You don't LOOK like a nurse

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So, after having the most overwhelming week at school with tests in all classes and CPE's, I was excited to get together with my monthly bunco group last night. Not everyone in the group knew I was in nursing school until last night and when one of the girls overheard some of us talking about it she looked straight at me and said, "What? You don't look like a nurse!".

I was in a total state of shock that she said it, and I didn't reply because I knew if I said something it probably wouldn't be nice. I am not sure why I am letting it get to me so bad, but I can't get past it.

Has anyone else ever been told this before? I have never had an image of what a nurse should physically look like, do other people and I just don't know about it???

I don't know why this has got me so upset....I guess I just feel like I have worked so hard this week, and somebody took the wind out of my sails.

Specializes in ICU/CVICU/Stepdown.

Don't think nothing of it....I have been nursing for 10 years and I still get the comment...did you just graduate recently?....and I am not that young. I just kinda take it with a grain of salt and go on about my business.

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I wouldn't get worked up over it.

I think something like this!! :icon_roll

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Great pic! :lol2: I think the woman was just jealous. I don't think most patients don't really care how great their nurses look, just as long as they have brains, they just want to come out of the hospital alive.

Specializes in psych, pediatrics, maternity.

I still get told that I don't look like a nurse (despite being 32 years old) because I look too young. Or so the patients say. :) I wouldn't read too much into it, either. It reflects more on her as a person than it ever would on you. :)

Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

I would just brush it off. If not, these little things will eat at you.

I don't know why she would make that comment to you except that maybe she was surprised. People say such stupid things.

(My anecdote) My mother told me when I decided to go to nursing school, "Ha! I've never thought of you as the caring type." I let that eat at me for a long time. Working as a nurse and having children has affirmed to me that she is a blowhole and that I am indeed a frightfully caring person.

I don't know why some people always have to throw in some judgment to everything....

Specializes in ICU/ER.

Next month show up in and old fashioned nursing cap, :nurse:white skirt with white hose and horrible white lace up nursing shoes!!

Then ask her if she approves.

Oh and if your hair is long enough, put it in a bun!!!!

I agree she is jealous, that was an odd statement. I probably would have responded with "really you don't look like a witch".

PS I love Bunco!!!!

Specializes in Emergency Room, Cardiology, Medicine.

Everyone has different perceptions of things. In my head, the image of a nurse may be different than yours. There are less spiteful ways of saying that, though. :)

Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, PH, CM.
She's just jealous and bunko is her only outlet from Grey's anatomy and the fact that she still can't get into a program!

Some of the nurses I work with look very young-but when it comes down to it we all lool like nurses when we are running around on the floor! I repeat..She's just jealous!

I never take anything said at BunKo seriously. I have a ball, but it is a great outlet for escaping the stress of my life and having a little mindless fun. I think her remark was just mindless dribble.... Perhaps she has a negative perception of nurses and she was paying you a compliment.... Don't sweat the small stuff, there will be much worse said to you by many after you graduate.....

Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I've never played Bunko. I need to find a group. =(

Next month show up in and old fashioned nursing cap, :nurse:white skirt with white hose and horrible white lace up nursing shoes!!

Then ask her if she approves.

Oh and if your hair is long enough, put it in a bun!!!!

I agree she is jealous, that was an odd statement. I probably would have responded with "really you don't look like a witch"

PS I love Bunco!!!!

I don't know what Bunco is, but I took care of an old lady when I was doing private duty (she was an Alzheimers patient), and I can almost hear her saying it now...

You ain't no nurse! I don't know why Dr. Spurlock sends these women over here who can't even write their own name. You AIN'T no nurse!

I know what a nurse looks like, she wears a white dress, white hose, has her hair up pretty...uh uh, no, you ain't no nurse!

She even took her medicine box and carried it with her to bed beause she was sure I didn't know anything about medicine. When she would have these episodes you couldn't do a thing except stand back and leave her alone. Most of the time we were okay, I took care of her for almost a year, but when she got like this :uhoh3:

Specializes in private practice, corporate.

you must have forgotten to put on your cap!

Specializes in private practice, corporate.

:specs:you must have forgotten to put on your cap!

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