Nurses often encounter certain opinions or common propaganda that do not align with reality, don't they?
These toxic narratives are a danger to nurse wellbeing. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common ones and talk about why they deserve pushback.
“You need a BSN to succeed”
Most of you had heard that before, right? Usually accompanied by comments indicating that if you don’t get your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you’re less of a nurse, less likely to get a good job, etc.
This pressure to get a BSN completely ignores the fact that nursing schools are often turning away qualified applicants because of space issues, and a BSN typically requires 4 years of college (meaning 4 years of student loans).
A BSN is not always a practical choice for an aspiring nurse. An Associate Degree in Nursing is a shorter program (which means usually 2 years of student loans). ADN graduates also have to sit for, and pass, the same licensing exam as the BSN graduates.
Yes, hospitals sometimes prefer to hire BSN nurses over ADN nurses for entry-level into certain specialties.
But for a young adult with goals and aspirations who wants to get to work? An ADN program might be the right choice.
And no one says you have to stay an ADN forever. Bridge programs are practical for working nurses who want to maintain an income while advancing their education. Even in the state of New York, where registered nurses are required to have a BSN, the law gives them 10 years from their original licensure to obtain it.
Bottom line, aspiring nurses should do their research and pick the program path that best suits their circumstances. Making a blanket statement that a BSN is the only path to success is dismissive.
Related: Associate’s Degree vs. Bachelor’s in Nursing
Nurses “eat” their young
Have you heard this one casually said in the breakroom?
This attitude is harmful because it seemingly accepts and even invites disrespectful behavior. Turnover and burnout are predictable outcomes in these circumstances. There is a toxic culture of “getting respect on the floor first,” which often corresponds to rudeness, pranks, or other forms of labor abuse.
In every healthcare facility environment, respect is essential to build a workable ecosystem where clinicians are supported while they learn and grow into their skills.
Especially when thinking about new graduates or new hires, facility veterans can help by lending a hand and providing necessary onboarding support. It reflects a high quality of care for the patients and confidence in new grads.
“That’s just their personality”
Very often, nurses find themselves expected to tolerate coworker behavior that is dismissive, aggressive, or uncooperative, under the excuse that it is simply a personality trait.
However, in an environment where patient health hangs in the balance, toxic behavior is not a quirk; it’s a clinical risk.
When we excuse lateral violence as "personality," we break down the collaboration and communication essential for patient safety. As we move through 2026, it is time to stop normalizing toxicity.
Recognizing red flags early is not just about your own peace of mind; it’s about maintaining high standards of care that protect both the staff and the patients.
“Nursing is a calling, not a job”
Listening to the idea that nursing is a calling evokes a beautiful sentiment, and for some nurses, it is indeed the truth. Professionals show up because they care and aim to be the person holding the patient’s hand in a dark moment.
But here is the part people often overlook: A calling should not be a reason to accept less than you are worth. Calling or not, it’s still a job.
Too often, the term “calling” is weaponized to make clinicians feel guilty for asking for what they actually need.
When the system frames the nursing role as a moral obligation, it creates a misguided culture that nurses are expected to work "no matter what," even when the ratios are dangerous, the equipment is missing, or they are not paid adequately.
Ironically, healthcare professionals are often told they are heroes, even though this term is frequently used to refer to someone who fights to ensure others have their rights respected.
In 2026, we must be honest: propaganda that does not respect one's worth needs to be addressed.
If nurses do not stand up for their rights and demand to be respected and valued, the beautiful idea of "calling" that brought you here will eventually burn you out. Loving what you do does not mean you have to set yourself on fire to keep others warm.
“We are like family here”
This phrase is something that many professionals still fall for.
The truth is: Family is family, and coworkers are coworkers.
When those lines get blurred, it becomes much harder to say "no." Toxic coworkers like the family narrative because it provides a shield.
If you are family, they expect you to tolerate their disrespect, overlook their laziness, or stay silent about their behavior because "that is just how we treat each other."
It is used as a weapon to influence you into picking up that extra shift or working in unsafe conditions because you do not want to "let the family down." Stay aware of that.
Start 2026 off right
To start 2026 on the right foot, it is time to show up for one another at work.
Make an effort this year to be a nurse who honors when others need support, stands by their boundaries, yet still expects solid effort from each person. Caring about colleagues does not require ignoring problems because feelings are mixed.
Nurses deserve workplaces built on respect, not guilt or toxic narratives.
Healthy boundaries start with safer communication. Learn de-escalation techniques that help nurses navigate conflict without normalizing harm.
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