"Why don't you just be a doctor?"

[laceface24]

Last night, I was approached by a gentleman, and after a few minutes of small chat, he asked what I was in school for. Proudly, I said "nursing", and he gave me a not so nice look, and replied with "Why don't you be a doctor?". I was immediately thrown off, and very annoyed that this man viewed nurses as not being "good enough". Has anyone else ever been in this situation? Can you please tell me what you said back? I said "I admire the job of a nurse more than a doctor, and can't imagine doing anything else." I can't help but be annoyed by people that have NO idea what kind of work it is to be a nurse!

[greenbeanio]

I think I'd just say something along the lines of what the others here have said: "Because doctors diagnose and prescribe, but nurses do the actual caring for the patient. It's a different role, calling for different skills, and I like the nurse's role better."

[A1551]

if your a guy nurse this is almost a daily occurence...I usually just laugh it off.

Reading this thread I just had to share this one -- I'm a guy going into nursing -- when I told my mother of my plan to become a nurse she -- literally -- burst into tears Over the next few months I must have got the "why don't just be a doctor..." speech from her anytime i saw her. My retort was always "if it means that much to you why don't YOU apply to med school!"

I stopped getting the speech right after my grandmother ended up in the hospital for a few weeks (thankfully she pulled through and is doing great) -- after interacting with the nurses in the ICU my mother has developed a newfound respect for nurses

[allthaticanbe]

You can always tell them:

"Well its actually my back up plan, I wanted to be a clown but times are rough for the entertainment industry."

[CuriousMe]

I've been asked a couple times (usually by Doc's) why I'm not going to medical school. I also generally answer with a smile, "then I'd have to be a Doc."

Truly, in their minds, I'm sure they thought they were complimenting me. It just shows me a lack of understanding on their part about a nurses role. Nothing worth getting annoyed about.

[gigi01]

smdh... ignorance is a disease (that's i have to say)

[Katie5]

Why get upset?If a not-so-informed people tells you this, you can answer one of two ways.Either you take time out to school them on what nursing really is all about or you just plain ignore them

Why get your feathers ruffled over something inconsequential as this?I believe some times, we do take delight in stirring up ruckus where there should be none.

[TDCHIM]

Why get upset?If a not-so-informed people tells you this, you can answer one of two ways.Either you take time out to school them on what nursing really is all about or you just plain ignore them

Why get your feathers ruffled over something inconsequential as this?I believe some times, we do take delight in stirring up ruckus where there should be none.

The incident itself is inconsequential. The prevailing attitude it betrays is not. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the population consciously or unconsciously undervalues the traditionally female-dominated nursing field and considers the (traditionally, not necessarily currently) male-dominated field of medicine more important. Even today, traditionally female-dominated fields like classroom teaching, nursing, and early childhood education are held in relatively low esteem (in terms of the intellectual capability required to perform the job) by the general public and have somewhat low wage rates. Those issues are troubling and problematic for a great many talented and well-educated women.

So yes, it's a mosquito bite of an incident, but a West Nile Virus of an issue.

[LuxCalidaNP]

As an NP student, I get it ALL THE TIME! "Wait, they do almost the same things? WHY didn't you just go to Med school?"

My answers:

1. I'd like to be doing what I want to be doing in 6 years, not 12

2. I want to have a life for my family, and not belong to a lifelong boy's club

3. "You're right, we do the same things, but as an NP, we try not to be a D@#$ about it.

4. Doctors diagnose people. Nurses heal people

5. More time to listen

(Hilariously, the 4 MDs that asked me that question received my answers with, "damn, I should have been an NP!")

One of my instructors always told us (and I still love this definition), "Your most important duty as a nurse is to protect you patient...from their physicians."

:)

[Muffy5]

I actually got this same question from another nursing student when I told him I wanted to be an NP. I just replied, because it is a totally different culture! I care about the patients, not just what is going on with them physiologically. I believe it is the best of both worlds! I find that people truly are misinformed about how much nurses actually do and know. I often feel this way from my own family. Most likely they are not going to change their minds, until they are placed in a situation where they can truly understand and respect the role of the nurse.

[danceswithsnakes]

Becoming a doctor is 100x more difficult than becoming a nurse, which is why I'm a nurse and not a doctor, but that still shouldn't mean that a nurse's job is somehow less important. I'm proud to be a nurse, and no one will ever take that away from me.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

What is more insulting is when my own mother whom is a RN asks me why don't I become a doctor or NP. Just because I'm 21 doent mean I want to go to school until I'm 32! I also love being a nurse and working directly with patients. Of all people I never thought my moher would be asking me this...

[dcarriv]

i have always told people that i am too nice and too smart to be a dr. i have also told people that i like being able to do my shift and go home and not get the endless calls that drs do.