So you're just a nurse?

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Aug 17, 2016

This next part might be controversial. Peoples' reactions to your occupation often depend on their occupational prestige and the rung of the economic ladder that they occupy. So, a call center agent making $12/hr would probably be impressed upon hearing you are a nurse. Nonetheless, an investment banker with a corner office who earns $175,000/yr would probably not be all that impressed.

There's some truth to this...although my personal experience is the high earners seem to think I should be paid more. :up:

Libby1987 · Aug 17, 2016

Although I am definitely not ashamed of what I do, I generally do not tell random people that I am a nurse unless they specifically ask. People don't approach me for medical advice or carry on about their health issues, probably because I don't give off that approachable vibe.
This next part might be controversial. Peoples' reactions to your occupation often depend on their occupational prestige and the rung of the economic ladder that they occupy. So, a call center agent making $12/hr would probably be impressed upon hearing you are a nurse. Nonetheless, an investment banker with a corner office who earns $175,000/yr would probably not be all that impressed.
Anyhow, you will feel more liberated by not paying attention to peoples' perceptions of your chosen career pathway. Good luck to you!

I'm not arguing with your experience but for me I think it has had a lot less with what I do than with my confidence and composure. I'm sure it also has much to do with my job satisfaction. It's difficult to look down on someone who visibly loves their work.

Or maybe I'm just oblivious.

dr2bpierrechow · Aug 17, 2016

take pride in what you do and own it.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Aug 17, 2016

I certainly don't care what anyone else thinks about my career. Because I'm a nurse, I spend far less time being evaluated by doctors than the average person. Because I'm a nurse, I don't have to worry about whether or not I'll have a job when I tire of this one or it tires of me.

Because I'm a nurse, those judgmentalists who may be looking down on me as a nurse will soon be looking up at me from a hospital bed at the first sign of the sniffles, because they don't know that in 7-10 days or sooner, the sniffles will probably leave on its on (my wallet thanks their ignorance for the business) :up: .

But the main reason I don't care what they think is that they don't sign my check, nor contribute to my existence in any way. At the end of the day, they will need a nurse before I will.

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Aug 17, 2016

There is no "just a nurse". We are a trusted and honored profession.

FurBabyMom, MSN, RN · Aug 17, 2016

My friends from high school went into the cosmetology program. I'm going to college and into the nursing field. I pray to God I can meet them again one day at the hair place where they work and casually explain what I do for a living. Meanwhile they are cringing on the inside at their last paycheck. Teehee~!
(I'll leave a nice tip)

Um...no. Just no. I would not advise this "superiority" complex.

One of the things that can be a challenge is remaining humble. You're a person, as are your former classmates. Everyone puts clothes on in a similar way. Nobody is really better than another. Financially or otherwise.

I have friends who do all kinds of things - cosmetology, childcare, education, medicine, nursing, physical therapy, marine science, biology, pharmacy, chemistry... I'm really no better or no worse than they are. If I did hold that attitude I may need to re-evaluate how I define friendships.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 17, 2016

Sorry I didn't seem to be able to quote you Sour lemon
I might not of been clear (my mistake), I don't have "friends" who don't know what I do for a living! They all know what I do! and it is also on social media etc.
I should of been a lot clearer in my original post if that is how it came across.
My mistake :)
To clarify (maybe I also asked way too many questions)
Do you enjoy talking to random people about what you do? Or listen to people's various ailments (the whole speak to your GP doesn't work for me)
Do you ever face assumptions about what nurses do and have to explain what you do
And if you are like me who doesn't like to speak about what you do when you are at the hairdressers etc is there a way to shut down the conversation that works for you?

I don't listen to people's random ailments. In fact, in my circle of friends, it's a joke. "Don't ask Ruby about that rash -- she'll just tell you to call your PCP." And that's exactly what I do. If "speak to your GP" doesn't work for you, come up with another phrase that does. Another one I've used is, "If it isn't below the collar bones and above the waist, I don't know anything about it" or "most of my patients have big incisions down their sternum."

Other people's assumptions about what nurses do (except, I confess, my mother's) don't bother me. If I don't want to talk about it, I change the subject. "I've read that highlights are going out of style. What do you think?"

If you don't want to talk about your job, don't. Change the subject, have a "canned spiel" that is brief enough for you and move along.

quazar · Aug 17, 2016

There is no "just a nurse". We are a trusted and honored profession.

The most trusted profession for 14 years in a row. Nurses Rank as Most Honest, Ethical Profession for 14th Straight Year (12/21/15)

ottersloveoysters · Aug 17, 2016

I'm proud to say "I'm a nurse", even when someone asks, "Are you a physician?" which does happen from time to time. I worked hard to get my license and I work hard at my job. I also think I'm very lucky to have a job that I like. Sometimes I get a semi-negative comment such as, "omg I could NEVER do that (deal with blood, sick people, etc.)". I just smile and know I probably wouldn't be happy with their job.

verene, MSN · Aug 17, 2016

I've only gotten respect for telling people I'm a CNA and now a nursing student. Most people I've met have been incredibly encouraging "Wow you got into X school that's an amazing program! Congratulations!" "It's so great that you're going to be a nurse!"

It was healthcare providers across a variety of healthcare roles who encouraged me to go into nursing - I've never had a doctor look down on me for wanting to pursue nursing and even had one tell me I was smart for taking that route and voice his own regret at going into medicine over nursing.

I once had a fellow martial arts student ask me "hey you're a nursing student what happens if you elbow someone here (kidney)?" I looked him dead in the eye and said "pain." It was a friendly way of getting the point across that I was there to train not to educate everyone on physiology.

I think a lot of the social aspects around professions have to do with how you see yourself and your profession and how you convey that to others. If you're clearly excited, confident, and happy in the role you play in life - why should anyone else take issue with that?

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 17, 2016

Nurses are routinely voted the most trusted professionals for a reason: we are highly respected by the public. I haven't had too many issues with people calling me "just a nurse." In fact, outside of the occasional rude doctor I work with or crazy patients and their family, I find that I am very well regarded, especially when they hear that I work in the NICU.

Even the richie rich people, as a whole, don't view nurses lowly because guess who is taking care of their sick butts in the hospital?

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · Aug 17, 2016

You have a point. I think sometimes it can get old answering this question...but then again, no more than any other profession, I would think.

As for the "just" a nurse part...I never get the attitude of "just a nurse!" I think nursing is a well respected field.