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 It is such an outdated notion.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.
Yes, some consider nursing a "calling" ...I respect that. I believe people DO feel "called" to nursing, police work, teaching and 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 should be a given, but often it is not. 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. :)
My point being that just because I consider Nursing MY calling doesn't mean I don't also expect all the things you mentioned. In fact I demand all the things you mentioned.
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
I posted previously, I see where the author was trying to go but feel it is a poor analogy, I guess I don't see all these references to Angels that many do so perhaps It is my region of the country that just doesn't have to deal with the Doctor as God, Nurse as Angel complex. Although I just can't see how being called an Angel could be an insult or demeaning to the profession. Angels are after all empowered by God to perform miracles and great works are they not. If people were saying they didn't feel they could live up to being an Angel I could understand that. I can not bring myself to believe that Pt's today think nurses are just so much fluff for The almighty Docs.
I am a male though and don't get any disrespect from Docs so perhaps this may be part of the influence.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Being a member of ANA, I do receive the AJN. Therefore, I had the opportunity to read this article. Sorry, I don't see where you found it offensive. I found it revealing and enlightening. I also think these thoughts express some very real experiences by SOME nurses among us in our profession. I would not and could not call it "offensive" in any way.
Personally, as I said before, I have grown tired of the "nurse as angel" stereotype. While you may not deal with it where you are, believe me, some do where they practice. I think such stereotyping needs to stop for nursing to truly advance as a profession. No, it is not the only problem holding nursing back, obviously--- but it rankles. I have felt this way a while---the article rang true for me. And apparently the author and I are not alone feeling this way---as I can see on this thread. For so many of us, our image is important and the stakes are too high to ignore this problem.
Flo was a pioneer, saved thousands of lives by using common sense and hygeine, was an excellent mathematician who documented and proved her research as to the benefits of nursing and good hygeine, a master politician and lobbyist who got laws passed to the benefit of hospitals and nurses, a career woman ahead of her time. She insisted on training and education for nurses at a time when nursing was just considered an instinctual thing that all maternal type women automatically knew how to do. People make fun of the stereotype of her, but she was truly a great woman.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
. Angels are after all empowered by God to perform miracles and great works are they not. If people were saying they didn't feel they could live up to being an Angel I could understand that. I can not bring myself to believe that Pt's today think nurses are just so much fluff for The almighty Docs.
I am a male though and don't get any disrespect from Docs so perhaps this may be part of the influence.
That is great, but what about those who do not believe in Angels or God? Should they have to be stereotyped this way and just deal with it ?
And what about us women, who DO have a problem with being thought of as altruistic "angels", rather than respected colleages and professionals? Yes, Some of us want to be seen as true professionals, not as nuns, angels or sluts or whatever other stereotypes applied to nursing since the dawn of time. As a woman, I do have a problem with all the stereotypes applied to nursing. That is my opinion, I realize. And, I don't want to be anyone's "angel", I just want to be their professional and competent nurse. Like I said, that is me, I know, but it's how I feel.
And, As to "living up to be an angel" , I am not worried about that. That is not what I aspire to, after all! I just want to do my best as a nurse, mother, human being while struggling through my earthbound life. That is more than enough for ME. :) I will leave the angelic aspirations to Heaven-dwelling entities. :)
When nurses are referred to as angels, as sometimes happens in popular and professional literature, on television, and in advertising, it doesn't make me proud. When writers in nursing journals state that it takes compassion to be a nurse, that nursing is the sacrifice of oneself for others, and that nursing is a noble profession, I disagree. But I seem to be alone in this. Was I really the only one offended by the subtitle of the professional seminar I attended last summer--"The Magic and Wisdom of Nursing"? Nursing, in my experience, isn't magic.
When nurses see stereotyped media portrayals unbecoming to us, many write letters and sign petitions. But the angelic, noble, or magical nurse is also a stereotype. We sent letters when ER showed doctors firing nurses, but how many letters were sent in response to the JAG episode that focused on World War II nurses, entitled "Each of Us Angels"? Not many, which says to me that nurses prefer not to talk about who we really are.
And who are we, really? Nursing pays us to place the needs of others before our own. Over time, putting others first can lead to self-pity and resentment. But nurses don't talk about that, nor have I seen it written about in any nursing journal. Nurses' silence on this issue perpetuates not only the false image of the angelic nurse, but also our own dysfunction. Self-sacrifice as the road to nobility has never been good for nurses. It causes burnout and compassion fatigue. We don't talk about the cost of that self-sacrifice; nursing requires its members to keep its secrets.
FIGURE. I don't exist on a higher plane because I work at the bedside. I learned about being a nurse from the "Cherry Ames" books I read as a child. In the 1943 book, Cherry Ames, Student Nurse, author Helen Wells wrote: "Cherry wanted a profession of her own. More than that, she wanted to do vital work, work that the world urgently needs. She honest-to-goodness cared about people and she wanted to help them on a grand and practical scale. But did she have all it takes to be a nurse?" Nursing schools, hospital administrators, physicians, and patients all expect us to help "on a grand and practical scale." We expect it of ourselves. That so many nurses see nursing as a calling is a longstanding tradition that has nothing to do with the work we do. What is truly noble and beneficial is to put oneself first--to eat when hungry, rest when tired. But so many nurses don't even go to the bathroom when they need to.
I am a nurse. It is my job. I put on a uniform and comfortable shoes and punch a time clock. I have the education and experience to do for others what they cannot do for themselves. But it's the intimacy of the work that feeds the angel myth. I listen to patients, touch them, reassure them, help them eat and drink, assist them with bodily functions. They are often ashamed of their need for help, and they're grateful to be treated with respect. What patients don't understand is that to me theirs are just a bowel movement to document and emesis to measure, a routine part of my day. I don't exist on a higher plane because I work at the bedside. The work and the flexibility suit me. I meet interesting people from all over the world, and I learn something new every day. Sometimes it's clinical information critical to my work. Sometimes it's about what movie I should see.
But to call nursing a job rather than a calling isn't to diminish it. I will not stop touching lives if I refuse to call the work magic. I will not be a failure if I give up self-sacrifice for self-care. Nurses have not learned this lesson well. If we indeed were to put ourselves first, perhaps there wouldn't be a nursing shortage.
For many reasons, women and men choose nursing. What a radical notion: nurses claiming the human choice of a profession rather than giving angels the credit for our good works. Try this: take a look in the mirror, and repeat after me. "I am a nurse. I do a good job. That is enough."
When writers in nursing journals state that it takes compassion to be a nurse, that nursing is the sacrifice of oneself for others, and that nursing is a noble profession, I disagree.
Ok If I am wrong I apologize but here it seems to me she is saying nurses do not need compassion and that it is not a noble profession.
And who are we, really? Nursing pays us to place the needs of others before our own. Over time, putting others first can lead to self-pity and resentment.
Here she is saying we are basically unimportant. I do not put the needs of other before my own. As mentioned I am paid, is this not the need I am fulfilling by performing my duties and didn't I only agree to perform these duties for pay?
That so many nurses see nursing as a calling is a longstanding tradition that has nothing to do with the work we do.
After admitting she does not feel a calling she denegrates all nurses that do feel a calling by saying it has nothing to do with the work we do.
What is truly noble and beneficial is to put oneself first--to eat when hungry, rest when tired.
Then she continues to put presumably nurses who feel a calling down by accusing them of ignoring their own needs. I empty my bladder when it is full and take my lunch break full 30/min off the unit.
Over time, putting others first can lead to self-pity and resentment. But nurses don't talk about that, nor have I seen it written about in any nursing journal. Nurses' silence on this issue perpetuates not only the false image of the angelic nurse, but also our own dysfunction. Self-sacrifice as the road to nobility has never been good for nurses.
This sounds like a burnout nurse manifesto.
The overall tone is that she would like to derive self esteem from her profession but as long as a fraction of the population feels that "Angelic Stereotype" she can only be self loathing.
That is great, but what about those who do not believe in Angels or God? Should they have to be stereotyped this way and just deal with it ?
And what about us women, who DO have a problem with being thought of as altruistic "angels", rather than respected colleages and professionals? Yes, Some of us want to be seen as true professionals, not as nuns, angels or sluts or whatever other stereotypes applied to nursing since the dawn of time. As a woman, I do have a problem with all the stereotypes applied to nursing. That is my opinion, I realize. And, I don't want to be anyone's "angel", I just want to be their professional and competent nurse. Like I said, that is me, I know, but it's how I feel.[/Quote]How did we go from Angel or Nun to slut?
And, As to "living up to be an angel" , I am not worried about that. That is not what I aspire to, after all! I just want to do my best as a nurse, mother, human being while struggling through my earthbound life. That is more than enough for ME. :) I will leave the angelic aspirations to Heaven-dwelling entities. :)
You hit on my point exactly. Even if you or someone else does not believe in Angels it is a giant leap to take being called an Angel by someone that does believe an insult. I feel that too many people place too much value on what others think. Self esteem is the only true value. If one values themself then others can not take that away. I understand that it may be offensive, I guess if you don't believe in Angels or God, but again the person using this as praise does, so I don't see the insulting connotation. It is not like someone smiling while calling you an idiot, they aren't saying it to offend but rather to compliment.
I will agree to disagree on this issue. I am also entitled to my opinion. have a good night.
I have never had ANY desire to be like Flo. I have never had ANY desire to make my career the most important part of my life.
Flo was a pioneer, saved thousands of lives by using common sense and hygeine, was an excellent mathematician who documented and proved her research as to the benefits of nursing and good hygeine, a master politician and lobbyist who got laws passed to the benefit of hospitals and nurses, a career woman ahead of her time. She insisted on training and education for nurses at a time when nursing was just considered an instinctual thing that all maternal type women automatically knew how to do. People make fun of the stereotype of her, but she was truly a great woman.
Very good post!
In fact prior to Flo only prostitues were used as nurses. People of good breeding and high moral content did not want their daughters doing such work. So actually Flo made nursing a profession that was respectable as well.
Specializes in Neurology, Neurosurgerical & Trauma ICU.
neuroicurn~
i've found that the people who get all wrapped up in the job and their patients usually don't have much of a life outside of work....their job is their home. their home life is pathetic. personally, i have a rewarding life outside of work, and i don't need to live through my job.
i don't think that all people who get wrapped up in their jobs and pt's are pathetic and not all people who do have a pathetic home life either. sometimes all people do is work, work, work and it's hard not to get wrapped up in that. i think your statement posted above was a little harsh.
soulshine
i don't think it was harsh at all....as i said, i have found that to be my experience. i don't think that even if someone works all the time, that that should be their "life". in order to have a healthy existence, one must have a life outside of their work. i personally, do not feel the need to get wrapped up in....or even a little involved in, my patients' lives.
nursing is a career to me...not a calling! i do it because it allows me the flexibility to work and still have a life outside of work and extra time with my family and friends (the ones that actually mean something to me). truth be told....once i walk out those unit doors at the end of the day, i couldn't care less what happens. i know i've done everything in my power for those patients and everything i was educated to do, while i was paid to be there. i do it because the human body fascinates me...not because i feel this great need to be a "healer" . give me a break!
so, is all this making me sound a little "hard"? it probably does, but guess what, that's ok with me. i put my "game face" on when i go to work. i'm paid to care for 12 hours and that's it! once i'm done, i'm done.
I don't think it was harsh at all....as I said, I have found that to be my experience. I don't think that even if someone works all the time, that that should be their "life". In order to have a healthy existence, one must have a life outside of their work. I personally, do not feel the need to get wrapped up in....or even a little involved in, my patients' lives.
Nursing is a career to me...NOT a calling! I do it because it allows me the flexibility to work and still have a life outside of work and extra time with MY family and friends (the ones that ACTUALLY mean something to me). Truth be told....once I walk out those unit doors at the end of the day, I couldn't care less what happens. I know I've done everything in my power for those patients and everything I was educated to do, while I was PAID to be there. I do it because the human body fascinates me...not because I feel this great need to be a "healer" . Give me a break!
So, is all this making me sound a little "hard"? It probably does, but guess what, that's ok with me. I put my "game face" on when I go to work. I'm paid to care for 12 hours and that's it! Once I'm done, I'm done.
It's a job, not a calling, not a lifestyle.
I couldn't agree more, this is how you feel, so others are allowed to feel how they feel right? So you mentioned you find the human organism interesting, does that mean you think it was created by design or was it a fluke? if designed then by who? I do feel it was a calling but i also do my job clock out and go home to be with my family which is the most important thing in my life.
When nurses are referred to as angels, as sometimes happens in popular and professional literature, on television, and in advertising, it doesn't make me proud. When writers in nursing journals state that it takes compassion to be a nurse, that nursing is the sacrifice of oneself for others, and that nursing is a noble profession, I disagree. But I seem to be alone in this. Was I really the only one offended by the subtitle of the professional seminar I attended last summer--"The Magic and Wisdom of Nursing"? Nursing, in my experience, isn't magic.
When nurses see stereotyped media portrayals unbecoming to us, many write letters and sign petitions. But the angelic, noble, or magical nurse is also a stereotype. We sent letters when ER showed doctors firing nurses, but how many letters were sent in response to the JAG episode that focused on World War II nurses, entitled "Each of Us Angels"? Not many, which says to me that nurses prefer not to talk about who we really are.
And who are we, really? Nursing pays us to place the needs of others before our own. Over time, putting others first can lead to self-pity and resentment. But nurses don't talk about that, nor have I seen it written about in any nursing journal. Nurses' silence on this issue perpetuates not only the false image of the angelic nurse, but also our own dysfunction. Self-sacrifice as the road to nobility has never been good for nurses. It causes burnout and compassion fatigue. We don't talk about the cost of that self-sacrifice; nursing requires its members to keep its secrets.
FIGURE. I don't exist on a higher plane because I work at the bedside. I learned about being a nurse from the "Cherry Ames" books I read as a child. In the 1943 book, Cherry Ames, Student Nurse, author Helen Wells wrote: "Cherry wanted a profession of her own. More than that, she wanted to do vital work, work that the world urgently needs. She honest-to-goodness cared about people and she wanted to help them on a grand and practical scale. But did she have all it takes to be a nurse?" Nursing schools, hospital administrators, physicians, and patients all expect us to help "on a grand and practical scale." We expect it of ourselves. That so many nurses see nursing as a calling is a longstanding tradition that has nothing to do with the work we do. What is truly noble and beneficial is to put oneself first--to eat when hungry, rest when tired. But so many nurses don't even go to the bathroom when they need to.
I am a nurse. It is my job. I put on a uniform and comfortable shoes and punch a time clock. I have the education and experience to do for others what they cannot do for themselves. But it's the intimacy of the work that feeds the angel myth. I listen to patients, touch them, reassure them, help them eat and drink, assist them with bodily functions. They are often ashamed of their need for help, and they're grateful to be treated with respect. What patients don't understand is that to me theirs are just a bowel movement to document and emesis to measure, a routine part of my day. I don't exist on a higher plane because I work at the bedside. The work and the flexibility suit me. I meet interesting people from all over the world, and I learn something new every day. Sometimes it's clinical information critical to my work. Sometimes it's about what movie I should see.
But to call nursing a job rather than a calling isn't to diminish it. I will not stop touching lives if I refuse to call the work magic. I will not be a failure if I give up self-sacrifice for self-care. Nurses have not learned this lesson well. If we indeed were to put ourselves first, perhaps there wouldn't be a nursing shortage.
For many reasons, women and men choose nursing. What a radical notion: nurses claiming the human choice of a profession rather than giving angels the credit for our good works. Try this: take a look in the mirror, and repeat after me. "I am a nurse. I do a good job. That is enough."
Ok If I am wrong I apologize but here it seems to me she is saying nurses do not need compassion and that it is not a noble profession.
Here she is saying we are basically unimportant. I do not put the needs of other before my own. As mentioned I am paid, is this not the need I am fulfilling by performing my duties and didn't I only agree to perform these duties for pay?
After admitting she does not feel a calling she denegrates all nurses that do feel a calling by saying it has nothing to do with the work we do.
Then she continues to put presumably nurses who feel a calling down by accusing them of ignoring their own needs. I empty my bladder when it is full and take my lunch break full 30/min off the unit.
This sounds like a burnout nurse manifesto.
The overall tone is that she would like to derive self esteem from her profession but as long as a fraction of the population feels that "Angelic Stereotype" she can only be self loathing.
Burnout nurse manifesto......yeah, that's it. Interesting fellow you are. I am trying to respect your opinions, I really am.
Trauma-tizedRN
150 Posts
Thanks for the mediation. Refreshing post.