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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that I'm not 'too clever to be a nurse'?

119 replies

namechangee55 · 21/06/2023 19:44

After wanting to work in healthcare since I was a teenager I decided to finally take the plunge and apply to study paediatric nursing. I've told a few friends and family and whilst some have been supportive, a few have said that I'm 'too clever' to be a nurse and I should pursue medicine instead. It's kind of tarnished the excitement I feel about starting my course... I strongly disagree with them, and think nursing is a better option for me. I don't want to spend years studying medicine, and think nursing will provide a better work-life balance.

I do already have a degree Biomedical Sciences which I got a first in, and I have science a-levels (A*AB). But graduate-entry medicine is so highly competitive I don't think I'd stand a chance anyway.

I think I can still make a difference to patients' lives as a paediatric nurse and can still work my way up and have a fulfilling career.

AIBU to hate the idea that nursing is not as good an option as medicine?

OP posts:

Shinyfoil · 21/06/2023 19:48

I just assumed nurses had to be very clever to become nurses, but even if I'm wrong, surely loads of people are ‘too clever’ for their job but they want to do their job anyway.

rosesinmygarden · 21/06/2023 19:51

They are misinformed and also being quite rude about nurses, too.

If nursing is what you want to do, go for it! Good luck 😊

Nursemumma92 · 21/06/2023 19:51

Nursing degrees are quite academic now and people do not realise this! You do need to be clever, although not as clever on paper as medicine, it is still a challenging profession to go into. Nursing provides many opportunities for a varied and challenging career and you can be as ambitious (or not) as you like. It is a difficult time to be joining the profession but if it is something you feel passionate about then go for it!

TravellingJack · 21/06/2023 19:51

I agree that you'll make a huge difference, but my mum would say that nurses are overworked and underpaid, and at least doctors get paid reasonably well eventually, so I imagine that's probably where the comments are coming from. Not everyone can be a doctor and if everyone thought like that, there'd be no nurses at all. Nurses are so badly needed, so YANBU - I think it is largely about perceived value based on pay.

Itisyourturntowashthebath · 21/06/2023 19:52

Being very clever and being a nurse will allow you to work your way up.
Get the nay sayers to check the salary for a band 8 nurse.
Good luck

Maztek · 21/06/2023 19:52

People will always be rude to you when you’re a nurse. I’m a mental health nurse and am leaving the career now. Grow a thick skin! The degree is hard work.

Tiredmum100 · 21/06/2023 19:55

I had this too OP. I was going to train to be a nurse and was told I should train to be a doctor instead. No, I wanted to be a nurse. They are completely different jobs! Anyway, I am now a nurse (band 7) and I'm very happy, although stressed as we all are in health care.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 21/06/2023 19:59

Me too, as an allied health professional. Us brainy ones become managers.

ValerieDoonican · 21/06/2023 20:01

It's a bit like being a firefighter isn't it? (Only probably a lot more so) People know you have to be resilient, courageous, resourceful etc - they don't always get there s a lot of science involved in doing the job and saving lives, as well

MavisMcMinty · 21/06/2023 20:07

Nursing is a great career, so many opportunities, and a passport around the world. Plenty of promotion opportunities and good terms of employment. And one of the best pension schemes in the UK! The training can be dire, here in the south-west of England student nurses can be sent to placements anywhere between Bournemouth and Truro, there’s a high rate of attrition.

BelleMarionette · 21/06/2023 20:09

Have you thought about undergraduate medicine? It's less competitive than graduate entry, and lots of graduates too. I studied as an undergraduate and about 1/10 were graduates on the course.

cptartapp · 21/06/2023 20:09

I have four A levels and a first class honours degree and have been nursing for 33 years.
I didn't work my way up as didn't want the stress, am band 6, but my qualifications only ever seemed to open doors.
That said, I wouldn't do nursing again anyway. Maybe Occupational Health.

Peanutlatte · 21/06/2023 20:12

Maztek · 21/06/2023 19:52

People will always be rude to you when you’re a nurse. I’m a mental health nurse and am leaving the career now. Grow a thick skin! The degree is hard work.

which is your new career?

HVPRN · 21/06/2023 20:14

How come you want to be a paediatric nurse? Do you not want to be a doctor then?

NameChangeSorryNotSorry · 21/06/2023 20:15

People are so rude. My parents are doctors and would get asked all the time if they were disappointed that in ‘just a nurse’. My mum was very proud of me and would give them an earful.
I love being a nurse and in my early thirties earn just under 50K. I’ve had loads of opportunities and progressed my career and I love it.
go for it!

user1499291455 · 21/06/2023 20:16

I'm a nurse and it's not an easy job to do but the preconceived idea that you will be a handmaid to a Dr will always be there for some people. I'm now a specialist nurse and my experience and knowledge is definitely valued by others.

TheFairyCaravan · 21/06/2023 20:19

DS2 is a nurse. He has A*AB at A level. When he was at school they tried to get up to encourage him into medicine but he really didn’t want to. He got a very good first class degree, and really enjoys his job.

He’s 26 now and has been a Band 6 for about 2.5yrs. He does course after course and has just been given funding, by the trust, to do his masters in advanced practice starting in January.

Follow your heart, and you won’t go wrong.

NutellaEllaElla · 21/06/2023 20:23

YANBU of course but I wonder if people who say that to you are thinking, actually you can have fairly poor working conditions as a nurse (including but not limited to pay and i'm not sure the work life balance is that much better) and if you can be a Dr, with the commensurate higher pay and other benefits, then why wouldn't you.

Shinyfoil · 21/06/2023 20:23

user1499291455 · 21/06/2023 20:16

I think we saw that attitude during the pandemic, well I did anyway. I’m not a nurse and I don’t know any, so what I’ve seen/heard is from social media and people I know (again, they’re not nurses). A lot of people seem to think you go to uni or something for a year or two and become a nurse and if you’re clever enough you stay on for another 5 years or so and become a doctor. So they are assuming nursing is kind of the foundation years and then you learn more to become a doctor and so a nurse is like a doctors assistant/apprentice/cleaner etc. I couldn’t say they’re definitely wrong because I’ve never studied to be a nurse or a doctor but if I had to bet money on how it works, it wouldn’t be that. So yes, a doctors hand maid is how a lot of people see nurses I think.

WickedWitchoftheDesk · 21/06/2023 20:23

Interesting to see this thread pop up. I was processing a clinical letter today, written by a cardiology nurse specialist today and was in absolute awe at all the in depth knowledge they appeared to possess.
Nursing opens so many doors and variety of opportunities both here and abroad. Go for it!

Throughalookingglass · 21/06/2023 20:25

I think its a pecking order.

Doctors.
Nurses.
Healthcare assistants.

Everyone of the above plays an important role. I think its natural for people to view the decision making as being better.

Its similar to being a psychologist v a psychiatrist People give more value to those who can prescribe medication.

Butchyrestingface · 21/06/2023 20:28

a few have said that I'm 'too clever' to be a nurse

Can they articulate WHY they thought that? Do they think nursing is all about changing the sheets and emptying bedpans?

I think nursing and medicine both sound pretty stressful, although the latter tends to be more well remunerated. Then again, what job isn't these days?

MavisMcMinty · 21/06/2023 20:28

Nurses can prescribe. Nurses do a lot of the things that only doctors used to do. Many studies have shown patient satisfaction is higher with nurse clinic appointments than doctors’ clinics.

Orangebadger · 21/06/2023 20:30

I'm a nurse, I heard this a lot too. Comments such as why did you bother doing A'levels just to be a nurse 🙄 or a 4 year degree just to wipe a bum, you're too clever to be a nurse... I heard it all and it really upset me a lot. Not about their opinions of me, but their opinions of nursing. Some people have many assumptions about nurses and they are so far removed from the reality of nursing!

24 years of nursing and I have had a hugely rewarding and very diverse career in which I have used my brain in abundance! I have gained post grad qualifications which have furthered my career. I totally agree with your reasons for not doing medicine. Nursing does allow for a better work/ life balance and I also think a wider range of opportunities than medicine does. Good luck!

Lollygaggle · 21/06/2023 20:32

Have you thought about physician associate/assistant ? Your first degree would give entry to this.
Most people who've gone into medicine find it incredibly stressful ,all consuming and difficult to reconcile with a personal life .
Physician associates have the patient contact , ability to be responsible for patient care but without the pressures of medicine or the work/life unbalance of nursing/medicine.

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