The Vanderbilt case dear colleague is THE problem with nursing: Nursing is NOT a respected profession. In as much as people vote nursing at the most trusted, yeah right, it certainly is not the most respected. I would rather have their respect than their trust, let my family and loved ones trust me. A doctor, be as grumpy as he or she might, is well-respected. As most other professions are, but certainly not nursing.
Nursing provides a good source of living
But to what loss? For what cause? The reason people are able to be stirred to a higher cause is because there is a buy-in, they believe their input matters. The opposite is the case in nursing.
Change, you say? WHAT CHANGE? There is no change in nursing, at least not at bedside. You are treated as easily replaceable and your opinions do not always count. There is trepidation, there is fear. You always wonder what "mistakes" they might ferret out. You see, they have to burrow really deep!
What life is it that you gain no joy from what you do? Innovation is lacking or out rightly shot down because of a fear that it actually just might work. Asinine!
Apple? Apple is a success story because innovativeness is welcomed.
Starbucks? Employees are called partners and spirit is high.
Nursing? Better get to it and clean the toilets while you are at it.
It is what Florence Nightingale would have wanted...Ludicrous!
Why pick and choose? Why not wear starched white gowns with little cute white caps while we are at it (smiles). After all, "it is what Florence Nightingale would have wanted"! There is a vast difference between nursing and the business world. Perhaps it is because it is a field largely populated by women, I know not.
"Lean In"women, "sit at the table"~ Sheryl Sandberg
PS: These are strictly the views of the author. It is not the intent to disparage nursing itself, but shed a light on its problems. Healthy arguments or opposing views are welcomed.
