[Trauma-tizedRN]

Originally Posted by RN4NICU

Terms of endearment are not the issue at all. It is the unreasonable expectations that come along with nurses being viewed as "angels" - that we "answer a higher calling", should always be selfless and subservient, that we get so much joy and fullfillment out of helping and serving that we do not need to be paid competitive wages, we don't need days off, vacations, or sick time, we should always put others before ourselves and be happy for the priviledge. Hogwash. Nursing is a career - pure and simple. Nurses get sick, have bad days, need to take breaks, deserve respect, just like everyone else. We are not superhuman and most of us are not trying to reach some higher level of spirituality by being dutiful self-sacrificing little servants - we go to work to get paid just like any other professionals. It just so happens that what we get paid to do improves/saves the lives of others.

I am just sick to death of people looking down on nurses for expecting to be well-paid and for looking out for themselves - especially when those people are other nurses.

You are soooo AWESOME! ^5! Wished all the nurses I worked with had the same attitude. You know, 21st century professionals. It annoys me to work with the ones who get so much reward from not taking breaks.. ...so enriching for the selfless types, improves nurse-esteem. They simply glow. Of course they like to let EVERYONE know they haven't taken breaks or eaten or peed. Even when you have offered to help them or cover for them so they could take one...These type never ask for help when they are drowning either.....martyrdom and sainthood. Nooo breaks I was to busy giving, and giving, and....How many docs with the "god complex" can you stomach? It works the same with the "Angel complex". Neither are truly compassionate or effective caregivers because the underlying agenda is all about them. I am a bad nurse in the eyes of these folks. I expect to eat pee and sit a few each shift. I do say NO. I stand up for myself. I don't OVERcare. I am caring and kind, but your drama is not my main concern. Your healthcare is.

[Tweety]

"Originally Posted by RN4NICU
Terms of endearment are not the issue at all. It is the unreasonable expectations that come along with nurses being viewed as "angels" - that we "answer a higher calling", should always be selfless and subservient, that we get so much joy and fullfillment out of helping and serving that we do not need to be paid competitive wages, we don't need days off, vacations, or sick time, we should always put others before ourselves and be happy for the priviledge. Hogwash. Nursing is a career - pure and simple. Nurses get sick, have bad days, need to take breaks, deserve respect, just like everyone else. We are not superhuman and most of us are not trying to reach some higher level of spirituality by being dutiful self-sacrificing little servants - we go to work to get paid just like any other professionals. It just so happens that what we get paid to do improves/saves the lives of others.

I am just sick to death of people looking down on nurses for expecting to be well-paid and for looking out for themselves - especially when those people are other nurses."


Another high five at ya! Good post. The image of nurses as "Angels of Mercy" answering a higher call has got to go. When patients refer to me as an "angel" or my peers as angels (which is rare indeed) but happens, I usually say "no just human beings doing our job, thank you."

There are some people who use angel as Renee said as a term of endearment and that doesn't bother me. "Be an angel and hand me my glasses...". Terms of endearment like sweetie, honey, dear are common in some circles. Mattsmom, I hear them too, but not as often as the ladies I'm sure. I hate to say I use them too. I call my patients "sweetie" or "love", sorry don't mean to offend or degrade anyone. I usually call males "my good friend". (After of course we've bonded.)

[CCU NRS]

Well if you honestly think that when a Pt calls you Angel they mean you are literally an Angel and don't need want or deserve, all of the things that a career or a profession involve then I would say HOGWASH!

I will go and find and read the article since I have not done so. But the people that are Pts in most facilities and especially those that would be kind enough to use the word Angel aa a descriptor I assure you do not believe you are a Heavenly entity. They are simply most likely religious in their own beliefs and are conveying a simple term of gratitiude.


As for a calling or being meant to be a nurse I am, I was, and I believe. If you think that makes me religious or psycho or whatever then you are making vast generaliztions about a certain group. I feel that because of the situations in my life I was lead to a certain understanding of medical situations and then saw an opportunity to go into a career that would have good long-term stability and possibly give me a chance to atone for some of my previous behaviours by helping other and being selfless rather than selfish, greedy or self centered.

I find it difficult to beleive that anyone in todays society believes that nursing is not a profession and that nurses are simply deitys that have no life or any concerns outside their chosen profession. I personally feel that most of the people of the USA understand all too well how much work nurses do and that we are not just little hand holders or spreader of joy.

[Tweety]

CCU NRS, the problem with people thinking we are "called" to nursing is that they look at us as nuns or priests who don't deserve proper compensation or working conditions. That we'll put up with anything because we are answering a "higher call".

Quite a number of nurses themselves think of nursing as a calling. I think for whatever reason I myself am drawn to nursing and feel that it is what I'm meant to do right now. But I don't think we need to go around promoting ourselves as answering a "calling".

I agree with your last paragraph!

[luvin it]

This thread is soo great. I want to respond to weebizit about the acct. who gave her a death look after telling her that , instead of becoming an acct. she wished she'd been a nurse. How funny was the way she responded to you, after you said "that it's just a job".....does that acct. know what it means to clean an incontinet pt. or to decide wether to use a spacula or spoon to collect a stool
speci???

To the male nurse that uses and recieves charming little "nick-names" NO WAY!! I don't give or recieve. I reintroduce myself if someone that does remember who I am and I don't call ( especially older geri pt) sweetie, honey or such.

[CCU NRS]

After reading the article I am actually a little offended. I do think my work is Noble. I would likely feel my work was noble if I were a garbage man, if you have no self esteem then it is your place to figure out what is wrong with you not blame your profession. I also do not put myself last as she mentioned I too feel it is ridiculus for people to not empty their blader or not take their lunch break because they are doing their job, if they are doing their job well (as I do) they can take the time to take care of these basic human needs without feeling they are neglecting their Pt's. I feel the authorof the aritcle was attempting to rise Nursing to a level of professionalism which is deserved but she in my opinion chose a poor comparison. I do not personally believe that people today feel that Dotor = God and Nurse= Angel. I feel those days may have had a time in the early 20th century but since the computer age has hit everyone with a modem can and does research everything they have any interest in. I also feel that degrading and criticizing an entire group of the profession that do feel called is again vast generaliztion just like any other generalization.

I am frankly very proud of my profession, I also feel that I was lead to it by some things in my life that made it a path I saw as chosen. Does this mean I am consumed with my profession? NO! I work 12 hour shifts, I do my work and I take my time off. I do not worry about a Pt after they are out of my care. I do however ocassionally feel closer to some Pts and check up on their progress on my return to work. I am also a very caring person, not only to my Pts and their families, but to my family and to my friends and loved ones.

This article while possibly well meaning was offensive to me personally.

[CCU NRS]

Originally Posted by Trauma-tizedRN

You are soooo AWESOME! ^5! Wished all the nurses I worked with had the same attitude. You know, 21st century professionals. It annoys me to work with the ones who get so much reward from not taking breaks.. ...so enriching for the selfless types, improves nurse-esteem. They simply glow. Of course they like to let EVERYONE know they haven't taken breaks or eaten or peed. Even when you have offered to help them or cover for them so they could take one...These type never ask for help when they are drowning either.....martyrdom and sainthood. Nooo breaks I was to busy giving, and giving, and....How many docs with the "god complex" can you stomach? It works the same with the "Angel complex". Neither are truly compassionate or effective caregivers because the underlying agenda is all about them. I am a bad nurse in the eyes of these folks. I expect to eat pee and sit a few each shift. I do say NO. I stand up for myself. I don't OVERcare. I am caring and kind, but your drama is not my main concern. Your healthcare is.

I think what you are referring to here are enablers or door mats I do not see them as Angels and I dont think their Pt's do either. I think these nurses are the same in their personal lives and are usually married to abusive spouses who usually don't work and they get their entire fulfilment of their lives by doing a job and it is their only personna.

[fergus51]

I don't like the self sacrificing saintly heroine kind of stereotype either (and believe me, it exists!), but I do know people who call me an angel are just trying to be nice and I take it that way. I am also just a person doing a job I love.

[CCU NRS]

Originally Posted by Trauma-tizedRN

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.

Funny, ya know when I hear people say they could never do what I do I feel they literally mean they could not handle cleaning poop or deal with blood and vomit and take dealing with people that don't feel well day in and day out. I never thingk they mean they could not ascribe to becoming an Angel!

[luvin it]

Originally Posted by CCU NRS

I think what you are referring to here are enablers or door mats I do not see them as Angels and I dont think their Pt's do either. I think these nurses are the same in their personal lives and are usually married to abusive spouses who usually don't work and they get their entire fulfilment of their lives by doing a job and it is their only personna.

You are the type of nurse mentioned regarding the "I feel closer/better and more intuned to my pt and their needs." blah, blah, blah. Where is is north of He@@