Warning: Probably belongs in a private journal, read at own risk.

^{As a personal comment, up until being an RN for a few years I had been underwhelmed and unimpressed by everything I did. My first job out of high school was very basic, I was embarrassed to talk about it or tell people what I did.}

^{I improved myself, my position, my education. My new career, although something I previously had held in such high regard, seemed small, stupid, and insignificant now that I was it--even though I had earned it and was a top performer both in classes and workplace. I had the same sentiment about telling others what I did as with the first job(s). Again I wanted to improve and expand.}

^{Previously I had respected and looked up to the RN knowledge and career. Enrolled in Nursing School, however, I still felt embarrassed. Top performing student in all blocks, practically never had to study, hired immediately out of school in a "tough job market" that "only hires BSN" with my ASN. Same feelings. I had coveted working as a nurse, and I loved/love my job, but I still was reluctant to speak of it to anyone. Earned my BSN. It felt like I still had done nothing.}

^{It hit me one day while thinking about moving on--the issue was internal, not external. I realized that no matter what I did I would never feel like I was doing enough, that my self loathing attitude towards achievement was not helpful past a certain point, and I needed to stop looking upon things that many people would deem impressive as failures simply because I was self evaluating. I am especially embarrassed when people compliment me. The better or more meaningful the compliment, somehow the worse it is. Finally, saying anything good about myself to someone else is painful. Even this post is oddly difficult to construct as I am sure parts of it could be construed by someone as a 'humble brag'. I feel as if I must have proof, right there and in endless supply.}

TL;DR (honestly, don't read it)

What you are is a small fraction. Nurse, HCP, UAP, Cleaners. It's how you do it. Your attitude, willingness to improve, willingness to seek out that improvement on your own and push yourself. No one who who has those things is 'just' anything.

Jesus christ I got so off topic ...

Uhh, I don't think the phrase should be banned. It's a nice gesture but people need to be treated like adults. The ban plus the uplifting message appears, well, condescending. I'd like to believe most people who do use that phrase are either using it as a disclaimer and/or understand nurses do a lot. Those who think they are worthless as a RN have deeper issues that won't be resolved by an automated response, like I did--or so I think I did/do.