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?
I work at a sub-acute/rehab facility caring for about 10-26 patients every PM shift. I assure you we are REAL nurses. From medication administration, to dressing changes, from nursing assessments to interventions etc. We do it all, interacting with the MDs, families, PT,OT,ST, advocating for our patients and on and on. I quit trying to explain my job to people who have no idea how hard we work. Real nurses are not just in the hospital.
I don't think you should listen to them at all. I would LOVE to be in your position and have YOUR job. I am a so called "real" nurse. I work 15 hour shifts, wait on patients hand and foot, and am bound by my position to meet every single one of their not only needs but wants, all while trying to keep up with documentation that I don't have time to do. I would say the people who belittle you are JEALOUS. (I am). I would take your job in a heartbeat.
Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.
I worked HARD for my LPN, then my RN, as we all have and consider myself a real nurse no matter what anyone says. However, when I was an LPN, having graduated 3rd in my class, worked full time while still going to LPN school and was doing well in my hospital I practically commited brother-in law-acide!!!! He told me very seriously that "They hire just anyone off the streets to be an LPN, you don't have to be anything special." Thought I would just kill him and save the world, but hubby talked me out of it. sigh!!! GO NURSES GO!!!!!!
I work in an offsite methadone clinic and I get the "you're not a real nurse" thing too. Puleeze, I passed the same NCLEX and get the same pay as the nurses who work on the units in my hospital.
I don't work on major holidays because the clinic is closed!
I work 1 Sat per month for half a day and get paid for an entire day!
I don't have to wait for the next shift to show up because there is only one shift!
I don't have to fight with or supervise CNAs!
I don't get abused by patients because they sign a behavior contract and if they violate it disciplinary action up to transfer or dismissal from our program will occur!
It's a clinic so NO FAMILY members!
I am alloted one day per week to chart!
I don't give a flim-flam about what anyone thinks of my job. I will never leave to bust my hump and be abused just so that someone can say I'm a "real nurse."
Specializes in geriatric, pediatric trach/vent, LTAC.
Quick answer: A REAL nurse is anyone who passes the NCLEX-RN.
I'd like to change this to anyone who passes the NCLEX, whether it be PN or RN. I am currently an LPN finishing my RN. I may work in LTC, but I'm a REAL nurse too! :)
I hate this attitude. I got it when I worked exclusively psych. Now I do both psych and med/surg. Well, the ICU and ER nurses don't think med/surg nursing is being a real nurse. Whatever. If you have RN or LPN after your name on your name tag, you are a nurse and work as a nurse. I would jump on a job like yours to get off of the floor. They are probably jealous that you thought outside of the box! Don't leave your job just b/c others say it isn't REAL nursing.
Its just like the others have posted. People like to judge and put down others because they "think" they are so high and mighty. I would give anything to love what I do because right now I am just not there. You keep doing what you do because when you love what you do...you do it to the best of your abilities...If what you do is so not important why are they coming there to benefit from your expertise?
Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.
This is off topic but are you sure you want to leave that medispa to go to subacute? Please think this one through. Alot of people would kill for that job and I hope you are not doing it on account of all the dumb, judgemental people you have talked to.
Specializes in med surg, geriatric, clinical, pool.
OMG! I would love to have your job!!!! Don't give it up...STAY THERE! I have worked in the hospital, what a joke! Everyone belongs to a click...so childish.
I have worked as an agency nurse and loved it! Yes, its nursing homes, but I guess other nurses really don't know the day-to-day work in a nursing home....it ain't for the weak nurses...you have to think fast because YOU will call the shots and make many many decisions.
I loved working on the subacute floor at one nursing home and tried working on another subacute floor at the nursing home closer to my home and I didn't like it at all. I am an LPN and got in trouble by the head nurse for sending a patient out which was going into respirtory distress, she wanted me to give her Lasix IV, dumb nurse, its against the law!
Oh you really should ignore all of those bone head nurses and do what you love! Just tell them, different strokes for different nurses!
Whatever. If you have RN or LPN after your name on your name tag, you are a nurse and work as a nurse. I would jump on a job like yours to get off of the floor. They are probably jealous that you thought outside of the box! Don't leave your job just b/c others say it isn't REAL nursing.
Bre14
67 Posts
I work at a sub-acute/rehab facility caring for about 10-26 patients every PM shift. I assure you we are REAL nurses. From medication administration, to dressing changes, from nursing assessments to interventions etc. We do it all, interacting with the MDs, families, PT,OT,ST, advocating for our patients and on and on. I quit trying to explain my job to people who have no idea how hard we work. Real nurses are not just in the hospital.