[rnmi2004]

I can understand the opinions posted here & what the article's author was saying, and I agree with them for the most part. However, I'm not going to get upset or offended when I've been taking care of a patient who tells me I'm an angel. That is how they want to express their feelings to me.

I'm not sure how nurses can go about addressing this issue. How many patients read AJN? We're not going to give patients a pamphlet--"How to appropriately express gratitude to your nurse." I suppose if it really bothered a nurse, he/she could pleasantly say, "Well thank you--but I'm not an angel, just someone who cares about you."

No, I don't want to be thought of as an "angel." But there are other issues related to nursing stereotypes that irk me even more. In my limited experience, it is the elderly that use the term. Perhaps younger generations don't view us that way, & with time this issue will be a moot point?

[NeuroICURN]

I agree that it is mostly older people who see us as "angels" and yes, I also don't have a problem if that is how they want to express their gratitude. I just humbly accept the compliment and go on with my day. I wouldn't offend someone by saying "oh, don't call me an angel". You're probably right that it won't be much of a problem in a few years.

However, my problem is with the nurses who think that nursing is a calling and that get all wrapped up in their patients and worry about it after they go home. I just want to say to them "get a frieking life"!!!!

Even some of the posts here irk me for that reason. Some people post "oh, I am so worried about this pt. I had because...blah, blah, blah" I can't speak for any of you, but when I'm at my work, I do it to the best of my ability, with skill and with knowledge....but once I'm done, I'm done. I give report and I don't hang out any longer than I absolutely have to. I have a husband and a kid that I'd much rather see!

P.S. Anyone have a copy of the article? I don't get AJN...but I'd love to read it to have more to reference to.

[ADS RN]

I agree with sharann and rnmi2004 that it is probably a thing with the older generation and I accept it as a compliment as it was meant. I work with the elderly so it's a good idea not to get upset because I'm going to hear it and "you're a doll". I think it's just they way they can express themselves ( a lot of them have difficulty with word funding anyway). I'm sure they're not meaning the God/angel, a lot would be mortified if they knew that was the way it was interpreted. I suppose you could write an editorial to your local newspaper and maybe some of your targeted people might read it whrere they wouldn't read AJN. you're right there are some immages of nursing that aren't correct but we survive in spite of them, and can continue to prepetuate the reality by continuing to do our best at our jobs. Yes some will notice and some will not but they probably won't change their thinking anyway. Remember they are where you are because of some defecit whether physical or mental or they wouldn't need us, so they may be in pain etc. and not in the best thinking mode either.

[luvin it]

Originally Posted by Trauma-tizedRN

Did ya catch the article in July AJN called "I'm No Angel" written by Margaret C. Belchers MSN, RN, CCRN ? Alot of follow-up opinions in this October issue as well. If you read it....what's your opinion?
She sure gets bashed for the article in follow-ups. I agree with her totally. I smile and cringe when I get called an angel. Sorry folks. I'd take solid, reality-based praise like "You are so competent" or "You are so smart" or "I trust my family member in your hands because you are so knowledgeable" over being an "angel" any day of the week. It is such an outdated notion. So Florence Nightengale-ish. We've come along way baby. It takes away from what we really are doing as nurses and what we are capable of, and how much responsibility we carry. Nice yes, caring yes, compassionate yes....but here on earth as a fellow HUMAN BEINGS....not magical angels. YUCK. EEK. SAPPY. This to me is not bad to feel this way. It is not a gruff, old, burnt-out nurse attitude. To me it is enriching thought and a foundation for a more pleasing and rewarding career platform for the future. We all need to work towards eliminating the Doctor=God and Nurse=Angel mentality built in to this profession. It is a dysfunctional illness that only serves to make us loosen our grasp on reality and to minimize our true worth. It makes for poor doc/nurse relationships. Our patients see us as pillow-fluffing angels of the past...as if the docs are in the hall 24/7 handling every ticking moment. And we, as nurses are OK with that? Feel good and valued about that? Public education....long overdue. But to get the right message out, we have to LIVE the part. EDUCATED NURSE. NOT ANGEL. I am a good nurse and that is what is necessary to do a good job. (Besides, wings and halos tend to get all tangled up in privacy curtains) Tell me i'm thoughtful, sweet, caring...just don't put me on the Angel pedestal.
Thanks for this hour of your life. I will step off of my soapbox now.
Nurses Rock!

I loved what you had to say. MY soapbox began the day in nursing school that my instructor informed all of us that we became nurse because WE care about helping other people and continued with you know that we are not here for the "money". First of all does that mean that airline pilots making 6 figures DON'T care about other people because they make money. Or that people who are underpaid more worthy of helping. THAT all makes me need some phenergan.

[RN4NICU]

Originally Posted by NeuroICURN

P.S. Anyone have a copy of the article? I don't get AJN...but I'd love to read it to have more to reference to.

Here's a link to the article

http://www.nursingcenter.com/library...icle_ID=514333

[NeuroICURN]

Originally Posted by RN4NICU

Here's a link to the article

http://www.nursingcenter.com/library...icle_ID=514333

Thanks!!!

I have to ask...where did you get your avatar? I LOVE it!!!!

[RN4NICU]

Originally Posted by NeuroICURN

Thanks!!!

I have to ask...where did you get your avatar? I LOVE it!!!!

avatarmagic.com

[luvin it]

sharann--naughty nurse thing???? HUH??? are u for or against

[Trauma-tizedRN]

Originally Posted by rnmi2004

I can understand the opinions posted here & what the article's author was saying, and I agree with them for the most part. However, I'm not going to get upset or offended when I've been taking care of a patient who tells me I'm an angel. That is how they want to express their feelings to me.

I'm not sure how nurses can go about addressing this issue. How many patients read AJN? We're not going to give patients a pamphlet--"How to appropriately express gratitude to your nurse." I suppose if it really bothered a nurse, he/she could pleasantly say, "Well thank you--but I'm not an angel, just someone who cares about you."

No, I don't want to be thought of as an "angel." But there are other issues related to nursing stereotypes that irk me even more. In my limited experience, it is the elderly that use the term. Perhaps younger generations don't view us that way, & with time this issue will be a moot point?

I would never attempt to correct the issue on a patient to patient basis persay. "Angel" really rubs my philosophy the wrong way...but i'd never verbalize that to a patient. Like I said, smile and cringe. The problem is much larger than that. Effective public education is where it's at. I don't think it's going to die out with the old folks....seems to live on pretty well through the ages. I hear young people saying "I could never be a nurse or do what you do, it's a calling" B.S. The myth is alive and well.

[TriageRN_34]

LOL..well with Halloween tomorrow! Actually we were told please do not wear Angel costumes or Grim reaper, or devil costumes because it may illicit fear or remind folks of death. LOL! Darn, there goes my grim reaper idea! LOL!

Yeah, I tell people all the time..."no dear, not Angel...____(my real name)", with a huge smile and a wink! I try to get away from stereotypes of being somewhat above being human...because if that was the case I would choose superman with powers to set back time and get everything done when a patient wants it all done! LOL!

Nope, I will settle with being human in their eyes, mistakes, being tied to real time, and capable of having real emotions that I can show if I wish to! A person that can be sad when someone suffers, mad when I am getting stepped on, and joyful to the max when something goes well! I person that will sweat when I am running around like crazy, a person that can get the occastional 'brain fart' when multitasking on a tired mind, a person that can get lunch breaks and not feel guilty for taking a moments time for rest and food/drink, and a person that can get sick and should be allowed to call in!

Yeah..not the definition of an angel for sure! LOL!!!!! Very very human!!!!!!