During clinical rotations , I witnessed the flexibility and variability that a nurse can take , as I have met nurses working in all specialties across the lifespan . The diversity of my nursing cohort introduced me to people of various backgrounds , all of whom were driven to the profession to care for others — and none , thankfully , asked me if I was pressured into nursing . patients and share small moments of joy during their day . I have listened to the lived experiences of cancer survivors , people recovering from addiction , and those that have lost loved ones to disease . I continue to find new meaning in nursing and what it means to care for others . My aspiration is to take on more advanced roles in nursing someday .
However , my time learning about the nursing field also included becoming acquainted with its pervasive stereotypes . The common image of nursing as a “ woman ’ s job ” created challenges for my men-identifying and nonbinary classmates , as many would share concerns about patients refusing their care , or initially feel pressured to change the pitch in their voice to sound more masculine or more feminine . Despite the rigorous courses , intensive preparation for clinical rotations , and frequent skills checkoffs , I felt that my nursing education was sometimes undermined and disregarded by others , especially when I learned that some people were not aware that we work with real patients in clinical . It is often because of the stereotype that a nurse is a “ doctor ’ s helper ” or one who was not smart enough or to become a physician , that nursing is perceived as a profession without a defined skill set ( Lampert , 2017 ).
Over time , I grew to understand the multifaceted roles of nurses — an educator , researcher , leader , example — and my former apprehension about the profession was replaced with passion and interest . I have been able to make meaningful connections with
“ As my own confidence as a nursing student grew , so did my ability to convey that nurses are trusted members of the healthcare team because of their own ability to make safe clinical judgments . The assumption that I was forced or “ settled ” into nursing diminished over time , especially as I genuinely conveyed my drive and my “ why ” to others .”
In hindsight , it is perplexing to think that what almost held me back from entering this profession was due to the idea of being seen as a stereotype . I can ’ t help but wonder — who else has felt the same ? What other future nurses are missing because of the stereotypes our society sets ?
Addressing Misconceptions and Learning in the Process In my own small way , I have worked to combat these stereotypes throughout the years . When given the opportunity , I would openly share the unique challenges of nursing school and debunk the misconceptions rooted in these stereotypes .
This is best exemplified by my experience as a campus tour guide when I would share my experience as a nursing student to prospective students and families . I would often be asked if I had to go to nursing school after obtaining my BSN , with visitors likely confusing it with the educational pathway of someone seeking to become a physician . A significant number of people I met while leading college tours were unaware that I needed to take a licensure
34 NSNA IMPRINT • SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 • www . nsna . org