JUST a nurse and proud of that!!

This is the first time I broke down since working in TTSH last year.

I know at the back of my mind she doesn't mean it.

"Why you don't want to be a doctor?" "Why you go and be a nurse?"

"Talk so much for what you are not a doctor."

"Your grades are so bad.. that's why cannot become doctor become nurse."

"And as a nurse you go round cleaning people buttocks and serving bedpans."

It has been such a long long time since I heard such remarks.

I heard alot of these 10 years back, mostly from taxi-drivers..

Do I need to retort back? I didn't this morning.

Do I need to declare my commitment to her care as her nurse?

I gave my nursing pledge to serve all with just due care, and advocate for all.

Do I need to do that?

I'm angry ... yes cos after all I'm only human.

When her doctor thinks that it's no use giving her too much treatment cos she will not comply.

I advocated for her despite all.... cos I'm her nurse.

But today, I need to thank her cos I've forgotten... no matter how much credentials I had... having a Masters degree, doing advanced role... I'm still and "just" a nurse.

I know.... and as I cried these angry tears...

I want to tell her that ... "you know what I'm proud to be a nurse and I'm happy about that... so stop being Jealous!!!!"