why???

merlee · Aug 22, 2011

Smily - - this has been discussed before. Check the archives. Also, why ask this type of question on a forum designed to help each other not bash each other?

Many surveys show that nurses are highly respected.

Which contractors are more important - electricians or plumbers?

Katie5 · Aug 22, 2011

I was going to say something mean...

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

There are several different factors that lead to doctors being seen as more respected than nurses, by some. Briefly, a couple that come to mind most readily:

1. Education. Doctors complete an undergrad, attend medical school, complete an internship and a residency before they begin practicing independantly. Nurses enter the field as an RN with as little as two or fewer years of education. This is one of the reasons for the push toward baccalaureate education as a minimum for nursing.

2. Media portrayal. In a society driven by tv shows and movies, the portrayal of doctors and nurses plays a big role. I've yet to see a show that accurately shows the role of the nurse. Most focus on doctors. Nurses are simply there to carry our their orders. Not to mention the history of nurses being shown as sex objects, rather than professionals.

I could think of a few more, but these are probably the most common.

enchantmentdis, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

American society has always valued those that make a higher salary. Doctors are in this category. Doctors also have a lot of power--prescribe meds, do surgery, etc... I have always had the suspicion that most people think nurses do busy work, like mothers who stay home with their kids; that we are babysitters. I also believe lots of folks think any dummy can do our job; yet they always say, "I couldn't do this kind of work." Nursing is also a traditionally female dominated profession, and women are still trying to be taken seriously in this country. Many folks think we get paid way too much money to do menial tasks. As for television, people would rather watch a young hot doctor or a physically past his prime smart aleck like "house", do surgery, have romances, get away with rude, abusive behavior, etc... They are not interested in bedpans, iv bags, pills, meals, watching a nurse struggle to ambulate a patient, or keep that pt in bed. Let's face it, when i talk about these things with my own family they are bored to death. Yet, when the only doctor in the family speaks up their ears prick up just like my terrier mix's. And frankly, so have i been bored with this profession. How could what i have to say possibly compete with the family medical doctor's fascinating life?

ShayRN · Aug 22, 2011

And frankly, so have i been bored with this profession. How could what i have to say possibly compete with the family medical doctor's fascinating life?

I am not trying to be a smart alec here, but ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I have been everything with this profession, frustrated, angry, thrilled, confused. But, never, ever bored! I have so many antedotes and stories. From families who touched my heart to patients who made my life hel&& 8 hours at a time. Nursing as a BORING profession? Never.

enchantmentdis, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

I am not trying to be a smart alec here, but ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I have been everything with this profession, frustrated, angry, thrilled, confused. But, never, ever bored! I have so many antedotes and stories. From families who touched my heart to patients who made my life hel&& 8 hours at a time. Nursing as a BORING profession? Never.

I just me the task oriented part: I&Os, implementing orders, keeping track of vitals, drsg changes, telemetry, endless paperwork. I did all this stuff for 15 years, and it does get old after awhile. Dealing with family members, even the ones you get along with, and feel like you're communicating well with, has never been boring, though. Since i am a hospice nurse now, i get to interact more than ever before with families and patients; and it is enjoyable and worthwhile work; and the gratitude from families and pt's is more frequent than it ever was all those years in acute care. I am not bored doing hospice work, because i am not trapped for eight or twelve hours on a hospital ward anymore. I spend anywhere from one to three hours with the hospice pt's and families, fixing problems, document the visit on the computer (eliminates reams of paperwork with bad handwriting), and then i am out the door for the next prn visit. It's great. I wish i would have tried hospice nursing years ago. Such a refreshing change from hospital nursing. It's okay, i didn't think you were being a smart alek; and of course after 17 years of nursing, I have a ton of funny, challenging, interesting, and touching stories, too.

wifetoAndy · Aug 22, 2011

There are several different factors that lead to doctors being seen as more respected than nurses, by some. Briefly, a couple that come to mind most readily:
1. Education. Doctors complete an undergrad, attend medical school, complete an internship and a residency before they begin practicing independantly. Nurses enter the field as an RN with as little as two or fewer years of education. This is one of the reasons for the push toward baccalaureate education as a minimum for nursing.
2. Media portrayal. In a society driven by tv shows and movies, the portrayal of doctors and nurses plays a big role. I've yet to see a show that accurately shows the role of the nurse. Most focus on doctors. Nurses are simply there to carry our their orders. Not to mention the history of nurses being shown as sex objects, rather than professionals.
I could think of a few more, but these are probably the most common.

Have you seen the show Combat Hospital? I am only a student nurse, so don't know much about the real workplace, but I love that the head nurse out ranks the doctors and he regularly tells them what to do!

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

Let's not overlook what doctors and nurses DO. Doctors examine, diagnose, prescribe, and generally do more cerebral aspects of patient care. Nurses are hands on, assisting with ADLs, ambulation, toileting, administering medications, etc.

I have ever seen only ONE doctor clean up poop, and I was floored.

I think that our status in the spectrum of patient care is lower than that of doctors, in part because what we do can be seen as less skilled, requiring less intellect, and is more subservient.

sweetnurse63, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

To be honest, RNs with an ADN degree have a total of at least 4 yrs of education if you include all of the prerequsite courses which adds up to about 4 yrs. BSNs have at least 6 yrs, sooo this makes nurses whatever the degree, highly educated professionals. :nurse:

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

*sigh* I really wish this site was really for "allNURSES"

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

To be honest, RNs with an ADN degree have a total of at least 4 yrs of education if you include all of the prerequsite courses which adds up to about 4 yrs. BSNs have at least 6 yrs, sooo this makes nurses whatever the degree, highly educated professionals.

BSN's have 6 years of education?? Where did you get that from? My BSN program was four years including prerequisites and that's standard for most universities. Most ADN programs are 2 years or 2.5 years.