What's wrong with being a nurse?

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When I first graduated from high school, everyone ask what I want to be? and my answer was "to be a nurse". They laughed at my answer and...... I don't care. Now I got my licensed to be a nurse, my co-workers laugh at me when I made a mistake. They think I shouldn't be a nurse. What's wrong with me here? Other than I am small and petite, I got the same education as them. I am new and they are not but they don't have to be so rude on me. We are nurses too, and we are in this profession to be a "caring person". :angryfire Tell me here.....

Its really funny that most new grads and petite nurses are having this problem. I'm very fortunate to be both a new grad and a petite nurse. Just the first week on the floor and I already had a nurse that tried something with me. I really don't understand why they feel they can look down on you because you are petite. One of the nurses almost sent me to pick up blood for her until I realised what she was trying to do. Its Just funny because I've been in 2 different hospitals where I've experienced this issue. They usually forget you are an RN just like them and pretty soon you won't be so new. I say we need to Just hang in there and be the best we can at our Job. Being assertive also goes along way. With this experience, I now pay close attention and watch out for those nurses that want to look down on me. Its good to let them know from the start that they can't try that with you.

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There's some strange mentality in Nursing that says we have to abuse our newbies. I have observed this for the 40 years I've been in Nursing. And I'll admit that I've probably done some of it too, but I think mine was more in the form of a friendly hazing, (sending the new guy for 3 feet of sterile fallopian tubing) rather than having the attitude "you're not as good as I am". Just hang in there and once your coworkers realize that you're as good as you say you are, you'll be accepted. And if they don't, threaten them with me. :lol2: Take care and have a good career. Alan

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Hospice,IV Therapy.

I remember my high school guidance counsellor telling me that I should take secreterial classes in case I didn't make it through nursing school!! Gee, thanks for the encouragment!!

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Specializes in Tele, Infectious Disease, OHN.
I think a lot of nurses belong on the Jerry Springer Show.

I'll go if you will:idea:

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When I first graduated from high school, everyone ask what I want to be? and my answer was "to be a nurse". They laughed at my answer and...... I don't care. Now I got my licensed to be a nurse, my co-workers laugh at me when I made a mistake. They think I shouldn't be a nurse. What's wrong with me here? Other than I am small and petite, I got the same education as them. I am new and they are not but they don't have to be so rude on me. We are nurses too, and we are in this profession to be a "caring person". :angryfire Tell me here.....

To answer your burning question, there is nothing "wrong" with being a nurse. And congratulations on getting your license! Not an easy hurdle to get thru as every nurse who's ever gone through the nerve-wracking process will tell you. Did you know that nurses are the most trusted people by the general public, above the doctors & other professionals out there? It takes a special, dedicated, caring, selfless, intelligent person to be a good nurse. It's not your normal, 9-to-5er kind of a gig. To state the obvious, people's lives are quite literally in your hands. But in your young nursing career, it seems you've already seen the unforgiving side of it. Trust me, you'll see even worse things, but please don't let the negative steer you away from doing the right thing. Doing the right thing might mean that you'd have to spend more time looking up a med before giving it to your patient, or checking your P&P before you do a central line dressing. And you know what, you'll have some nurses even think that you're second guessing yourself, but what you're doing is protecting yourself & providing your patients with the best care possible. Not only will you be confident in your practice, but your patients will thank you and be confident in entrusting their lives into your capable hands. Trust me, they pay attention to how we do our jobs down to how often we talk on the phone to how much water we drink in a shift.

When my professor asked me why I went into nursing I said that I was in it for the money. I found out my first day of clinicals that that wasn't enough reason. It took me years to be proud of what I do. I used to even discourage youths to go into the profession because it is such a modest, humbling & sometimes thankless profession. As I slowly built up a thick skin & refined my practice, I realized that I had picked the right profession after all. I now tell young people that nursing is possibly the most fulfilling & rewarding career that can't be measured in dollars (but hey, don't get me wrong, I do like the decent pay & the fact that I get to truly enjoy my holidays).

Anyway, my advice to you, young nurse: 1. Do the right thing ALWAYS. 2. Put your patients first: be their advocate; listen to them & their family members- make them your allies 3.when in doubt take a minute to look things up & know which seasoned nurse to go to for a sound nursing advice. 4. Don't ever think you know everything 'cause 1 day a young nurse will let you know just how much you really don't know. 5.Do your best work everyday, after all, you're signing your name after it, you don't want the next shift talking about what you didn't do right. 6. And if you do make a mistake, correct it if you can, learn from it & never forget it. I've got more, but I'm being preachy now.:uhoh3:

As to your colleagues & all the other people (& by other people I mean doctors) that may do berating things to you along the way, maintain your professionalism even when you're sticking it to them. If you're confident in the quality of your work, you'll be able to defend it. Never say you're just a nurse; say, "thank goodness I'm a nurse 'cause someone's gotta do things right around here."

Have a fruitful & enjoyable nursing career. The possibilities are endless.

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Oh Lord, help nurses; I pray.

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Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.

Who cares what the others think!!! People can be so D???M judgemental!! YOur too small,too skinny,too pretty, Bad neighborhood,small house, big house,not educated enough,too fat,always something with some people.Some people try to put you down so they feel bigger and better than you.Just be yourself and who cares what these shallow people think!Do what makes you happy.

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Specializes in ICU-Stepdown.

Orenda, take heart in knowing that not ALL places are like that -my floor was very supportive of me as a new RN -and we are all supportive of new ones that join our floor. I know there are bad ones out there -and they get a lot of publicity. But there ARE good ones too.

AS for the highschoolers -now that you ARE a nurse, THEY are a non-issue. In MOST professional/career type jobs, they will find that the demand varies according to the economy and the ratio of available positions vs educated/qualified folks to fill 'em. In other words, many of them will get their education, and not have much to choose from (if anything) when it comes time to find a job. Many who DO get their job will find themselves stuck in it if they don't like the outfit because there aren't other outfits with which to move to. As a nurse, you're in an entirely different environment. You CAN pick and choose to a large degree where you wish to work, and if you don't like it there, there are other places to work -and other parts of the same field to work IN. Nursing is VERY diversified, and offers more opportunities than most.

As for the kids -forget about them. They had zero life experience, and nothing to draw upon except what they picked up from others. Ignorance is often bliss but not particularly useful beyond that. You've outgrown them.

I wish you luck in your endeavor. Don't lose hope or get discouraged because you ended up working with some bad eggs. If they find humor in your mistakes, its often because they don't like what they see in themselves. Get some experience, and leave 'em for better digs if you want to.

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Thank you for everyone's encouragement. I love my job and enjoy working with the old people. I am not into the "workplace political" so I am an outcast to them. I think I have to take it easy on those issues since I cannot do anything about it. You guys are all great nurses. I would love to work with everyone here.

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I also think its a little difficult for young nurses to blend in completely especially when they are not yet married or have any kids and working on a floor where there are not a lot young nurses. Sometimes they have to try a little harder than older nurses.

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Don't let anybody make you feel down about being a nurse. I'm not RN yet, but while observing nurses I've worked w/ while volunteering, and knowing the job description, in my opinion, it is the most honorable profession in existence.

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yes, we should stick together, i do....but some need to grow up, but some never will :uhoh3: oh well, too bad for them..i am with you there are plenty of good nurses, most of them right here :balloons: at allnurses

i sure don't understand this "nurses eat their young" mentality. it makes you wonder why some people ever went into this profession in the first place! i'll be starting the rn program this fall, but i've been in a female-dominated profession before, so i'm prepared. i just want to know, why do they have to be that way? we nurses should stick together and support each other.
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