Contacted Oprah Show About Nursing Issues

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone!

Yes, after visiting this website many, many times-I decided to e-mail the Oprah show to suggest a show about the issues in the nursing profession. No, I'm not a nurse yet-I start nursing school in the fall. I want to become a nurse so badly, but am scared to death after reading post after post after post about how horrible the working conditions are for nurses. It seems that nurses want to be heard, but nobody is listening. Some of the wages that nurses are getting paid and nurse-to-patient ratios are absolutely horrible for people who have patient's lives in their hands every day. Why not make some serious racket? Maybe all of you should contact the Oprah show too, which could possibly help raise a red flag. This is just an idea. What do you all think? Sorry if I sound naiive-I'm just trying to help.

Jennifer

I love my job. It is the stab you in the back patients, and familys that still cause me to "give up". You work your behind off trying to get someone some pain relief,find them a recliner, whatever...then the next day your are talked to by your supervisor because the pt said you were hateful, etc. and being anything but helpful and nice. Makes me want to throw in the towel. Thank goodness that most all appreciate what is done for them. But it appears that no one passes that info onwards. I know in my heart how good of a job that I have done. So keep the bad stuff to yourself. Remember if you can't say anything nice, do not say anything at all.

I know how frustrating it is to not feel appreciated, but I have to disagree with your last line - "if you can't say anything nice, do not say anything at all." I don't think this approach benefits anybody. If families or patients or other nurses feel like something's not right, they should speak up.

I'm sure you're a great nurse but I'm from NJ where everybody made nice and nobody spoke up ... and a serial killer nurse got away with murder for

years and years.

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we'll have an influx of people going, "OMG! Nurses get paid decently! I want to be a nurse!"

Think that's not already happening? Check out this news story from a few months ago.

Note the quote "I approached it as just another job opportunity".

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Ok, it took about a 1/2 hour but I wrote Oprah. Anyone have a prayer that she'll hear??

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.
I love my job. It is the stab you in the back patients, and familys that still cause me to "give up". You work your behind off trying to get someone some pain relief,find them a recliner, whatever...then the next day your are talked to by your supervisor because the pt said you were hateful, etc. and being anything but helpful and nice. Makes me want to throw in the towel. Thank goodness that most all appreciate what is done for them. But it appears that no one passes that info onwards. I know in my heart how good of a job that I have done. So keep the bad stuff to yourself. Remember if you can't say anything nice, do not say anything at all.

I've learned in this profession that sometimes you just can't please some patients and families. If Jesus Christ himself were their nurse for a shift, I think some would STILL find things to complain about. I had a pt last week complain to my nursing supervisor that she was upset because I didn't shut her door to her room the night she was admitted to my ICU/CCU for chest pain r/o MI!!! Can you believe that?

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Let's hope that Oprah will be interested int the first place to advocate for nurses. There are certain things the popular TV hosts may decide not to do. Talking to those who matter because of their daily contacts with the Nurses may be a good point to start - if one is not afraid to be labelled unprofessional. Lets look into the eyes of our supervisors and let them know the truth that even Nurses are human beings that have limits to how much they can take.

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Anyone hear anything??

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

yesterday, on her show about twins, triplets etc, oprah had a shout out to all you nicu nurses, pat yourselves on the back...

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Specializes in acute care.
yesterday, on her show about twins, triplets etc, oprah had a shout out to all you nicu nurses, pat yourselves on the back...

She sure did!

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I was channel surfing and saw the story and heard the shout out. Very cool!!

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I know for one that Oprah is very sensitive when it comes to babies and their moms. I also know what she is doing in South Africa. Her actions are glaring. Let us write to her to join the missing link - the Nurses -

As someone has rightly put it - a special for Nurses will not cost her much!!!

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Personally, I don't see how anyone could choose her t o champion the nursing cause.

I really have no respect for her at all.

Please enlighten me to her attributes

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