how do i respond....

Nursing Students General Students

Published

My sister in law is in vet-tech school. Not veterinarian school, just vet tech school (I mean after all we are only learning about one body and she is learning about every kind of animal...). I know it is hard, but she has mentioned two times now that it is harder than RN school!!! Okay, I kinda take that as an insult and just a stupid thing to say. I am working real hard in RN school and I don't need someone telling me that what they are doing is harder. How in the world do I respond to this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

could it be that they are both hard?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, Antepartum.

There were two people in my class that were vet techs...both said RN school was harder...one even failed out. So, that could answer your question. I would just not respond. The only people who get how hard RN school is is someone who has been through it.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

Smile, be cordial and say, "I'll bet it is." I took a Zoology class with my boyfriend when I was young and in love. We had to learn the anatomy and physiology of each of the animals in each of the classifications. It was difficult because they are all different from each other and mammals are different from them all. Your sister-in-law is just as proud of what she is learning as you are and wants some recognition for it. Can't you see that?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yes, I know that what she is doing is hard, and I am very proud of her for going back to school and doing what she is doing.

I

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yes, I know that what she is doing is hard, and I am very proud of her for going back to school and doing what she is doing.

I just don't know why we have to discuss which one is harder. they seem so different. I guess what I am so angry about is that I would never tell her what I am doing is harder than what she is doing. Seems childish and sort of like splitting hairs don't ya think???

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in being a Credible Source.
yes, I know that what she is doing is hard, and I am very proud of her for going back to school and doing what she is doing.

I just don't know why we have to discuss which one is harder. they seem so different. I guess what I am so angry about is that I would never tell her what I am doing is harder than what she is doing. Seems childish and sort of like splitting hairs don't ya think???

Maybe it is harder. Or, maybe it's not. Or, maybe they're pretty equivalent. Who knows? Who cares?

Have you said to her the essence of what you said above?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
yes, i know that what she is doing is hard, and i am very proud of her for going back to school and doing what she is doing.

i just don't know why we have to discuss which one is harder. they seem so different. i guess what i am so angry about is that i would never tell her what i am doing is harder than what she is doing. seems childish and sort of like splitting hairs don't ya think???

in nursing, you are going to have to listen to patients pour their hearts out to you occasionally and you are not going to like what you hear coming out of their mouths. it's not for us to judge, only listen. listening is sometimes a very therapeutic thing for people. it's about them, not about us. we all crave recognition and self-esteem. it's on maslow's hierarchy of needs. when people don't get a need fulfilled, they find ways, some dysfunctional, to fulfill those needs. as nurses we can help facilitate a feeling of self-esteem in people simply by the way we interact with them. as nurses we are supposed to help people fulfill their needs. this is something you should be learning in your nursing classes. how hard is it to acknowledge someone's feelings? much of what you are learning in nursing school can be usefully applied to your personal life outside of school. are you only going to be a nurse when you are "on the clock"? is nursing only a job to you? is that the way you see your nursing self? getting into a tiff with someone over which school subjects are harder is immature and lacks insight. use knowledge of therapeutic communication skills to turn a conversation with your sister-in-law into a more supportive one that will leave you both feeling better.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My quick response would be: It's an interesting comparison, however, if you screw up, someone looses a pet. If I screw up, someone looses a father, mother, wife, husband, son, daughter, cousin, friend, lover, hero and mentor. Then I would question her: "With that said, which do you think should be more difficult?"

It doesn't really matter what she answers. You can't argue this "objective" observation. Difficulty of schools is subjective and really can not be measured. But you did drive home this point; nursing school is difficult.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
My quick response would be: It's an interesting comparison, however, if you screw up, someone looses a pet. If I screw up, someone looses a father, mother, wife, husband, son, daughter, cousin, friend, lover, hero and mentor. Then I would question her: "With that said, which do you think should be more difficult?"

It doesn't really matter what she answers. You can't argue this "objective" observation. Difficulty of schools is subjective and really can not be measured. But you did drive home this point; nursing school is difficult.

I can hardly believe I read the above. :madface:

I have done both. For me, the vet tech exams are way harder, the class schedule is more demanding and there is far more material because of the species differences. We don't need to push someone else down to make ourselves feel more important.

To the OP:

I agree with the others that said she probably just wants some recognition. They have an almost identical AA degree as RNs and get paid about 30% of what we make. Be kind to her, maybe she is even a little jealous.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think it's ironic that we're talking about using therapeutic conversation on a message board while giving advice. I thought this would be considered a therapeutic block (approving, disapproving) :rolleyes:. We use thapeutic techniques to help promote wellness holistically, with the ill. With that said, if someone comes up to me outside the work place and punches me in the face, I'm probably not going to try to communicate therapeutically with that person to try to figure out why they just did that.

Let's be real. Therapeutic techniques are necessary when we are working. And, They are very helpful in relationships and other facets outside of the work place. However, outside of the work place, you don't have to take anyone elses crap. It's ok to give advice on relationships, morals, financial and personal matters. Being "out of the work place" if this person is making you uncomfortable, CONFRONT IT. You can use therapeutic techniques to do it, but, you have a right to wellness as well. Don't let anyone put you down for their own benefit. To hell with that! How's that for therapeutic!

:sofahider :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
I just don't know why we have to discuss which one is harder. they seem so different. I guess what I am so angry about is that I would never tell her what I am doing is harder than what she is doing. Seems childish and sort of like splitting hairs don't ya think???

Why don't you tell her exactly that? She probably doesn't realize what she is saying is upsetting you so.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment