What it comes down to...

[standupspeakout]

I am losing such faith in people today. Us, as nurses, are suppose to stick together and have each other's back.

-give advice, not criticism

-show compassion, not impatience

-help each other, don't knock each other down

the list goes on....

[ponymom]

Not the way the world works, dear. Nor should it be...

Criticism has (at times) saved lives, altered policy for the better and weeded out those not fit to be in healthcare.

Impatience has (at times) whipped lazy co-workers back into shape.

Knocking each other down is subjective (as are the other two). Are you the knocker or the knockee?

Yes, I think I know what you may be getting at. However certain aspects of nursing may require (or otherwise bring about) actions by others that either are perceived as impatient (constant repetition of something to someone who just.isn't.getting.the.concept) or actually meant to be criticizing (blatant or repetative errors, etc.).

We've all seen, schooled with and worked with others who need a good dose (or more) of critisism, who have used up their allottment of patience points, and even those who could use a good slap-down.

One cannot always just constantly and unrelentingly help others who at some point maybe just shouldn't be in the field, for whatever reason.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Criticism is very much needed in today's society as long as it is delivered in a constructive manner. I think criticism, when worded carefully, can be the springboard for positive change and self-improvement. Adapt or die...

There are too many people who are fishing only for what they want to hear, and nothing more. As much as the truth hurts, we must be willing to listen.