Nurse is a nurse is a nurse

rachel h, BSN, RN · May 12, 2003

The opinion of nursing has got to change. I think that is the most frustrating part of being a nurse. From family members hanging out of a patient's doorway staring at you like you are doing nothing when in fact you are charting, preparing meds or checking a patient's labs to unhappy patients who are going to report whatever it is they're unhappy about to the doctor, because of course, the doctors must be in charge of us nurses.

And what about the doc's perception of nurses? Now, I'm not including all docs of course, but what do some of them think we do? I kid you not, yesterday I had an order, yes, an actual ORDER for 1) diaper changes prn, and 2) call H.O. with unstable vitals...Really?... you don't say...

Sorry, I feel myself beginning to vent here, but also what about conversations I have with my friends and family who have no medical background who think the main functions of a nurse's job are to 1) put bedpans underneath people and clean up poop, 2) bathe patients, and 3) feed patients, no thinking required? Makes me want to barf everytime I have to explain to people that there is critical thinking required, I need to know lab values and what they mean, I need to know what all the meds do and how they work, I need to know various s&s so I know when to react and when something is just a minor bump in the road...

I don't know how this will change... It kind of makes me think of how teachers had to fight for a long time for better pay, benefits and more respect... I think nurses are traveling the same path...

liberalrn · May 12, 2003

OK. Many thoughts. I would go see Emma Thompson read the phone book aloud, so I'm renting that movie tonoc! Also, docs write "no brainer" orders because their butts have been burned one too many times by bad nurses--yes, they are out there! I shouldn't have to tell a nurse that a PD pt needs a daily weight...yet this nurse will come back at me with, "but it wasn't ordered"......

The image of nursing is static. My 5 y/o just had outpt surgery. He recieved from the nurses a coloring book--a visit to the hospital etc. Very thoughtful. The "nurses" were bears (OK by me) complete with skirt and cap. Always standing behind the doctor (always a male bear--that is, no long eyelashes and wearing pants) etc. It made me ill.

This image stuff is why I cannot watch ER. The job of those nurses would appear to be slapping any number of doors open and calling the resident or whomever to go to another room....stat! I always pay attention then and I go....stat, into another room myself!

Dayray, RN · May 12, 2003

It gets worse =( today I had lunch with my fahter in law. He was complaing becuase my mom in law a CNA is being forced to attend classes on weekends. I asked what the classes were for. Seem she is being forced into med certifacation class including hwo to give IM's. Guess where she works? in the hospital on the med surg floor.

I have heard this was coming but dident belive it CNAs are going to give meds in the hospital =( what a scarry thought and what a slap to nurses, a 20 hour course that allows CNAs to do one of the core tasks of med/surg nurses

nursebucky · May 12, 2003

I understand your vent, but as a Phlebo working through nursing school, I am almost always mistaken for the nurse...even when the nurse is standing there. I take it that I look nice since I am not frowning l ike some of our ER nurses.

I take it in stride and I always feel as if I am on cloud nine.

When I work the night shift, it is so cold that we wear lab coats. Well, the ER Doctor thought I was a Doctor one night. I was highly flattered! He has respected me to the utmost every since.

I could have walked on water with Jesus that night!!!!!

moonshadeau, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP, CNS · May 12, 2003

when it comes to identifying myself I have come to say "I am a REGISTERED nurse". Helps to deter any confusion.

Plus also recommend reading "From Silence to Voice" by Bernice Burish. It is a real eye opener written from the standpoint of someone who is not in the healthcare industry.

KailuaNurse · May 12, 2003

I totally agree with the above posts. I find it very distrubing when other don't understand the functions of nurses. I also can't watch any "medical" shows because of the way that it depicts nurses as absolutely brainless. I was venting about this to my boyfriend about how the general public should know just how much nurses are educated and it's the nurses eye and knowledge that notifiy phyisicians "hey, you better check this kid out."

Just to vent: I work at a teaching hospital and I had this med student who was working with one of the patients. Everytime she would tell me something she would ask "Do you have any questions?" The kiddo need NG tube placed. I was thinking you have got to be kidding. I should have asked her. "Now, how do you place an NG tube?" LOL:chuckle

Dayray, RN · May 12, 2003

hehe I would have asked her which end to insert it in

liberalrn · May 13, 2003

wow. wow and double wow. Just watched "Wit" starring Emma Thompson. Excellent film. Nurses are portrayed realistically......in the caring and compassion and competence departments. Don't know 'cause don't work onc, but the RN's assignment seemed rather light. Still, advocacy for pt is shown etc. It's a very powerful film and one that I will watch again. Cannot give away ending...but truly holistic in the best of ways......furball--many, many thanks!!!!!

healingtouchRN · May 13, 2003

I know what ya mean about people who say they are nurses but are NOT! I had a gal last year come into my ER with her attitude & tell me she was a nurse at the doc in the box up the street from our little ER. Well, when I pulled her face sheet to complete her discharge I find she is an MA. I told her to her face that telling people she is a nurse is not legal, & punishable by a fine, & further more if she wanted to be a nurse then go to school, but she should not be lying about it especially to someone who can find out! She was sour about the whole thing.

MartL · May 13, 2003

Removed for violation of TOS

prmenrs, RN · May 13, 2003

I saw that movie "Wit", too. Unbelieveable movie. And I LOVED the nurse!! She actually pulled up the potty chair when she was sharing the popsicle! A nurse would actually DO that!

Emma Thompson was fantastic in that. I wonder if it won any awards.

Furball · May 13, 2003

You're very welcome, liberalRN! I agree...that nurse had a lot of time on her hands and and unrushed. Still needs work but a definite improvement over 99% of the portrayals(sic) of nurses in the media. Thompson deserved an academy for that performance.