I believe nurses are just as important as doctors. Without one the other don't really work as well. A hospital is a team environment and many members are involved in treating a patient. We all have our own responsibilities/job.
In terms of personal experience of nurses treating medical students poorly - I haven't experienced it yet....maybe I'm lucky, but all the nurses I have met are really friendly and helpful. I just try to be humble and I do accept the fact that I am probably the least important thing in the hospital. Nurses have a job to do and that is to take care of the patient...not medical students and I do respect the fact that they will ignore you and give you absolutely no attention whatsoever. I find it quite obvious when a nurse doesn't like students...as I believe they do avoid the students. I only approach nurses who have said "hi" to me when I get onto the ward. I avoid speaking to the nurses who have ignored me. Actually I avoid speaking to nurses in general unless I have a quick question.