Uncles/Aunts just don't understand...

[StudentFromNj]

Hey fellas,

So I just came back from this family party and I met some people I haven't seen in a long time.

When they asked what I was taking in college, I told them that I'm a junior in my nursing program..and man did they sure judge me.

The entire night I could hear it in peoples tones that they were "disappointed" thinking I took an "easy way out" vs all of the doctors and pre-meds in my family.

I don't know..I guess I can't really explain the feelings i'm having right now through an online post.

Just sucks being compared to the others in your family when you're actually doing really well in school.

Anyone else ever feel like this? Words of encouragement?

Thanks

[K.P.A.]

first clinical tmw? me too.

tailor your response to put the critic off balance...

it's loads of fun.

if that doesn't work, help them think even worse of you with...

"cat lady never leaves her estate to her doctor, he's too busy"

[ProgressiveThinking, MSN, CRNA]

As a nursing student myself, I go through the same thing with my family, but my story's a little different. I'm half white/half filipino. On my Filipino side, everyone thinks it's great that I'm going into nursing. On the other hand, all of my white family(MDs/engineers/lawyers) were a little weirded out at first. Then I explained to them that you can make really good money here in California, and if I ever get bored I can always switch specialties and/or further my education. My cousin who is an orthopedic surgeon even said CRNA is a pretty sweet deal for the amount of school. At the end of the day, do what makes YOU happy. AND stand up for us men in nursing, because we're coming UP.

[ItsTheDude]

sounds like your family was disapproving more on a socio-economic (status & $$$) stand rather than gender (the usual), so your family sounds like a bunch of snobs rather than the usual ignoramuses (gender).