Sticky Politics

Here is an interesting op ed piece on a conversation that I had with a fellow nurse on our way off shift in the throes of a day of unrealistic expectations and how in the world we ever got to this place. My co-worker is an amazing nurse. However, just came out of discipline on....wait for it....she forgot to take out her 2nd earrings in her ears. And the policy "clearly" states just one set of small earrings per nurse. This co-worker has been a nurse longer than I have been alive. Has saved more lives than I can even tell you. Everyone respects her judgement but management. It got me thinking.... Nurses Announcements Archive Article

Sticky Politics

It seemed at one time, nurses were defined by their practice. Being a good nurse meant that you were careful, confident in your abilities (or at least your charge nurse was) that you did all that you could to be the best for your patients.

One thing has not changed. There are few nurses that would say that they do not go into work with good intentions. There are some nurses who are amazing at what they do. There are nurses who can take the most complex situation and make it work. And the patient is better for it.

Since when did it become commonplace that the people healing business became about the almighty dollar store? That nurses are charged with the theme park-esque "customer is always right" scenarios? That if you were amazing at patient care, this is not even remotely as important as making sure that you take out your extra studs in your ears???

Presidents and CEO's get into it with MD's. MD's get into it with nurse managers, and managers get into it with nurses and on and on it goes. Then everyone is in the feather-smoothing business. If they can't attack your skill, lets pull out the self esteem busters. Because a questioning nurse who has the added pull the rug out from under you sensation is the nurse they can "FINALLY" get to leave....because there are more that can be groomed appropriate for the customer. With the wonderful door prize of convincing one that it was their idea to leave in the first place. Too bad, so sad, next please.

Said nurses are gleaned for all of their skill, because after all, with the hugs and kisses one has to at least make it look medical in nature, and jobs are being taken away--to be given to others (and yes, I mean others....as in there can be 2 for 1 of you---and don't think you will not be reminded of this) who can become kool-aid drinkers. And there's always more, as after all, as higher paid nurses due to seniority, you best bite a LOT more than someone else can chew.

Gone are the days when a nurse works hard, and goes up the ranks, and the team stays together with like minded members new and old with "one of them" as the head. Give someone a "health management" degree and Waaa-laaaa just add water and we are left with someone who has unrealistic demands on nurses gone wild. And who are burnt. And who are balancing all of the nursing stereotypical images that we tried so hard to make go away.

What has happend to nursing as we know it? Well, they are churning out more nurses than Carter has liver pills, and understandably, they want a job. And should have a job. But one has to question if they will ever have a basis of understanding to make a team work--if everyone on the team is as deep in the dark as the next. Who shall lead them? And most importantly, at the expense of the patient?

Nurses who have come from an "old -school" of thought may have the rug pulled from them, but never have the wool pulled over their eyes. 20 years from now I am sad at what nursing could look like. But by then I will have long said goodbye to my humbling career. Seemingly, anyone who rocks the boat ends up seasick..or thrown over the side to drown. But, please drown quietly and with a smile on your face--after all, we don't want to make a poor impression....

Sad state of affairs, indeed.

jadelpn

About jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B

9 Articles   4,800 Posts

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Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

Before WWII RNs could be terminated for wearing nail polish on their day off.

In the 1970s I had to wear white, a cap, and flesh colored stockings.

I had to but nylons because they decided the white cotten tights looked old fashioned.

Hair above the collar.

It is too bad a nurse was disciplined for wearing two earrings. That is not just cause.

It's not possible to give this post all of the "likes" it deserves.

This^^^^^. Like a thousand times lol...

Jadelpn I always enjoy your articles!

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Jade, as always........you NAILED it. Great article!!

Nursing is NOT a martyrdom.

Nursing is a profession.

No, nurses with the right qualifications do NOT have to wait to go up in ranks.

They earned it and they GET to keep it.

The cold hard truth is that nursing is NOT charity

At least, not all of the time

The hospitals provide care and expect to be rewarded for their efforts...in cash.

Granted there are cases of overkill

As is in every other profession

Nursing/Healthcare is a business.

A cold hard truth is that in business you do not get what you deserve; you get what you negotiate

Change is the only constant in life; times as you knew it have changed. And so must we!

As change agents and nursing professionals, we must be willing to adapt and make the best out of a situation.

That is what fighting people do!

So fight! We do not push back against a tidal wave; we find ways to best it and make it work for us.

That is clear-cut "politics".

hi ilke ur post in this giving information is very usefull.

Specializes in Critical Care,Recovery, ED.

Yes healthcare is a business always has been in this country.

Yes change is inevitable, both good and bad, therefore we must be the change agents for our own profession.

Instead of eating our young we need to unite and protect our fellow competent nurses who speak out against the bad changes that are being imposed on our profession by those who are not members of the profession.

Sorry. It is about money. I personally know nurse who has her master's. She is working as a LVN in a SNF for a very big company. Does not believe in grew your own. In fact just offfered early retirement to many. Do more with less. As patients get sicker we are expected more. Lord forbid,we can get fired over tylenol. Seen it somewhere else. Please do not say anything anout staffing. Sitters. Senority. Your butt will be out fast quick and in a hurry.

Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

"You do not get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate. ". So true

In corporate health care nursing is an expensive line item on the budget.

Great article-well written.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Yes healthcare is a business always has been in this country. Yes change is inevitable both good and bad, therefore we must be the change agents for our own profession. Instead of eating our young we need to unite and protect our fellow competent nurses who speak out against the bad changes that are being imposed on our profession by those who are not members of the profession.[/quote']

THIS. :yes:

Grey article again jadelpn!