What is a REAL Nurse?????

Nurses General Nursing

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6 monts ago, I got my first nursing job in a medical spa. I do laser treatments, Botox. Juvederm, etc. etc. etc. I really enjoy it. Most of my clients are nurses themselves. EVERYDAY for the last 6 months, nearly every nurse that has laid on my table has asked me. "So, what's your REAL job?", when I tell them that I don't have another job...this is my job...they kind of roll their eyes at me, give me the pity look, and say, "Well this isn't REALLY a nursing job". Even my own mother who is an R.N. says that a monkey can do my job! It has made going to work very frustrating, because everyone is looking down on me. I love my job, but hearing that people think my job is worthless is very degrading. (Honestly, I don't find these nurses very wise....criticizing someone holding a laser or needle to your face).

I just got offered a position at a SubAcute/Rehab Center, I start in a few days (nervous!!!). Well, when I told my patients at the medi spa about that job...thinking *whew* they aren't going to be so condescending toward me now. They STILL rolled their eyes, shook their head, and said..."Oh well, at least you're ALMOST there to becoming a REAL nurse." I am really apalled at how judgemental other nurses can be! What is this so-called REAL NURSING???? This wasn't just one or two people...at least 20 nurses have criticized me for just working in a medispa...and now they are turning around and saying SubAcute is also NOTHING.

Honestly, I don't need their praise, or acceptance...but hearing it everyday is annoying. I went to college, got my B.S.N., and took the NCLEX just like them. I take care of people everyday...maybe I don't work in a hospital, but I sure as hell am a NURSE. What's with the attitude from these nurses???

Medispa nurses, Clinic nurses, LTC/SubAcute/Nursing home nurses, school nurses, camp nurses, so on and so forth....we are all nurses! Right?

What's with the attitude from these nurses???

i'd say it's ENVY.

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Specializes in Quality Nurse Specialist, Health Coach.

They sound like they are jealous that you have a good job that you enjoy. They are probably not happy where they are so they take it out on others who enjoy what they do. Yes, you are a nurse. We all took NCLEX, passed, and received our license (that clearly states Registered NURSE). The beauty of nursing is that there are so many specialties. Not everyone is suited for the hospital, I'm one of them, but it doesn't make us any less of a nurse.

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Specializes in med-surg,dementia care, management, VA.

A nurse is in the heart, not the job description.

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Quick answer: A REAL nurse is anyone who passes the NCLEX-RN. :nurse: Don't get discouraged.

There are so many different options with nursing which is what makes it so special. What other profession could someone work in a spa, a school as a nurse or a nurse educator, a helicopter, out in the community, any factory/company, private clinic, government jobs, insurance agency, their own homes, their client's homes, psychiatric facillities, and on and on and on? Those are just a few of the specialties not in the hospital. There's tons more inside the hospital. We're all nurses (or future nurses) no matter where we choose to work.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse.

Please don't quit a job that you enjoy doing just because of what other people may think or say. When it comes right down to it, they aren't the ones that are putting on their shoes and going to said job. Follow your bliss! And good luck :D

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

Those nurses are probably jealous! If you are happy at your job then why leave? Nursing is so diverse! I think maybe what one considers a "real nurse" is the stereo typical hospital setting nurse. In reality a portion of nurses do that job. Don't let yourself be persuaded if you know what you like doing.

I was a hospital mother-baby nurse for little while and felt like I wasn't gaining a lot of "skills" like I would working in med/surg or other areas. Other nurses in the hospital thought all we did was rock babies all day. Now I work in med/surg and rehab and I would LOVE to get back to doing mother-baby again!

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Specializes in ICU.
6 monts ago, I got my first nursing job in a medical spa. I do laser treatments, Botox. Juvederm, etc. etc. etc. I really enjoy it. Most of my clients are nurses themselves. EVERYDAY for the last 6 months, nearly every nurse that has laid on my table has asked me. "So, what's your REAL job?", when I tell them that I don't have another job...this is my job...they kind of roll their eyes at me, give me the pity look, and say, "Well this isn't REALLY a nursing job". Even my own mother who is an R.N. says that a monkey can do my job! It has made going to work very frustrating, because everyone is looking down on me. I love my job, but hearing that people think my job is worthless is very degrading. (Honestly, I don't find these nurses very wise....criticizing someone holding a laser or needle to your face).

Enough said :lol2:

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

People sure do say some stupid stuff!

When they also add the annoying phrase, "oh, you work in --------- (fill in the blank), I could neeever do that" grrrrrrr :mad: Often it is said about patients who need us most, too.

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Specializes in -.

Wow...Thats horrible to hear !

"Honestly, I don't find these nurses very wise....criticizing someone holding a laser or needle to your face"

I second that...maybe next time one of those critizing nurses come on, you can ask them if they would much prefer a person off the street to laser their face or insert a needle :uhoh3:

I am currently doing a Division 2 course in Australia (which I think is the same as LPN in America..?) and can give out medications, dress wounds, give injections, etc....but I am still told by other nurses that I am "not a real nurse...just a little helper".....even though (when I finish my course in a few months) I will have a nursing license and be regarded as a RN in my state (Victoria).

It makes me so mad :mad:

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I'm not sure about them, but I'm jealous. I would love to work in a spa like environment, with normal hours. Maybe they are just jealous.

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

if you enjoy your position at the medi-spa, the 'buzz kills' can take a hike. it really sounds like jealousy, or some sort of self esteem issues being reflected as bullying.

i receive botox for my 'angry 11' between my brow, and i certainly would not want anyone other than my rn lady to do it! what do they want, some layperson injecting them?! it is the perfect use of your nursing skills!

there are so many different fields for nurses, you happened to find a very awesome, imo, position which allows you to use your skills.

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This may sound horrible to some but my paychecks are real. REAL BIG. Choose the area that is best for you. After 16 years in almost every concievable specialty I am happy where I am. And if it's any consolation almost EVERY profession has this. Surgeons look down on GPs criminal defense attorneys look down on public defenders blah blah blah.

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