Can I vent for a minute, please? Of course I can... it's my blog. I realize that sexism (or should I say gender stereotyping) exists, less extreme than it used to be, but definitely still present. My personal experiences were few prior to starting med school, but since being in medicine have increased exponentially. It drives me BONKERS every time it happens. So ladies, especially those of you that are in medicine, I'm sure you can relate. Here is how it usually goes...
Other person: "Oh you're graduating, what were you studying?? (or previously: oh you're in school... blah blah blah)"
Me: "I am finishing up medical school."
Other person: "Oh that's so great! Are you going to be a nurse? We need more great nurses!"
Me: "No, I'm going to be a doctor. Nurses go to nursing school. Doctors go to medical school."
OR:
Me: (wearing scrubs)
Other person: taps me on the shoulder, "Excuse me, NURSE"
OR:
Me: (wearing scrubs)
Attending or Resident: rambles off some orders
Me: staring blankly
Attending or Resident: "aren't you that patient's nurse?"
Me: (staring blankly) "Um, no. I'm a med student."
SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHY EVERYONE ASSUMES THAT A FEMALE IN SCRUBS IS A NURSE?! THAT NEVER HAPPENS TO THE MALES...I'VE ASKED. It even happens ALL THE TIME in the non-medical community (see first scenario).
JUST BECAUSE I'M A GIRL DOESN'T MEAN I'M A NURSE!!! Come on now!
...And all smart people said Amen.
ReplyDelete(happens to me all the time, too, btw, and it's infuriating!)