--- title: 23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses description: We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us what the most common misconceptions about nurses are. They had a lot to say. image: http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/8/enhanced/webdr09/enhanced-25739-1423749126-9.jpg --- ![](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/8/enhanced/webdr09/enhanced-25739-1423749126-9.jpg) ### 23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses *Posted By* Erica Bettencourt Fri, Feb 13, 2015 @ 12:11 PM - - - Alana Massey   ## We asked the BuzzFeed Community to [tell us what the most common misconceptions about nurses are](http://www.diversitynursing.com/forum/showthread.php?881-Misconceptions-about-nurses). They had a lot to say. ![We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us what the most common misconceptions about nurses are. They had a lot to say.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/8/enhanced/webdr09/enhanced-25739-1423749126-9.jpg) Getty Images/iStockphoto ## 1. First of all, “Why didn’t you just become a doctor? You’re too smart to be a nurse” is a rude thing to say. ![23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/8/imagebuzz/webdr12/anigif_optimized-6961-1423749463-3.gif) Wall Street Journal Live Submitted by [SadiaK](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=9029445). ## 2. And no, people can’t just *apply* for nursing licenses before being educated and rigorously trained. ![23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/imagebuzz/webdr01/anigif_optimized-21716-1423749615-31.gif) 20th Century Fox Submitted by [jennah4377addc7](http://www.buzzfeed.com/jennah4377addc7). ## 3. Because nursing is not about wiping butts all day. ![Because nursing is not about wiping butts all day.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/enhanced/webdr05/enhanced-9878-1423749775-31.jpg) Shironosov / Getty Images/iStockphoto Submitted by [MariliseB](https://www.facebook.com/MariliseB) ## 4. And nurses are not just there for their ability to “nurture” and “mother” patients; they’re there to use science and critical thinking to save lives. ![23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/imagebuzz/webdr06/anigif_optimized-5400-1423749888-23.gif) PBS Submitted by [hellokitty914](http://www.buzzfeed.com/hcope) and [edwyer94](http://www.buzzfeed.com/edwyer94). ## 5. Which is why it’s annoying when people think you’re always just following a doctor’s orders. ![Which is why it's annoying when people think you're always just following a doctor's orders.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/enhanced/webdr12/enhanced-8647-1423749956-12.jpg) Getty Images/iStockphoto Dana Bartekoske Submitted by [oneloveyogi](http://www.buzzfeed.com/oneloveyogi). ## 6. But you’d never know that from TV and movies, which almost never portray nurses accurately. ![But you'd never know that from TV and movies, which almost never portray nurses accurately.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/enhanced/webdr05/enhanced-9895-1423749999-33.jpg) NBC / Getty Images Submitted by [angry penguin](http://www.buzzfeed.com/angrypenguin). ## 7. The reality is that doctors rely heavily on the knowledge and observations of nurses to make decisions about patient care. ![23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/imagebuzz/webdr04/anigif_optimized-28772-1423750513-46.gif) NBC Submitted by [lexia49c9c42e3](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lexia49c9c42e3). ## 8. And it is often the nurses who make life and death decisions. ![23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/imagebuzz/webdr10/anigif_optimized-18167-1423752283-14.gif) Via [domice.deviantart.com](http://domice.deviantart.com/art/Heartbeat-286964035) Submitted by [andreae41060b2b6](http://www.buzzfeed.com/andreae41060b2b6). ## 9. Nurses are actually more like a doctor-social worker-respiratory therapist-pharmacist-phlebotomist-physiotherapist-receptionist-X-ray technician-transporter-housekeeper-caregiver hybrid. ![Nurses are actually more like a doctor-social worker-respiratory therapist-pharmacist-phlebotomist-physiotherapist-receptionist-X-ray technician-transporter-housekeeper-caregiver hybrid.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/enhanced/webdr12/edit-8067-1423752737-15.jpg) ThinkStock Submitted by [oneloveyogi](http://www.buzzfeed.com/oneloveyogi). ## 10. Which is probably why they’re not actually wearing sexy nurse outfits over lingerie with stilettos on their feet. ![Which is probably why they're not actually wearing sexy nurse outfits over lingerie with stilettos on their feet.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/enhanced/webdr10/edit-18167-1423752915-21.jpg) [s3.amazonaws.com](http://s3.amazonaws.com/feather-files-aviary-prod-us-east-1/lyeelcqg9nt75q6f/2015-02-12/b54d0f47db234da0b5bc92a0eccd027d.jpg) Submitted by [sandrafromparis](http://www.buzzfeed.com/sandrafromparis). ## 11. That might also be because a huge number of nurses are men. ![That might also be because a huge number of nurses are men.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/8/enhanced/webdr12/edit-7942-1423748731-7.jpg) [s3.amazonaws.com](http://s3.amazonaws.com/feather-files-aviary-prod-us-east-1/lyeelcqg9nt75q6f/2015-02-12/0b32c0fbe4584556a31557068c71ebd7.jpg) Submitted by [preciouskittenn](https://www.facebook.com/preciouskittenn). ## 12. Who, by the way, are not all gay. ![23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/8/imagebuzz/webdr12/anigif_optimized-8315-1423748482-1.gif) ABC Submitted by [richardd31](http://www.buzzfeed.com/richardd31). ## So now that all that’s cleared up, there are a few more things that nurses don’t want or need to hear. ## 13. When nurses are “just taking blood pressure” they are simultaneously assessing a dozen things about a patient’s condition. ![23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/enhanced/webdr04/anigif_enhanced-28730-1423750337-39.gif) BBC / Via [bbcsherlockgifs.tumblr.com](http://bbcsherlockgifs.tumblr.com/post/9629839630/jackmyswagnoir-livinglavidakees) Submitted by [shannooney](http://www.buzzfeed.com/shannooney). ## 14. It doesn’t help anyone to say that all nurses do is put on Band-Aids when they’re actually catching potentially fatal mistakes made by doctors who don’t know the patient as well. ![It doesn't help anyone to say that all nurses do is put on Band-Aids when they're actually catching potentially fatal mistakes made by doctors who don't know the patient as well.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/enhanced/webdr11/enhanced-23236-1423750098-5.jpg) Fox Submitted by [betty.swiecka.](https://www.facebook.com/betty.swiecka) ## 15. And when people assume a home health care nurse is there to give sponge baths and clean the house, it makes it harder for them to provide care. ![And when people assume a home health care nurse is there to give sponge baths and clean the house, it makes it harder for them to provide care.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/10/enhanced/webdr06/edit-5137-1423753227-13.jpg) ThinkStock Submitted by [kimberly.riggs.18](https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.riggs.18). ## 16. Saying nurses are *so lucky* to work three days a week ignores how much recovery time and rest is needed after long shifts and demanding work. ![23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/imagebuzz/webdr03/anigif_optimized-4364-1423751542-23.gif) 1492 Pictures Submitted by [lydia.maria.94](https://www.facebook.com/lydia.maria.94). ## 17. Patients with the “I write your check” mentality that feel justified using nurses as servants make it harder for nurses to do their jobs. ![23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/imagebuzz/webdr08/anigif_optimized-13893-1423751648-22.gif) Columbia Records / Via [tumblr.com](https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/song:-bills-bills-bills) Submitted by [kelly.hilker](https://www.facebook.com/kelly.hilker). ## 18. That job is not being a personal drug dealer who is totally OK with going to jail just so a patient can get some OxyContin. ![23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/imagebuzz/webdr07/anigif_optimized-935-1423751004-22.gif) United Artists Submitted by [nic0lie0lie](https://www.facebook.com/nic0lie0lie) and [cheries4218b4a82](http://www.buzzfeed.com/cheries4218b4a82). ## 19. So if you come in and say you’re allergic to every drug except Dilaudid and that you needs *lots and lots*of Dilaudid, the nurse is onto you, buddy. ![So if you come in and say you're allergic to every drug except Dilaudid and that you needs lots and lots of Dilaudid, the nurse is onto you, buddy.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/enhanced/webdr01/enhanced-21690-1423751767-5.jpg) Warner Bros. Submitted by [cheries4218b4a82](http://www.buzzfeed.com/cheries4218b4a82). ## 20. And when a nurse clearly knows the answer to your question and you say, “Can you ask the doctor?” you’re undermining their expertise and their profession. ![23 Things People Always Get Completely Wrong About Nurses](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/10/imagebuzz/webdr02/anigif_optimized-16911-1423753479-10.gif) United Artists Submitted by [lalroma](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lalroma). ## 21. But the great thing about nurses is that they don’t *actually* care all that much about all these misconceptions. ![But the great thing about nurses is that they don't actually care all that much about all these misconceptions.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/9/enhanced/webdr05/edit-3664-1423751841-3.jpg) ThinkStock Submitted by [jonathanr49e5c50fe](http://www.buzzfeed.com/jonathanr49e5c50fe). ## 22. Because the thing they care more about than anything is saving your life. ![Because the thing they care more about than anything is saving your life.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/12/10/enhanced/webdr07/edit-26018-1423753618-9.jpg) ThinkStock Submitted by [jonathanr49e5c50fe](http://www.buzzfeed.com/jonathanr49e5c50fe). ## 23. But for those of us who are annoyed on their behalves, we are just going to leave this here. ![But for those of us who are annoyed on their behalves, we are just going to leave this here.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/11/15/enhanced/webdr08/enhanced-31353-1423685220-40.png) BuzzFeed Submitted by [ashleym45a8b720b](http://www.buzzfeed.com/ashleym45a8b720b). Source: [www.buzzfeed.com](http://www.buzzfeed.com/alanamassey/nurse-misconceptions?bffb&utm_term=4ldqpgx#.ng6Y65d3e) Topics : - [nursing](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/nursing) - [health](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/health) - [nurse](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/nurse) - [nurses](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/nurses) - [doctors](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/doctors) - [medical](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/medical) - [patients](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/patients) - [physicians](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/physicians) - [hospitals](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/hospitals) ### Recent Posts [![](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/GettyImages-1428257600.jpg) ##### Advancing Mental Health Equity for Every Community Thu, Jul 02, 2026 @ 09:34 AM Every July, the United States observes National Minority Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the unique mental health challenges experienced by racial and ethnic minority... 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