Did ya catch the article in July AJN called "I'm No Angel" written by Margaret C. Belchers MSN, RN, CCRN ? Alot of follow-up opinions in this October issue as well. If you read it....what's your opinion?
She sure gets bashed for the article in follow-ups. I agree with her totally. I smile and cringe when I get called an angel. Sorry folks. I'd take solid, reality-based praise like "You are so competent" or "You are so smart" or "I trust my family member in your hands because you are so knowledgeable" over being an "angel" any day of the week. It is such an outdated notion. So Florence Nightengale-ish. We've come along way baby. It takes away from what we really are doing as nurses and what we are capable of, and how much responsibility we carry. Nice yes, caring yes, compassionate yes....but here on earth as a fellow HUMAN BEINGS....not magical angels. YUCK. EEK. SAPPY. This to me is not bad to feel this way. It is not a gruff, old, burnt-out nurse attitude. To me it is enriching thought and a foundation for a more pleasing and rewarding career platform for the future. We all need to work towards eliminating the Doctor=God and Nurse=Angel mentality built in to this profession. It is a dysfunctional illness that only serves to make us loosen our grasp on reality and to minimize our true worth. It makes for poor doc/nurse relationships. Our patients see us as pillow-fluffing angels of the past...as if the docs are in the hall 24/7 handling every ticking moment. And we, as nurses are OK with that? Feel good and valued about that? Public education....long overdue. But to get the right message out, we have to LIVE the part. EDUCATED NURSE. NOT ANGEL. I am a good nurse and that is what is necessary to do a good job. (Besides, wings and halos tend to get all tangled up in privacy curtains) Tell me i'm thoughtful, sweet, caring...just don't put me on the Angel pedestal.
Thanks for this hour of your life. I will step off of my soapbox now.
I would never attempt to correct the issue on a patient to patient basis persay. "Angel" really rubs my philosophy the wrong way...but i'd never verbalize that to a patient. Like I said, smile and cringe. The problem is much larger than that. Effective public education is where it's at. I don't think it's going to die out with the old folks....seems to live on pretty well through the ages. I hear young people saying "I could never be a nurse or do what you do, it's a calling" B.S. The myth is alive and well.
Funny, ya know when I hear people say they could never do what I do I feel they literally mean they could not handle cleaning poop or deal with blood and vomit and take dealing with people that don't feel well day in and day out. I never thingk they mean they could not ascribe to becoming an Angel!
I think what you are referring to here are enablers or door mats I do not see them as Angels and I dont think their Pt's do either. I think these nurses are the same in their personal lives and are usually married to abusive spouses who usually don't work and they get their entire fulfilment of their lives by doing a job and it is their only personna.
You are the type of nurse mentioned regarding the "I feel closer/better and more intuned to my pt and their needs." blah, blah, blah. Where is is north of He@@
You are the type of nurse mentioned regarding the "I feel closer/better and more intuned to my pt and their needs." blah, blah, blah. Where is is north of He@@
ROFL!!!! And ya wonder where all the lateral abuse comes from in nursing....2 opposing teams....the selfless angels of mercy and the non-selfless professional nurses. LOL I wish nursing schools would all update the curriculum and turnout more of the latter type. I still think they may be using The Clara Barton Manual:How to be a nurse. Fortunately, many learn the difference during their careers and take the fork in the road....but some cling to the good ol' traditional self-sacrificing values throughout their careers....and we get to work with em':rotfl:
NOT a jab at students or new nurses....love the new blood....
Just think that many nursing schools are greatly responsible for perpetuating the self-sacrificing values of Florence's day.
I work in PACU as you may know and have been called a "beautiful angel " on occasion. I take it as a complement and say "I must be giving you the right drugs!" But this is serious now. I am called to nursing. I am a professional and competent and intelligent(and angelic at times ha ha), but I don't take offense in being thought of in a positive light. ANY positive light is good nowadays. The naughty nurse thing doesn't fly wi/me though!
Not to minimize your angelicness or anything, but when I worked in PACU, all my patient's thought I was an angel too. I think they are just so darn happy to know they survived their surgery! That was a great job!
Not to minimize your angelicness or anything, but when I worked in PACU, all my patient's thought I was an angel too. I think they are just so darn happy to know they survived their surgery! That was a great job!
Sometimes they ask if they are alive(i am serious), and I have to bite my tongue to avoid saying "No, you are in hell now".
O.K, after reading this thread I have changed my opinion. I no longer will think of nursing as a "calling" although I don't know how else to explain why I changed majors when I was a semester away from a BS degree in Psych and went back(literally) to junior college to become a nurse. I mustv'e been hallucinating. I just feel such a strong NEED to be a nurse. I always want to quit but I can't! I feel as if I signed up for life. But it's NOT a calling then. I don't know what it is. I also do not get wrapped up in any patients, which is why I chose PACU I suppose (short time with each person then they are gone).
You are the type of nurse mentioned regarding the "I feel closer/better and more intuned to my pt and their needs." blah, blah, blah. Where is is north of He@@
I apparently don't get it. I stated plainly that I do not worry about Pts after my shift. I am not sure what closer/better and more intune means. I am an educater and a caring nurse that treats my Pts with dignity and respect if that is what you mean by blah blah blah
ps Just North of He ll is just a little joke meaning I am still above ground, so I guess that blows the Angel theory huh
ROFL!!!! And ya wonder where all the lateral abuse comes from in nursing....2 opposing teams....the selfless angels of mercy and the non-selfless professional nurses. LOL I wish nursing schools would all update the curriculum and turnout more of the latter type. I still think they may be using The Clara Barton Manual:How to be a nurse. Fortunately, many learn the difference during their careers and take the fork in the road....but some cling to the good ol' traditional self-sacrificing values throughout their careers....and we get to work with em':rotfl:
NOT a jab at students or new nurses....love the new blood....
Just think that many nursing schools are greatly responsible for perpetuating the self-sacrificing values of Florence's day.
This would seem like a personal attack to some, however I know you are just being facetious. I have no worries over what you think or feel about me, perhaps nursing school should teach that you don't have to be a greedy, self rightous, know-it-all either. I am not against nurses and I was not the one that was being derogatory about others. I was not the one that made vast generalizations about a group of people because their beleifs are different than mine. I think one of your lines earlier was look in the mirror.
This would seem like a personal attack to some, however I know you are just being facetious. I have no worries over what you think or feel about me, perhaps nursing school should teach that you don't have to be a greedy, self rightous, know-it-all either. I am not against nurses and I was not the one that was being derogatory about others. I was not the one that made vast generalizations about a group of people because their beleifs are different than mine. I think one of your lines earlier was look in the mirror.
I am neither greedy, self-righteous, nor a know-it-all.
Having a great discussion about the article and the nursing profession. It's not all about YOU. And yes, I am entitled to my own opinions. Nothing said in any way has been meant to be a personalized attack on anyone. Relax.
I am neither greedy, self-righteous, nor a know-it-all.
Having a great discussion about the article and the nursing profession. It's not all about YOU. And yes, I am entitled to my own opinions. Nothing said in any way has been meant to be a personalized attack on anyone. Relax.
Hey it's not all about you! Relax! I was just making generalizations like you were.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
OK kids can we play nice in the sandbox?
There *is* room for us all at the table.....
Yes, some consider nursing a " calling" and I respect that. I believe many feel called to professions such as police work, military service, and nursing, as well as other professions that serve the public. Those who consider nursing a noble calling are often some of the best nurses around. I don't dispute that.
As for myself, I consider nursing a career, for which I deserve proper compensation as a professional, not just in pay--- but also in respect. Respect from doctors, administrators, nurse managers and yes, my patients/families; this respect should be a given for nursing as in any profession--- but often it is not. Therefore, on some level, I consider the "nurse as angel" stereotype threatening to my concept of nursing as a profession. But hey, that is just me. :)
CCU NRS
1,245 Posts
Funny, ya know when I hear people say they could never do what I do I feel they literally mean they could not handle cleaning poop or deal with blood and vomit and take dealing with people that don't feel well day in and day out. I never thingk they mean they could not ascribe to becoming an Angel!