Social Class and Nursing

Published

  1. Your social class?

    • 4
      Lower
    • 29
      Lower Middle
    • 70
      Midde
    • 50
      Upper middle
    • 4
      Upper

157 members have participated

This is not a question about ECONOMIC class/how much you make. I've noticed a fair number of nurses who make the same amount of money are varied in their social class. This isn't a value judgment, but it is visible in the food nurses eat, clothing choices, recreation, and behavior. (My prepatory school educated, Latin and Greek speaking, fair trade, organic eating husband readily points out my lower socioeconomic habits, which I enjoy and am unlikely to change.)

Does social class impact where you work? I've heard nurses complain you won't survive at the major hospital here if you're not a Stepford wife. I've also looked at facilities and thought I wouldn't fit into the predominant culture.

Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
You know it's always something with nursing. This cliquish profession with it's women. And it's crap. I can't wait to get out of this profession. I'm counting down the days. To answer your stupid question, not necessarily. It depends on how long you've been a nurse; if you're PRN or full time. if you work night shift or not determines your pay. What's up with stepford wife crap???? I haven't seen one yet maybe they work in psych where they don't do anything but sit on their butt and medicate people. the nursing profession is a waste of time. if you're in it now get out. i told this 16 year old girl to not go into nursing. it'll be the best decision she'll ever make. she'll be thanking me 20 years down the line when she's my age. i'm glad that i didn't become a nurse.

This community is named, allnurses ... you're talking about wasting time ... why are you even wasting your time here on this forum?? And FYI, I don't know of ANY psych nurses who get to sit on their butts all day and just medicate. I spend almost my entire shift providing NON-MEDICATION relief/interventions to a pt with psych/behavioral modification needs. Alongside this, add on g-tube care, wound care, etc. I mean I don't want to WASTE your time listing all the things I do... gladly. And with pride because the patient lives at home with her sweet mother who would love to care for her but is disabled herself, so needs the services of a private duty home health nurse.

It is exhausting and requires a great deal of emotional intelligence and both mental and physical endurance. But if I am equipped to deliver skilled care, no matter the environment, I will. This is what I chose as my career and I get paid accordingly. Just to finish, what I do, and what all these other wonderful nurses here do in their field of expertise is most certainly NOT a waste of time. I'm sure there are many people (nurses and patients/families) that will second my motion.

Sorry for getting off subject. I did vote BTW. I consider myself smack in the middle. Considering both my husband and my circumstances.

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Specializes in PCCN.

The most awkward class interactions were when I would horseshow groom to work off paying for my "hobby". Talk about class differences. I enjoyed(actually loved) the work, but it was pretty annoying when the little 10 year old would get off her 100,000 dollar pony and hand me the sweaty reins and say "here". But it was my job. :)

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Specializes in CVICU CCRN.
The most awkward class interactions were when I would horseshow groom to work off paying for my "hobby". Talk about class differences. I enjoyed(actually loved) the work, but it was pretty annoying when the little 10 year old would get off her 100,000 dollar pony and hand me the sweaty reins and say "here". But it was my job. :)

Oh wow this brought back memories. I was the little snot with the pony (or rather, - warmblood; I didn't do Pony Club) until my mother died. Then I cleaned enough tack and stalls, wrapped enough legs, and braided and pulled enough manes to give me arthritis in both hands. On the plus side I ended up a trainer and had some amazing experiences that wouldn't have been possible otherwise - I look back and say it was worth it :yes: Also, I feel like there is nothing like some tough-ass horse girl work ethic to get you through nursing school and nursing in general.

To answer the post - I consider myself middle class. I was raised well (in some ways; Mom dying caused some large shifts as my father wasn't quite ready to father), I'm educated, and have had some wonderful cultural experiences. I was then a single mother for over 12 years until I met my current husband, who holds a PhD and teaches at a large University.

We we tend to enjoy the outdoors with a smattering of wine/food/art events. We are secure enough financially, although I am constantly trying to improve my financial discipline. I did ok as a single mom, but now that the nest is empty, I tend to splurge on things I could do without.

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Specializes in NICU.
This does not surprise me. Many members of the public view nursing as a career that does not usually attract the best and the brightest of society.

Totally disagree. Where I live, as soon as I say I'm a nurse, especially when I say I'm getting my BScN and becoming an RN...people usually act very impressed and say things about how smart I must be etc. I have only seen an admirable attitude around here, and nurses are very highly respected. I live in Ontario, Canada.

I grew up working class. Neither of my parents even had high school...my dad fixed coke machines in restaurants and my mom was a CNA before you even needed a diploma..she just got hired off the street. We lived in a modest house, but I always had enough. I never really wanted for anything.

According an income/class indicator website I found for Canada, we are upper-middle class. My husband and I make about $110,000 per year before taxes. We have a modest, but nice house. We have 1 car between us, which we bought new. My husband drives the car to work and I take public transit or walk where I need to go unless he's home and I can use the car. Our friend groups are mostly working class...my best friend and her husband work min wage jobs, and most of my friends do or have a college diploma. Most of my friends look at me in a higher regard because I have a degree. We are also pretty young and dont have much savings yet, also because I just finished my BSCN and paid for it out of my pocket...so thats where all our money went the last few years.

So technically, "upper middle class." But socially, we dont live that way. I'd say we live a very working or middle class lifestyle.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.
(Sigh)

I'm going to come off sounding like a precious snowflake but here goes:

I don't fit into any specific class really.

I live in a very small, low rent one bedroom apartment. I drive a tiny putt putt gas economy car. I dress fair to middle of the road, certainly don't have the shoe collection most of my friends have. When I eat out, it's a local low cost diner, and maybe twice a year I get wild and go to AppleBee's. Other than HBO, I have very few luxury items in my monthly bills.

On the other hand, I've saved for retirement well beyond the level my friends with the shoes have. For the first five years of my career, I was committing over 10% to retirement. I don't do that much anymore, but I still put well more than my company matches in. I also have a savings/emergency account. It is about 1.5 times my usual yearly intake.

So, I honestly don't know where I land. If you see me on the street and how I live, you'd say lower middle class. If you were aware of how I've put myself in a position of security (I can vote with my feet and leave a bad situation job wise any time I please) you'd think otherwise.

I'd say you are doing well, wherever you land!

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.
Idk it's a totally blue collar until you rise to administration or possibly advanced practice.

No. I don't think you can say nursing is blue collar. If a surgeon digs in blood and guts, does that make him blue collar? I think the "profession" and education make it something other than blue collar.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I was raised upper middle class, that includes my hobbies, sports I like and yes, the way I carry myself. I think we are blissfully ignorant as a society when we try to believe we are all alike. I enjoy hearing what others from different strata do to enjoy life. Diversity is pretty interesting.

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You know it's always something with nursing. This cliquish profession with it's women. And it's crap. I can't wait to get out of this profession. I'm counting down the days. To answer your stupid question, not necessarily. It depends on how long you've been a nurse; if you're PRN or full time. if you work night shift or not determines your pay. What's up with stepford wife crap???? I haven't seen one yet maybe they work in psych where they don't do anything but sit on their butt and medicate people. the nursing profession is a waste of time. if you're in it now get out. i told this 16 year old girl to not go into nursing. it'll be the best decision she'll ever make. she'll be thanking me 20 years down the line when she's my age. i'm glad that i didn't become a nurse.

Okay, well, you now have zero credibility. You clearly don't know what the hell you are talking about, so anything else you post will be viewed with the skepticism it clearly deserves.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I guess I had a privileged childhood.... Upper middle class. Over the years I've pretty much thrown that away. I live a pretty simple life. I rent the bottom floor of a falling apart Victorian, my parents helped me buy my car..... I have since paid them back....... Which is just a regular car.( my 12 yr old Hyundai died) I buy my clothes 2nd hand, spend more money on my cats food then mine. My kids have grown and are on their own, but I did work like a dog to put them through University... ( Mom I need $500.... Pick up call and overtime)...still helping the last one.... She's taking Psychology with a pediatric focus in Germany ( the exchange rate between the Canadian $ and the Euro is insane) I gave up being in an economic class long ago. I donate much of my income ( except for what my kids need) to charities like small local animal sanctuaries. I try and live on what I need.... Which does leave me with nothing sometimes.... And I agree, not a good move financially. Life is not all about social class and things.... I'd rather be happy in a job I love.....than keep up with the "Jones"

I've worked in units where women have married men or other women who have great incomes... And they do wear the newest scrub styles, have fancy cars and walk around like a dog with a sore paw so everyone can see their diamonds. I don't enjoy working with that class/group of employees or clients... I have nothing in common with them... I guess I'm not in any social class........

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
(Sigh)

I'm going to come off sounding like a precious snowflake but here goes:

I don't fit into any specific class really.

I live in a very small, low rent one bedroom apartment. I drive a tiny putt putt gas economy car. I dress fair to middle of the road, certainly don't have the shoe collection most of my friends have. When I eat out, it's a local low cost diner, and maybe twice a year I get wild and go to AppleBee's. Other than HBO, I have very few luxury items in my monthly bills.

On the other hand, I've saved for retirement well beyond the level my friends with the shoes have. For the first five years of my career, I was committing over 10% to retirement. I don't do that much anymore, but I still put well more than my company matches in. I also have a savings/emergency account. It is about 1.5 times my usual yearly intake.

So, I honestly don't know where I land. If you see me on the street and how I live, you'd say lower middle class. If you were aware of how I've put myself in a position of security (I can vote with my feet and leave a bad situation job wise any time I please) you'd think otherwise.

I wished I'd thought that way...... I usually just donate my extra, or give it to my kids..... I don't fit any group either

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
The most awkward class interactions were when I would horseshow groom to work off paying for my "hobby". Talk about class differences. I enjoyed(actually loved) the work, but it was pretty annoying when the little 10 year old would get off her 100,000 dollar pony and hand me the sweaty reins and say "here". But it was my job. :)

I groomed too! And I worked at a vet clinic to pay off my horses vet bills! Nothing like being horse poor. Wish I'd never left the barn!❤️

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Specializes in M/S, Pulmonary, Travel, Homecare, Psych..
No. I don't think you can say nursing is blue collar. If a surgeon digs in blood and guts, does that make him blue collar? I think the "profession" and education make it something other than blue collar.

Hmph. Never thought being blue collar denotes........not a profession.

Professional plumber comes to mind. Professional brick layer too. Professional contractor. Professional chef.

All jobs that have all the qualities of a profession, but are blue collar.

I'm no expert on the matter though, classifying blue vs white collar.

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