Why not medicine?

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Hi nurses! Have you ever been asked of this question and if so how did u respond? Or hypothetically how would you respond to this if asked?

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I always say that I wanted to spend time with the patients and treat people, not diseases. I like the personal interaction and the human bonding.

Nursing is unique in healthcare in that we are patient focused as their advocates, I like that.

Keep in mind what nursing is and what our most famous symbol is. The lady of the lamp is more than just a chick with a lamp. When everyone else goes home, we are there. In times good and times bad, we are there.

There is a reason why we are the the most trustworthy and ethical professionals for well over a decade now.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I explain that I love nursing, love being with patients, and love the inside eye I have to what's going on. Patients tell us stuff that they will not tell doctors. I will go into the room with the doctor and when he/she does a review of systems and if the patient does not bring something up I will say "tell the doctor about the headaches you've been having," for example. Medicine is its own field. Medical school is much longer than nursing school and comes with years of loans to pay off. Doctors are sued more easily than nurses. Nurses are like the conductors on the floor. Our word is very powerful when it comes to other departments.

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Specializes in Pedi.

I don't see that this question warrants a response more than "because I wanted to be a nurse and not a doctor."

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

I wonder how many times doctors are asked "how come you didn't become a nurse?" Not that value has anything to do it, but I can't help but think there's some vision of a hierarchy in the backs of the minds of the people asking these questions... and nurses fall in the middle or lower somewhere. Bite me.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

1. I don't want to work 7 days a week.

2. I don't care to have 24 hour responsibility over patients.

3. I don't want $100,000+ in student loan debt.

4. I didn't want to spend 80 hours weekly in residency.

5. I didn't want the hassle of opening a practice.

6. I don't want to be the first lawsuit target on the healthcare team.

7. I don't want office employees.

8. I don't want the responsibility of coming up with medical diagnoses.

9. I want three to four days off every week.

10. I want to be able to switch specialties quickly; this is not possible as a physician.

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I guess thats true due to a lot of social and media stigmatizing ... But why is that and do nurses get asked this question or not?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I don't see that this question warrants a response more than "because I wanted to be a nurse and not a doctor."

This.

Most of the time I get asked "when did you decide to be a nurse" or about how and why I became a nurse; I don't recall ever hearing "instead of a doctor" on the tail end of the question. :no:

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I guess thats true due to a lot of social and media stigmatizing ... But why is that and do nurses get asked this question or not?

I always looked at it that the patient thought I was smart and very good at what I did and they wondered why I "stopped" at being a nurse. My answer I didn't want to be a doctor. and what commuter said...

Jan 28 by TheCommuter Asst. Admin

1. I don't want to work 7 days a week.

2. I don't care to have 24 hour responsibility over patients.

3. I don't want $100,000+ in student loan debt.

4. I didn't want to spend 80 hours weekly in residency.

5. I didn't want the hassle of opening a practice.

6. I don't want to be the first lawsuit target on the healthcare team.

7. I don't want office employees.

8. I don't want the responsibility of coming up with medical diagnoses.

9. I want three to four days off every week.

10. I want to be able to switch specialties quickly; this is not possible as a physician.

I wanted a life outside of medicine.
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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

"Why didn't you become a doctor?"

I always answer "why didn't you?" and walk away.

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I am a little surprised at some of the negative attitudes and seemingly curt responses some nurses give when asked a generally innocent and ill-informed inquiry.

The general public does not know the difference between nursing and medicine, they believe what TV and movies have always told them, that nurses are simply doctor servants.

Take this question as a compliment, they think that you are very professional and intelligent and are wondering why, in their mind, you are not utilizing your talents in a manner that the media has deemed appropriate.

Instead of retorting like a jerk, why not educate the patient for their obvious lack of knowledge of the differences of nursing and medicine and show them why we are considered the most trustworthy and ethical profession.

The image of nursing will not change if we do not change it ourselves.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I am a little surprised at some of the negative attitudes and seemingly curt responses some nurses give when asked a generally innocent and ill-informed inquiry. The general public does not know the difference between nursing and medicine they believe what TV and movies have always told them, that nurses are simply doctor servants. Take this question as a compliment, they think that you are very professional and intelligent and are wondering why, in their mind, you are not utilizing your talents in a manner that the media has deemed appropriate. Instead of retorting like a jerk, why not educate the patient for their obvious lack of knowledge of the differences of nursing and medicine and show them why we are considered the most trustworthy and ethical profession. The image of nursing will not change if we do not change it ourselves.[/quote']

First, there is NOTHING wrong with the image of nursing, being that we are the most trusted profession; unless you have that issue. :blink:

Next, whose to say one is rude with delivery when that question-if it is asked-when asked???

If you have been a patient or a coworker of mine, then you would know I am professional and no question is a stupid question; to make that assumption that someone would be curt if someone asked the question is a bit over reaching, don't you think?

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