Apathy in nurses and students

[freki]

I've always been a very involved person; admittedly I am a little biased on this subject. But I have noticed, both through my experiences working as a CNA, EMT and ER tech and as a student RN, that nurses can be very apathetic when it comes to anything outside the requirements of their 12-hour (or whatever) shift. I hear day-in and day-out the complaints from co-workers about the injustice of the system(s), without a single offer to really do anything about it. In America, there are roughly 3 million nurses. Only about 175,000 are members of the American Nurses Association. That is about 5.8% of nurses who care enough to give money annually to their professional organization. And how many of those are even involved? I understand that there are other professional nursing organizations, but I'm willing to bet you see similar rates regardless. At my own school, of my class of 50 students fewer than 4-5 ever participate regularly in the NSNA chapter and it's almost impossible to get anyone to do anything not required for a grade.

I'm venting about this massive apathy because I need help. I need some ideas on how to address this. I know you can't get everyone involved, but the numbers need to be higher. I'm looking at increasing, in particular, participation in my school's NSNA chapter and need ideas. Thanks! And also, discussion on this topic is appreciated as well.

[freki, ADN, RN]

Aurora, I'm sorry they required you to join. I feel that is more of a disservice than anything. I think schools should be educating students about the importance of volunteer work and activism, but not forcing it upon them. That just makes for sour feelings.

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

so i take it by your post commuter, that the ana does not accept memberships from those with an adn or lpns?

or at least keep them separate some way?

i didn't know that. that's pretty sad.

hi there seethemoon...when i was reading the threads, i was thought to myself, "surely ana does not only accept rn's into their organization." so, i looked it up on their site and it stated only rn's and aprn's. i don't think the level of education matters so as long as the applicant has the designation of rn or one of the aprn designations.

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

agreed. in ga it's even worse. i have several lpn friends in my class for rn and they all say the only thing they can't do that rns do is spike blood. i know a lot is facility policy too but in ga the scope of practice is so vague from my understanding. i think one of the biggest problems with nursing is there seems to be this great divide (even on an sometimes ) lpns, techs, cnas, and rns all work together, seems they should be honored together.

i'm just a student, but even i can see the lack of unity. sounds like organizations like ana isn't doing much to help that.

i agree. there always seems to be some "hot topic" that causes a divide among a profession. for example:

do vs md

rn vs lpn

bsn vs asn

np vs md

the one topic that continues to irritate me is the "bsn prepared nurse provides better outcomes than adn nurses" because of the level of education. okay, then have a research trial where you have three different types of new grads 1) adn 2) bsn 3) msn. follow those new grads for one year and provide evidence as to which would provide better outcomes. if we are suggesting that the level of education is the key factor, then one would assume the accelerated master's prepared rn would provide better outcomes. if this is true, then patricia benner's theory of novice to expert is refuted. it's hog wash!

i have no idea why i went on this rant. sorry. ohh yeah, i just wanted to say i agree with your post.

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

I love getting involved for these reasons:

1. It puts me in touch with other students who are passionate about nursing in the same way that I am. This in turn energizes me, builds a network of contacts and broadens the number of people to whom I can go for support. I have made many friends across the state who feel the way I do about nursing.

2. I love the process of writing and debating resolutions. As a brand new nurse, I don't always KNOW what I should or do feel about certain controversial, ethical or clinical topics. Being involved helps me weigh things out, formulate opinions and learn how to vocalize them. Even if MY voice isn't the voice that carries the day, I got to speak it. Because I am a brand new baby nurse in the making, that is enough for now. It is part of discovering my own personal nursing philosophies. Whether or not I make a huge impact on a national level is not as important to me as just learning about my own personal practice ideals as a nurse. Being a part of the legislative process helps me do that. It gets me kind of high in a sense. I love it.

3. It has built my self esteem a great deal. I am an older student, second career, two teens and married and have always been a "sink into the background, don't make waves" type of person. Attending the conferences, Council of Schools, taking leadership positions have all stretched my definition of who I am at this point in my life. I am learning a lot about myself and liking a lot of what I am finding out. It gives me energy, purpose and helps me remember why I am doing this when it gets hard.

4. I am hopeful that my state level leadership position will help separate my resume a bit from the masses. It may, it may not. But it can't hurt.

5. It gives me social time still within the framework of school and pursuing my goals. My kids are older and have much less use for me now than they did when they were young. Rather than mourn the passing of their childhood, I am finding ways to keep myself busy in other things that are important to me as I learn to launch them into their lives.

I don't fault anyone for not being involved. I never once joined PTA again after a bad experience early in my oldest child's grade school years. Some people just don't enjoy this kind of thing or need it to meet any needs in their lives. I felt that way about PTA and totally get it when someone does not care for the politics.

I have had researching which nursing organization to join after graduation on my agenda prior to graduating in December. I am sad to hear about the ANA's stance on LVN/LPNs, ASNs and CNAs. I will definitely be looking into that stance and comparing it with other organizations as I decide where to put my energy next.

Thank-you for providing a differing perspective on this topic.