First of all, I am a new nurse but an old caregiver. And yes, I am an asshole. But I try not to be an asshole to my patients or my colleagues. I have met a lot of nurses, however, who think that it is somehow their divine right to act like major cunts by virtue of being a nurse. Something about the profession either a) attracts bitter, self-righteous people or b) turns people bitter and self-righteous. Here is a little anecdote to illustrate what I mean.
At the beginning of the year, as a nursing student, I was conscripted into working at the health fair. I didn't have a coat with me, so when they were looking for volunteers to go out and direct traffic, I did not volunteer to do so. I was later called aside by one of the instructors of the program and lectured about my "uncooperative attitude." I became very incensed. I told her that I had done EVERYTHING that she had told me to do, including pissing people off at me by going down the line and asking if they had their receipt of payment, which made me very uncomfortable. She said that she had been told that I "refused" to go out and direct traffic. I said that no-one asked me directly, and if they had I would have politely declined because I DON'T HAVE A COAT WITH ME! I was so furious that I was almost unable to perform any other duties for awhile. I resolved never to volunteer at the health fair again.
