Let's be kind to other nurses even if they are not as hi-tech

I am about to launch into my nursing career. I want to be a nurse anesthetist eventually, but probably I will start out as a nursing home nurse. I admire many great nurses. However, it's disheartening to hear about some high tech nurses (ICU nurses for example) looking down on home care nurses or long term care nurses. That phenomenon exists in all professions, and it stems
from insecurity. For example, an electrician loves pouncing on
minor flaws of other electrician's jobs. We all feel insecure about our
skills, although we don't admit it. A high tech nurse would get a dose
of ego-boost by dissing the nurses in less high-tech fields. But what does that say about that nurse's view toward the holistic nature of nursing? Perhaps that nurse should have gone to a medical school. something to think about. Last edit by unsaint77 on Jan 28, '12 : Reason: to get rid of the &:: >> stuff that get displayed when I post
I'm with you, some ICU nurses do tend to be a little uppity at times. (Even my sister, who is an ICU nurse, would admit to this). I love the nursing culture on my step-down unit, no huge egos there. I've worked LTC (as a CNA) and home care (as an RN) as well. We should definitely not knock nurses in those fields, their jobs really hard and they have tons more patients to care for. As for anyone who thinks home care is easy, they are dead wrong. I went into a deep depression when I did home care because I always had tons of work to do, even on my days off. I was never done. Now, after my shift is over, I'm done and I don't even think about work. But I would never judge another nurse for being "less high-tech." All nursing positions come with a lot of stress and we should support rather than look down on one another.

I work in hospice, which is as about as low tech as you can get in nursing. I don't care what other nurses think of my career choice. I make a difference every day I go to work. That is more than enough for me.

Quote from unsaint77I am about to launch into my nursing career. I want to be a nurse anesthetist eventually, but probably I will start out as a nursing home nurse. I admire many great nurses. However, it's disheartening to hear about some high tech nurses (ICU nurses for example) looking down on home care nurses or long term care nurses. That phenomenon exists in all professions, and it stems from insecurity. For example, an electrician loves pouncing on minor flaws of other electrician's jobs. We all feel insecure about our skills, although we don't admit it. A high tech nurse would get a dose of ego-boost by dissing the nurses in less high-tech fields. But what does that say about that nurse's view toward the holistic nature of nursing? Perhaps that nurse should have gone to a medical school. something to think about.

I have never seen this behaviour that you are speaking of.Just because we use less gadgets we are no less nurses

Quote from unsaint77i am about to launch into my nursing career. i want to be a nurse anesthetist eventually, but probably i will start out as a nursing home nurse. i admire many great nurses. however, it's disheartening to hear about some high tech nurses (icu nurses for example) looking down on home care nurses or long term care nurses. that phenomenon exists in all professions, and it stems from insecurity. for example, an electrician loves pouncing on minor flaws of other electrician's jobs. we all feel insecure about our skills, although we don't admit it. a high tech nurse would get a dose of ego-boost by dissing the nurses in less high-tech fields. but what does that say about that nurse's view toward the holistic nature of nursing? perhaps that nurse should have gone to a medical school. something to think about.

I just wanted to point out one thing, --- you NEED ICU experience to be a CRNA. You might want to look into getting into a hospital, on a med surg floor, then going to ICU. Rather than starting with LTC.

Of course I will try getting into a hospital first. The job market in my area doesn't look very promising, but I will still try anything. Thanks.

Well said, Ruby. I cross trained to a Cardiovascular Intensive when I worked the step down and just hated it. I felt like I was missing out on the interactions with the families and the patients. You are so correct when you say we all have our strengthes and weaknessess. It is just rewarding as a nurse when we find them early enough in our careers. So very sad to see all these new nurses say how much they hate nursing, when they have only done ONE type of nursing. There are just so many avenues open to us.

How about being kind to everyone?

Agree with ScottE. Can't help but feel insulted here.

If you feel insulted, that means you are a nurse who respects all nurses in all fields. Thanks for being a good nurse.

The only ECF nurse I ever dissed was the one who let a patient with an obviously broken femur lay suffering for 12 hours until the next nurse came on shift, threw a fit and immediately sent the patient...and I dissed her to her face. I'd do the same if it was a CRNA, ICU or a physician for that matter.