You're so smart, you should be a doctor.

Published

Anyone ever said this to you? Someone told me recently that with my smarts I should go for something "more" like a PA or doctor. I was only too happy to explain, in a very concise manner, why I want to be a nurse. It bothers me that people think nurses aren't as smart as doctors, or that choosing nursing means settling. I guess we just have to prove them wrong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes I've gotten this. I usually say that I'm smart enough to avoid medical school, so I won't have to be a student for 10 years or graduate with $100K in student loan debt. =)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I haven't gotten it (yet) because I am lucky to be in a family of nurses/health care folks who realize how hard it is! Surprisingly a lot of my other family members who aren't in the medical field have voiced regret over not becoming nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Yes!!! Annoying!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER trauma, ICU - trauma, neuro surgical.

It will happen throughout your nursing career. I usually get asked if I plan on becoming a doctor about once a week. It's also a gender thing too. Pts don't understand that men want to be nurses and they expect most women to only be nurses. I am a guy, and once I identify myself as a nurse, I often get the remark "you are a male nurse?" You can fill in a number of smart !@# comebacks for that one.

Some people still believe that nurses only give baths, pass pills, and fluff pillows. TV programs usually show doctors drawing blood, giving medication, doing CPR, and doing beside procedures....which are all done by nurses in the real world. You can educate pts all you want, but some won't believe anything you say until a doctor says the same thing...b/c you're just a nurse.

Best thing to do is take it as a compliment and know that there are shallow and ignorant people in the world. Don't let it get to you because it will happen over and over, year after year. When ever some one asks me if I am going to be a doctor, I say "No, I don't want to be a doctor. I am a nurse. It's a respectable career, isn't it?" They back down quick. Plus, after you have been at their bedside all day, while the doctor was there for 4 minutes, they can't imagine you not being there.

I think the doctor comment comes from pts who either have never been in a hospital very long or they are just ignorant in general. One of them will be a believer next time they are in the hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Forensic Psych.

All the time. And not just family/friends, but classmates! Because I do well in my current coursework, I suppose that means I should be doing something more rigorous? The world of nursing needs intelligent people, not just people who couldn't make it to medical school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, Pediatrics.
Some people still believe that nurses only give baths, pass pills, and fluff pillows. TV programs usually show doctors drawing blood, giving medication, doing CPR, and doing beside procedures....which are all done by nurses in the real world. You can educate pts all you want, but some won't believe anything you say until a doctor says the same thing...b/c you're just a nurse.

^^Which is why shows like "HawthoRNe" make me smile. But unfortunately that was canceled. :(

In any case, I haven't even started my ABSN program and I can already decipher the looks and remarks that I'm getting from people since I've announced my decision to go back to school to pursue a nursing career. "Wait what,you changed your mind? I thought you were going to be a lawyer?!?!" "If not a lawyer, then what about a doctor, why nursing?", as if it's a step down or something!!! I pity those that think that nurses are babysitters and that there's very little mental acuity needed to do the job that nurses do. :sigh:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I get this all the time & usually respond with, "sure, if you'd like to pay for my medical school, I'd love to!" That shuts them up pretty fast ;) lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes!!!!! My parents say this to me all the time, they say that I'm settling because they think that I believe I'm not smart enough for med school, but hey! they should be happy they don't have to help pay for ten years of schooling and possible residency.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I got the same thing when I said I was going to enroll in a masters program. "Oh you're finally going to be an NP?" NPs are great, but why is that the end all height of nursing to some? Because you're "almost" an Md? I'm going for administration because I want to shape policy and advocate for other nurses. I don't get the fascination with Medicine=smart. I am smart enough to know what I want and that has to be enough. People who think I've settled can kiss off because they obviously have no idea what they are talking about.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I get this all the time & usually respond with "sure, if you'd like to pay for my medical school, I'd love to!" That shuts them up pretty fast ;) lol[/quote']

^ good one!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It will happen throughout your nursing career. I usually get asked if I plan on becoming a doctor about once a week. It's also a gender thing too. Pts don't understand that men want to be nurses and they expect most women to only be nurses. I am a guy, and once I identify myself as a nurse, I often get the remark "you are a male nurse?" You can fill in a number of smart !@# comebacks for that one.

And not too long ago people would have said something similar to me as a female if I decided to become a doctor. :rolleyes:

NPs are great, but why is that the end all height of nursing to some? Because you're "almost" an Md?

Even some of my classmates are already talking about their plans to become NPs, and we're still in the pre-nursing phase. Honestly I just want to be a really awesome RN.

Thanks for the replies, everybody.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion