Why are nurses disrespected so much?

[fitfabfunnurse2b]

Hi all! I just started our clinical this week as a new nursing student and there is something that's been bothering me and I just can't seem to come to terms with it... why are nurses so disrespected? I've seen nurses treat other nurses like dog crap and the pts treat them like slaves essentially-- ungrateful, degrading, etc. I'm shocked that this is the way the heirarchy is structured... Dr's are gods, nurses are peasants. We've worked way too hard in school and beyond to be subjected to this treatment. I guess this is also my phlegmatic personality coming thru... but wow!! Nurses are literally like Mean Girls. Sometimes I wonder, how did I end up choosing this profession again? It sickens me the way HCP are supposed to nurture and support their PTs yet they can't even treat their own coworkers like human beings... I guess I have "thin skin" but yikes this is not the kind of work environment I want to be in! Why can't we all show compassion towards each other? I'm a very kind person and I feel like I'm going to get spat on in the nursing world... rant over.

[txmurse69]

I always laugh when I see students posting in non-student forums because I know your about to get slammed. Stick to the student forums until your done with school. There is a reason Nursing loses 30% of new nurses within 3 years. The real every day is not like TV, it's not "Nurse Jackie" or "Greys". The real world of nursing, especially on a Med-Surg unit is much more down and dirty than the made up Florence Nightingale world school talks about or that the public perceives it to be. Where I work we are outwardly harsh to each other at times (if you don't know us), reality is it's all in jest, it's blowing off steam. I'm 1 of 3 males on my unit and one of the most senior staff. My coworkers joke that while I seem mean it's just my gruff exterior and tell nubies and students to not be scared, lol. I'm just blunt and to the point, I don't sugar coat things with my coworkers. As I've told coworkers and management I save the smiles and support for my patients who actually need it. I'm not there to make nurses, cna' s or MD's feel good about themselves, that's their responsibility to themselves. So put on your big girl pants and suck it up.

[Akay1717]

"Why can't we all show compassion to each other?" A question I've asked myself so many times over. The answer: We live in a world with a lot of broken and hurting people. Nursing is a hard, hard job and one of the reasons it's so difficult is because we work with people. Patients, doctors, techs, other nurses, management and on and on. Everyone we work with has someone to answer to, a role to play... but you're right we shouldn't be dis-compassionate to each other no matter what our job title or role or who we answer to.

Being countercultural in healthcare normally means actually being someone with compassion. What you personally can do? First and foremost have grace and compassion on yourself and then extend that to others no matter how nasty they are. You became a nurse for a reason. Hold on to that reason and continue showing up, continue doing the right thing, and master the art of setting boundaries and being the bigger person.

When I was a brand new nurse I was extremely bullied by another nurse. Everyone said to stand up to her because it's what she wants. I chose to kill her with kindness. And if you knew me this was no easy feat. I spent a lot of time in the med room fuming mad. But I never showed her that she got to me. I was kind, and continued to focus on doing my job. A year later I was made charge nurse and her patient started rapidly going down hill from symptomatic a.fib. I helped her, we worked together and when I ended up leaving that job she legit bought me a card and wrote me a message about what a good nurse I was. I never gave her what she wanted, I chose to respect her and focus my mind on bigger things than her attitude.

Don't let people steal your joy. Focus on being a good nurse the rest will take care of itself.

[AngelKissed857, BSN, RN]

You rock! It seems as if anyone posts about bullying or NETY, the poor OP- who is only wanting a discussion, or support, is blasted. Hats off for taking the time to show just the tip of the iceberg on how prevalent and damaging this behavior/culture is, especially in our profession. No offense intended to anyone out there who has never experienced this phenomena- but it does exist.

[ILUVERNSG, MSN, RN]

OP- It's a tough career for sure... Not everyone is cut out to be a nurse.

[AngelKissed857, BSN, RN]

TriciaJ said:

It is illegal and against terms of service to misrepresent oneself as a nurse.

But she didn't- it CLEARLY says nurse2b! OP is excited about becoming a nurse in the future, and she states that in her user name.

[kakamegamama]

Tammi123 said:

Seriously, ever heard of eating your young? Give the poor kid a break about the user name. Are we really SO insecure that a student that is working towards being a nurse is such a threat? They are very concerned about the way that patients treat nurses. This is a very valid concern and one we should address and help them to find their way toward resolving. Making the user name the issue is a coup out. Avoiding an issue that all "nurses"- experienced, newbie or student need to unite to address. This is part of the problem. We let levels of experience and ego get in the way of a united front that makes us all stronger. Support this individual and offer up your own experience, don't be threatened by someone that is seeing things with fresh eyes.

Better to correct her use of the term "nurse" now than have her get into serious trouble for breaking the law.

[kakamegamama]

Skippingtowork said:

There is no one alive who has not felt disrespected or been treated like a slave. Not even Jesus:)

Evidence?

[kakamegamama]

Horseshoe said:

Speak for yourself. I've never been treated like "a slave' at any of my jobs. The times I've ever been treated with disrespect have been very few. But "slave"? Nope.

Me neither....

[kakamegamama]

AngelKissed857 said:

But she didn't- it CLEARLY says nurse2b! OP is excited about becoming a nurse in the future, and she states that in her user name.

But, she did, until she changed it.....

[NuGuyNurse2b]

AngelKissed857 said:

But she didn't- it CLEARLY says nurse2b! OP is excited about becoming a nurse in the future, and she states that in her user name.

Actually it wasn't always that username, hence the ensuing dialogue that you quoted. OP changed her screen name, or rather, was asked to change her screen name by mods per the rules of the forum.

[Amethya]

I worked at Cardiologist as my first job as CMA and I wasn't happy. The place was a toxic environment and it got me to have to take Kolopin because my anxiety went up. I left as soon as I could and found another job that I'm actually happier in.

You're there to learn, not get into the gossip. You aren't out of school yet, do what you're suppose to do, don't make too much issues and let them talk. Then once you're done, if you aren't happy with the environment and they want to hire you, then say no.

You'll find a good place soon, I know you will. But just keep your head down and just observe. It's easier to notice things that others don't if you.

[Flopadopilus]

I've only been an RN for a couple years now and feel proud to have earned the title. I think it depends on which unit you work on and I do realize every team has different dynamics. The first place I worked was not a pleasant place to be, but the second place I'm currently working has great team work and I feel respected. You will see different places and get to find a good fit, just be open to the process.