Why can't my FIL accept I don't and never wanted to be a Dr!!!

[Kellamity]

I am going back to work in Sept or at least I have been accepted on a Return to Nursing Practice course to get my PIN back. As you do we have chatted about it with the family and I happened to mention that I had considered going to Uni to train as something else but when it came down to it I wanted to be a nurse to Return to Practice is the way ahead for me.

FIL asked me then, as he has done many times since I met DH, why not do your medical training, why not be a Dr, why not better yourself etc etc - and I've told him time and time again I don't want to be a Dr I want to be a nurse!

Sorry there's no point to this thread apart from a rant! Aaaaarrrggghhhh!

Probably in his mind doctors get more power, money and respect and he can't understand why you wouldn't want that. Maybe you need to explain to him what you see the benefits of being a nurse over being a doctor as he can't see them for himself.

I feel your pain!

I work as a physio and have lost count of the number of times my FIL has suggested I could do better and retain as a Dr.

When I trained, the entry requirement were the same for physio as they were for medicine. I didn't want to be a Dr, I wanted to be a physio (and am very happy being a physio!)

Recently he's changed tack and suggested I should get myself into sports physio, "where there's more money!". He just deosn't see that I'm happy working in medical rehab on the wards!

so being a Dr is better than being a nurse then?? hmm, that's nice to know there is a hierarchy!!
Good luck with your course, am sure you will be a great nurse again!

yep, I get that too. The job of a Dr doesn't appeal to me, where as I love nursing.

You could always get your pin then apply to do a prof doc in an aspect of nursing - you could be a Dr working as a nurse then, or would that make your FIL head explode?

I hate this attitude. I'm really proud of being a nurse but a lot of people don't really understand what nurses do, or they think we're stupid.

We do have to make decisions and often have to have a LOT of knowledge and expertise. I like that in my job I need lots of knowledge and skills and technical know-how (got loads still to learn) but all in all the best part is often the "proper" "basic" nursing - washing, mouthcare, dressings, spending time talking to patients and making a difference to them and their families in a difficult time.

I'm sure you've probably tried and perhaps he'll never understand, but maybe you can get him to understand a little bit why nursing is not a "lesser" job.

Good luck with RtP course - how long have you been out of nursing, OP? I only ask because I gave up my PIN in 2008 and will look to return in a few years' time (when both of mine are in school full time).

Your FIL is ignorant to the profession (nursing, that is). Many do not appreciate what goes on in your role as a nurse. I miss it :(

thanks for your cheery comments! We're going to see them this weekend and it's bound to come up

I have been out since 2002 lovechoc, I'm really quite excited about the whole thing

2003 I mean!

maybe he's got a rash he wants you to look at :)

I enquired at the beginning of this year about the cost (£1k) for RtP course but sadly only certain universities will run the course on whether or not there's enough demand in the area for it. I will enquire about it again nearer the time to see..

Your FIL is not the only one though that doesn't have a clue. So many people are ill informed about the job, it's unreal. Not everyone is interested in working in Medicine, and if he doesn't accept this then change the subject to something 'neutral'. Don't let him see that his comments are affecting you. You're happy in your career path and let him know it

Yes you're right, that's exactly what I'll do, be positive about my choices and move the conversation on to something else. Where are you in the country? I'll be studying at Oxford Brookes, they seem to run the course quite regularly and despite offering to fund myself I have been offered a funded place.

Kellamity hope it all goes smoothly for you, am sure once you're back into it you'll love it even more second time round :) May have a look into funded places nearer the time (am aiming for 2015/6). Am in Scotland.

But everyone knows it's the nurses who are in charge. I thought they generally just tolerated the doctors.

Get a hamfisted doc to give him a catheter. Then he may appreciate nurses a little more...

Billy