelligent. My sister literally brags about me being a nurse every chance she gets. Being a nurse is a big deal and if they can't see that their loss.

[Girlafraid13]

Say* damn fat fingers.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I suspect that the reactions of our family members and friends to our choices to become nurses are heavily influenced by the backgrounds from which they come.

The people in my life were supportive and amazed when I entered nursing. However, I come from a family with relatively low educational attainment and occupational prestige, so they place nurses on a pedestal. When virtually all of your relatives have no education beyond high school, and a large number of them have dropped out of high school, they tend to view nurses in the same light as doctors.

On the other hand, I imagine that persons with many educated professionals in their families and social circles might receive some criticism or blank stares for choosing to become nurses.

Nurses are healthcare professionals in their own right. However, we are unique because bedside nursing practice includes a repertoire of 'professional' soft skills (advocacy, accountability, interpersonal skills, evaluating outcomes, planning care) and some tenets of manual labor (heavy lifting, pushing, wearing uniforms, passing meal trays, toileting, using time clocks, dealing with unpleasant stenches).

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Your PS answers the post. You are going to be a nurse no matter what they say.

[Girlafraid13]

I suspect that the reactions of our family members and friends to our choices to become nurses are heavily influenced by the backgrounds from which they come.

The people in my life were supportive and amazed when I entered nursing. However, I come from a family with relatively low educational attainment and occupational prestige, so they place nurses on a pedestal. When virtually all of your relatives have no education beyond high school, and a large number of them have dropped out of high school, they tend to view nurses in the same light as doctors.

For me it's actually the opposite. My dad's family is very well educated. Most of which have their masters, everyone has at "least" a BA and they absolutely admire what I do. My mom's family on the other hand.. no one besides my siblings have graduated college most haven't graduated high school but yet they still bring down my profession. Good thing I only see them once a year

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I think it's all relative. Anyone in any position could find themselves regretting having not done more. I once worked with a physician who was disappointed that he had not become an astronaut.

[NurseKellyKMo]

It sounds as if they need to do some research on the field of nursing. You can become a Dr of nursing! You can get your Masters Degree in nursing, and obtain certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), with that, you can see patients, write scripts, diagnose, treat, etc. All under the supervision of an MD. What you need to decide is whether or not YOU will be content with the line of work. You will have days when you are two seconds away from tears, getting yelled at by patients and the Drs you could have been equal to, and you have to be OK with that. But you will also have the time for much more meaningful patient contact and communication than you ever would have had if you ere a Dr. You don't do it for the money, you do it because when you are with your patients giving care, there's no where else you would rather be.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I had strangers- not my own family but random people like my mother's colleagues and a doctor who gave me a scholarship my senior year of high school- tell me that I was "too smart to be a nurse." I'm not sure what that means. They wanted me to go to medical school which, save for about a day and a half in 8th grade, I never had any desire to do.

Now, I'm 30 years old, am a supervisor, have owned my house for almost 4 years and make more than any 3rd year Resident can expect to make (approx 50% more based on what glassdoor says the average salary for a 3rd year resident is) while working Mon-Fri with no nights/weekends and the flexibility to travel abroad several times/year. I made the right decision. I have never cared what other people thought I should do. I am my own person.

[dorkypanda]

I've heard about this too before.. Someone saying so and so could study to become a doc rather than a nurse. My guess is that they were trying to push for the prestige or higher status ?

its good to go on your own path that you want to take because you want it.

[dorkypanda]

I don't think NS is less honorable or less anything.

The thing that comes to mind when I hear why nursing is the hard work and load that is expected of you.