Years ago when I first became a nurse I was so proud to be called a 'nurse' I would have shouted it across the roof tops. The reason I came into nursing is very old fashioned and you are now criticized for wanting to help people and care.
Today if you admit you are a RN who came into nursing because you care about people and want to help them it is almost like you are blaspheming.
I read that only nurses who came into the profession for financial and career reasons, or because they lost their first job and have decided nurses is the career for them are the ones who succeed in the profession.
I don't believe it is true I think there is a place for both kinds of nurses, I also don't believe the ones who don't care are the most successful.
In my company you wouldn't get far up the ladder if you said you were in nursing because you are a career RN and that you don't really care about the patient. You have to really want to be a nurse to succeed and it becomes very obvious when you don't care about the patient or want to do the right thing
It is old fashioned to say why I came into nursing 24 years ago, although I didn't come into the profession initially as a career, I have had one heck of a career and have managed to climb the ladder to a dizzy height!
So for all those RN's out there who are frightened to say they came into nursing for reasons of caring or helping people-stand tall and be counted!
I always find it odd when people feel they need to shout from the rooftop that they went into nursing because they care so much. I assume most people no matter what their profession care about other people. I think people worry far too much about the motivations of others, and often use that to feel a little superior.
As far as going up the career ladder, I have never had a member of management ask me why I became a nurse when considering promotions. Also, I cannot think of a single nurse I've worked with who didn't care about the patient. Even some of the most unpleasant ones at some level appeared to care about the patients.
Yeah - those "cute scrubs" that are highlighted as a recruitment factor in recruitment commercials by one of the largest investor-owned MA programs.... That says it all, right?
Every time I see one of those commercials, I want to scream! It makes anyone who wears scrubs seem like a mindless twit. Had many discussions, and laughter, over this at work
Specializes in Neurosciences, stepdown, acute rehab, LTC.
I feel like there's some unhealthy underlying dynamic with some of these declarations of being a "nurse who CARES!!" I can't put my finger on it though. I am considered a person with good boundaries who knows when to say no. I like to be knowledgable, competent, professional, and taken seriously. I like to both learn and teach and I love to overcome challenges. Those smiley, bonding and connecting moments are always enjoyable. I feel like it's just a given that I care. But then theres this whole other category of nurses who push those "caring!" And "compassionate!" Words down your throat as though you're somehow less of a nurse If you aren't on board with it. I don't want to be guilted into being a gooshey, nurturing, motherly, smothering, possible martyr. If those are mandatory to make a good nurse then I'm an awful nurse. Sometimes that's what it seems like what people are talking about when they say announce that they "CARE" ! There are many different attributes needed to make good healthcare. It's not that it should be embarassing if you DO have those motherly and nurturing qualities. But it's also important to embrace otner qualities as well.
when you say that you think there's a place for "both kinds of nurses" are you sure about that? Because it sounds like you're putting others down for not caring when they probably actually do. This mentality can be exhausting for "other kinds of nurses" as it feels certain "caring" people are on a high horse about their soaring empathy levels even though they may not be acting empathetic towards other nurses. There TRULY is a place for many types. (Yes, there are more than two types) and we all deserve to be promoted to where our talents lie.
I don't know, I've always let my actions speak to my reasons for becoming a nurse.
After 36 years as a practicing RN, patients and families still tell me that I'm caring and compassionate. Students tell me that they hope they will have the same passion for nursing after they've done it for 30+ years.
I'm one of those weirdos who actually enjoys bedside nursing, even though it means I really have to touch sick people. Tried management, hated it.
Got my BSN in 1979. For what I enjoy doing, going any farther would be unnecessary and a waste of time and money. Doesn't mean I don't take opportunities to learn new things. I just don't feel the need to have the entire alphabet after my name.
Does this make me better than another nurse who wants to climb the NP ladder as fast as she can? Nope. Neither does it make me inferior.
I don't know, I've always let my actions speak to my reasons for becoming a nurse.
After 36 years as a practicing RN, patients and families still tell me that I'm caring and compassionate. Students tell me that they hope they will have the same passion for nursing after they've done it for 30+ years.
I'm one of those weirdos who actually enjoys bedside nursing, even though it means I really have to touch sick people. Tried management, hated it.
Got my BSN in 1979. For what I enjoy doing, going any farther would be unnecessary and a waste of time and money. Doesn't mean I don't take opportunities to learn new things. I just don't feel the need to have the entire alphabet after my name.
Does this make me better than another nurse who wants to climb the NP ladder as fast as she can? Nope. Neither does it make me inferior.
I'm damn good at what I do. That's my success.
This speaks to me the most, after what I've written myself. Thanks.
BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN
3,520 Posts
I don't care WHY someone is a nurse, just that they practice as the best nurse they can be!