“Don’t ask the nurse; not a molecule of her brain is close to a doctor’s knowledge.” – said: those who know nothing about nurses!
Before mocking a nurse, dwell on the fact that there’s a special day dedicated to these working bodies – National Nurses Day, held on May 6. Nurses serve in the frontlines of every healthcare facility, so it’s time you cut them some slack and recognize their contribution.
Nurses may be an old-timing profession, but there are still a few things people always get wrong about nurses. For starters, you might consider nurses to be “doctors’ assistants,” performing minor tasks, such as administering patients their medication and changing bed-pans. We don’t blame you because some popular medical TV series such as Scrubs, HOUSE MD, and Grey’s Anatomy have portrayed doctors as the heroes, whereas the nurses get a bone thrown at them now and then. But this is obviously wrong!
Regardless of the many nurses’ attempts to slam common stereotypes, several misconceptions continue to linger. Let’s put some light on the matter and discuss the seven false impressions people have of nurses.
Nursing is a woman’s profession
You thought nursing was a woman’s job? NEWSFLASH: it is for all genders!
Even if we put this in the newspaper, people will still have their doubts. What attracts people to the nursing profession is the passion for interacting with others and impacting other peoples’ lives. This aspiration isn’t limited to women; it is universal.
Almost 6% of nurses are men – and the numbers are rising rapidly! Men have always contributed a significant piece to the nursing profession, reflecting the first-ever nursing school in 250 BC. Hard to believe, right?
There’s no money in it
Those days don’t exist anymore when people used to consider nursing as a low-paying job. With advanced degrees and additional certifications, a nurse can easily net a six-figure salary.
As a matter of fact, nurses have unique designations, such as an FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) and an ACNP (Acute Care Nurse Practitioner). These roles allow them to earn plenty of bucks via private practice. Both are highly sought-after job positions, and nurses often debate over an acnp vs fnp in terms of future growth prospects.
Nurses are just doctors’ pets
Sure, one of a nurse’s duties is to assist the doctor, but the rest of the nursing work is automated and just as essential to a patient as a doctor’s work. Nurses treat and diagnose patients every day, giving life-saving care and administrating tests. Also, nurses are in charge of patient education and advocacy. This means that it is usually a nurse, not a doctor, who will advise a patient on how to take care of themselves after leaving the medical center or the hospital.
On the contrary, if the doctor happens to be a useless quack, blindly following their orders can get a nurse in trouble. Nurses have an ethical responsibility to make the call and do what’s best for their patients. Nurses help save lives, so relegating them to the position of a doctor’s pet is not only unfair but plainly inaccurate as well.
Nurses are only available in hospitals
Didn’t we just tell you that nurses can earn extra bucks via a private practice?
According to reliable research from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 60% of nurses work in local, private, or state hospitals. Additionally, registered nurses may also be found in physicians’ offices, residential care facilities, government organizations, healthcare, and nursing services.
Furthermore, not every nurse’s job is to treat patients. Some may work as “customer service” at a healthcare corporation, while others may supervise a facility. There are many career options for a nurse! Ever heard of a travel nurse?
Nurses want to become doctors
If that were true, we wouldn’t be arguing over here!
Without a doubt, nurses are passionate about what they do. While doctors train to prevent, treat, and diagnose illness, nurses prioritize patient care and ensure seamless treatment delivery. Part of what evaluates a nurse’s success is her/his ability to relate and empathize with the patients individually. Nurses choose this profession for various reasons, but the bonding and close interaction with patients enables them to make a difference.
It is easy to get straight A’s in a nursing school
It is not!
A student nurse must pass four tough years of learning how to offer outstanding care to patients while backing information up with correct facts. It is just as difficult as earning a doctorate.
Nurses work 24/7
Indeed, a career in nursing can suck the life out of you. On the flip side, this growing field offers some flexibility. Since there are plenty of nursing career options available, the working hours vary. Still, those in private practices will have to work the typical office hours; others may run shifts of 11 to 12 hours for four to five days, with the following four to five days off.
The takeaway
Are your doubts gone, or are you still pondering over some misconceptions?
While they don’t wear white coats, nurses are the behind-the-scenes heroes in the healthcare industry. They continuously try to give their best shot (figuratively and literally!) when caring for their beloved patients.
In general, nursing isn’t as simple as it looks. The voyage to becoming a nurse is a rollercoaster ride. And if you are considering a nursing career, don’t let those misguided noises get you down!
