"So you work in a nursing home; you can't possibly know what I'm asking" (GRRR)

exnavygirl-RN · Apr 12, 2009

I get a similar attitude from my family. My mother, especially!

emmalou* · Apr 12, 2009

I've worked in a few different nursing settings and ever since I started nursing, I've occasionally experienced this attitude, particularly from people who insist on arguing with me about something health related and usually from people who work in desk jobs or something similar, it's hardly ever from anyone who works in health.

There's something about being a nurse which seems to make some people defensive or something .... or maybe they feel like they have something to prove, or maybe they don't have any respect for nurses but sometimes I even cop this attitude from family and friends.

I find it disrespectful and very frustrating. I mean I don't claim to know everything about the human body (far from it!) but I think I would know more than the average office worker :icon_roll (although when it comes to people who have chronic illness, I respect their opinions as they are usually very knowledgeable and have good insight into their own medical conditions).

I also don't make statements about health or nursing issues lightly, if I say something, it's because I've researched it or experienced it in my job.

:angryfire

Vito Andolini · Apr 12, 2009

I hope I'm wrong but it sounds like this is a deeper-seated issue than just teacher vs. nurse.

texastaz · Apr 12, 2009

I don't know how to get her to understand that I'm not just a piece of chopped liver here, ya know?
ARGH....just had to vent!
I hear you - Sad - I just gave up with my Mom and figure so what. It took me a long time. Anyway-Happy Easter

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2009

It sounds like your mother is prone to dropping loaded verbal bombs in your lap. She's a classic passive/aggressive would be my diagnosis. :rolleyes:

Cobweb · Apr 12, 2009

I think it can be male vs. female, also. My mom will ask me something health-related but she won't believe it until she asks her brother, who is a line worker at GM, or her friend's husband, who is an accountant. /sigh.

exnavygirl-RN · Apr 12, 2009

You're describing my family to a "T". LOL

I think it can be male vs. female, also. My mom will ask me something health-related but she won't believe it until she asks her brother, who is a line worker at GM, or her friend's husband, who is an accountant. /sigh.

newtress, LPN · Apr 12, 2009

I get this every single time my boyfriend has to see his doctor for something. I am told I don't know a darn thing about XXXX because I am not a doctor. We both see the same doctor, and he completely missed my diagnosis by a mile. I ended up being right about what was wrong with me, and what I thought could be my boyfriend's diagnosis several times, and I am still deemed a no-nut. Like a truly passive agressive way of refusing to believe you until it is obtained from a different source. Sigh.. I hear ya. My BF has been working at GM for 30 years and refused to believe that his weight gain, terrible mood swings and nodules could possibly be hypothyroidism. "what do you mean I should have blood work done for some TSH thing, you don't know about that."

Whispera, MSN, RN · Apr 12, 2009

I agree with every one above AND think that lots of people just don't know what a nurse DOES know or what a nurse can and DOES do. My own dear mom never got it that I do more than clean up after patients...

It's up to us to clear up misconceptions about our roles...

Vito Andolini · Apr 12, 2009

I agree with every one above AND think that lots of people just don't know what a nurse DOES know or what a nurse can and DOES do. My own dear mom never got it that I do more than clean up after patients...
It's up to us to clear up misconceptions about our roles...

That's easier said than done with family. but I guess we should try.

Thankful RN,BSN · Apr 12, 2009

their loss. i'd rather not be bothered with questions anyway! we get enough questions at work.