"Smart enough to be a doctor" What do you say to that?

[CANewRN]

I have heard on several different occasions where someone has referred to a nurse/nursing student as "Smart enough to be a doctor". To me this is an insult to the profession, because they (always someone that is not in the medical profession) are saying doctors are smarter than nurses:madface:. When I hear it, my blood boils a bit, but I dont know whether to say Hey, here is why nursing is different than medicine and why nurses are just as smart as doctors, etc, etc, or to just leave it alone.

What would you do if you heard someone say this?

[nightmare, RN]

I'd say," But are you smart enough to be a nurse?"

[Sterren, BSN, RN]

"that's good, since part of my job is to catch their mistakes."

[crunchymomx3]

Smart enough to be a Dr. Care enough to be a Nurse.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I usually say something like ... "Actually, I am smart enotugh to NOT be a physician. My Dad was a physician and I was smart enough to realize I didn't want that lifestyle. I much prefer the career flexibility I have in nursing. My Dad and his physician friends all advised me to become a nurse (for the flexibility) rather than a physician. And with a graduate degree in nursing, I can live a comfortable life with a healthy lifestyle."

[HappyPediRN]

I've had this said to me sooo many times throughout my rotations, and one of the doctors at my hospital thought I was resident after we discussed a patient. I don't take it as an insult, I actually like that my level of intelligence is thought of so highly. Medicine and nursing are two different fields and while they interact they are entirely separate entities. Have you ever seen a physician interact with a patient and thought the doctor would make a great nurse because they are so gentle and compassionate? It's kind of the same thing as the smart enough to be a doctor comment, it just might come off as condescending because intelligence comes into play. You need to be intelligent to be a nurse, but it's a different type of intelligence.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

A lot of family members have told me I should go to med school. I then explain to them why I'm in nursing and that they are two different things.. I want to have a life, thanks.

[rnmomtobe2010]

I'd say," But are you smart enough to be a nurse?"

:yeah:EXACTLY... See how they like them apples....

[ava'smomRN]

i say who says i WANT to be a doctor?

[psalm, RN]

I'd reply with "Most nurses are..."

[shelly304]

I always say, "And smart enough to know I don't want to pay yearly malpractice premiums that are equal to a small home!"

[nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN]

I've had that one, and always answer, "yes, and I chose not to be one." The one that made me so hot I practically glowed was, "Honey, you're so attentive, you'd make a good waitress."