Other than allnurses and a couple of friends I don't like talking about my job. So much so when I am (example) at the hairdressers I say "I work in healthcare" inevitably I get "so you're a nurse?"
i find it annoying (because inevitablely i have to answer questions about my hospital, what I do etc). Also I also feel like I have to educate people on what I actually do for a living. Therefore a stress free outing becomes a bit too stressful. But there are much more things to be annoyed about in life.
However I have friends that are doctors, pharmacists etc and they read that question (they answer the way I do) as JUST a nurse. I also have friends who are assistants and they read the answer when they say assistant as JUST an assistant. Also I have friends who are male nurses and it is assumed that they are doctors and that they are therefore JUST a nurse.
Obviously I have a sensitive bunch of friends but I am wondering if you view this the same way or have had the same experiences. Is there also a little unintended sexism? And what are your feelings on it?
Given the option of "just a nurse" or "superpower", I'll opt for just a nurse, thankyouverymuch. Sorry, I'm not one of those nurses that believe nursing is a "calling" or that we are in possession of any super powers bestowed upon us from an unknown entity. Come back when you ARE a nurse and you may see it that way too.
Speaking as an outsider who worked in a hospital but not in patient care: Nursing is not just a job, it is a Superpower. Anyone who puts the words "just a" in front of nurse clearly has not born witness to the dazzling efforts put forth daily. It is why, at 46, I am back in school finishing up the GE requirements with the hope of becoming one of you.
Oh my. Be prepared for the possibility of a shaved head!!
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~!
No one other then a fellow nurse really knows what I go through so I try not to go into detail when speaking of what I do. I save my breath and keep it short and sweet!
I don't very much care WHAT anyone thinks of my career choice. I'm becoming a nurse for me, period. When you grow up below the poverty line, "just" a nurse feels like a pretty damn good privilege.
There are times when I want to be doing other things and not talk about work. I am an avid knitter and make it a point not to discuss being a nurse at my class. That's my time and I don't really want to hear people's health problems. I just want to enjoy my time. So, is this kind of what you mean?
Once, I was taking a jewelry class with another nurse friend and we both worked in organ transplant. We were supposed to make a brooch.and.I kid you not, the only idea my friend could come up with was a kidney. She explained it to the class and soon we heard all about the instructor's ICU experience. I never went back to class.
I do feel that in general, nurses are respected but I wouldn't feel the need to explain what I do. BTW, I love my job and am proud to be a nurse but I have a life too.
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?
As far as shutting down the conversation...I would say..."Yes I am a nurse. But I prefer not to discuss my work on my off time." And say it with a smile and easy tone.
I think the op is just showing insecurity , I have seen it in a lot of people regardless of their profession. When people find out that I'm a nurse , I get a positive especially since I'm on the younger side. Even if I got a negative reaction, I would not care because I did not pick this profession based on people opinions.
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)
Have a good friend who makes >100,000 as a hair dresser, not sure why you would want to make someone feel stupid for their career choice, or jealous...whatever your motive may be. What a strange thing to say.
As to the OP, I don't tell anyone I'm a nurse, I dont really know why but maybe its that I don't often engage in small talk with people. And I absolutely do not ever mention it when I'm a patient, I appreciate things being explained to me.
(I'll preface this with I have not read the entire thread.)
So I have no problem telling people I'm a nurse. I'm super proud of my job. What I tend to keep close to my chest is that I'm a PICU nurse. I'm also very proud of that job but saying you're a PICU nurse gets one of two reactions. 1) "Awwwww! Babies!" with that lovey doe eyed look. And then they proceed to say they would love to hold babies all day. You get the gist. Or 2) "Oh wow, I could NEVER do that. Your job must be soooo sad." Both are annoying and lead to superficial clarification. I can't convey my 9 years of experiences in a quick encounter. So I usually say "I'm a nurse" and leave it at that unless they ask more questions. Since most people know what I do, this is mainly with strangers or new meetings and they are just asking to be polite.
I will say I've never gotten a negative response to telling people I'm a nurse (with the exception of an jerk of an ER doc when I was a patient...I discussed a few things with him regarding his comments and he actually came back and apologized). Usually people are like "Wow, that's cool." And regardless, I think my job is cool and that's about all that matters.
*My clarifications: "Actually we see patients from a few days old up to 18 technically, though we see patients into their early 20's as well. We rarely get time to hold babies and most of our patients are critically ill with lines and tubes." Or, "Yes there are some sad moments but there are some pretty amazing moments. I get to see patients who I didn't think would survive a few hours end up making a full recovery."
(I'll preface this with I have not read the entire thread.)
1) "Awwwww! Babies!" with that lovey doe eyed look. And then they proceed to say they would love to hold babies all day. You get the gist. Or 2) "Oh wow, I could NEVER do that. Your job must be soooo sad."
I swear I never want to roll my eyes more than when someone says, 'you must be a very special person'. Please stop. I'm special for a lot of reason, let's not limit it to just my job
You mean that "just a nurse" who pulled over on that rainy night and saved a choking toddler? The "just a nurse" who performed CPR on grandpa who's heart had stopped at the wedding reception?
BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN
3,520 Posts
Given the option of "just a nurse" or "superpower", I'll opt for just a nurse, thankyouverymuch. Sorry, I'm not one of those nurses that believe nursing is a "calling" or that we are in possession of any super powers bestowed upon us from an unknown entity. Come back when you ARE a nurse and you may see it that way too.