Annoyed that public doesn't know what nurses do?

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

I've read here in many, many threads that we're dismayed, annoyed, and bewildered that the general public doesn't understand what we do.

So I have a question for all of you--

are you telling them?

and for our collective benefit, HOW are you telling them? Please share so that we may all teach our patients about who we are as nurses and what we really do.

My patients get detailed admission teachings on medications, labs (what certain ones are targeted to do and when they can expect to get them), and treatments. They're encouraged to call me for changes in symptoms and for pain control.

Here's something I learned to tell them from some of these threads and thoughts from other nurses:

At a certain point in the admission, I point to my badge and show them where to look for our name and license designation, and explain that nurses are LPNs and RNs, and that we or their doctor are best able to answer questions about medications, tests, or treatments, and it was important to identify who their nurse was as opposed to say, the housekeeper or the unit secretary since we all wear scrubs.

Almost without exception, these patients will pretend that they already knew that, but I can tell that they did not.

I make it a point to explain that the tech will be assigned to help with getting to the bathroom, taking vital signs, and things like that, while I'll be giving medications and consulting with their doctor about changes in symptoms.

My goal is to teach all of my patients some functions of nurses today and how to identify the nurse in the hospital setting as being part of an informed healthcare consumer.

I need to thank those of you at Allnurses who shared in the threads about public perception of nursing. They've really been a springboard for changing the way I talk to my patients and how I educate them throughout their stay in the hospital. But there are always more ways to do this, and I would appreciate your thoughts. So don't be shy....

Please share how you are teaching your patients what nurses do as you care for them throughout their stay.

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

I really appreciate your starting this thread. Very timely, in fact. I take a similar approach...educating who is who and who does what in relation to their care. I also discuss the role of the social worker/case manager in relation to discharge planning.

Can't wait to hear others' replies.

[lindarn]

I really appreciate your starting this thread. Very timely, in fact. I take a similar approach...educating who is who and who does what in relation to their care. I also discuss the role of the social worker/case manager in relation to discharge planning.

Can't wait to hear others' replies.

Patients don't know because we don't tell them, the hospital doesn't tell them because they don't want them to know. Our professional services and contributions to patient care are rolled into the hospital bill with the house- keeping, linens, and the complementary roll of toilet paper and box of Kleenex.

Until nurses bill for there services, we will always be invisable.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Patients don't know because we don't tell them, the hospital doesn't tell them because they don't want them to know. Our professional services and contributions to patient care are rolled into the hospital bill with the house- keeping, linens, and the complementary roll of toilet paper and box of Kleenex.

Until nurses bill for there services, we will always be invisable.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

I understand how easy it is for nurses to feel victimized and powerless. But the truth is, we're not victims, we're not powerless in this situation.

Almost every single human being in this country will be hospitalized at some point in his/her life. It's our oppotunity to educate the public to make the connection that nurses are intelligent, educated professionals, not doctor's handmaidens or glorified waitresses.

The Internet has provided a valuable tool in which nurses can raise our collective consciousness regarding these issues.

In other words, I disagree that we need "always be invisible."

We're just as invisible as we choose to be.

[mattsmom81]

Well its gotten to the point where there is so much to do, that we often choose to address more essential demands stuff (physical patient care issues) than the 'talking' stuff. I've been guilty of that...there is so much to be done, so little time in today's short staffed environment of care.

I make a point of introducing myself and explaining basically what my role is wherever I'm working. They understand so little of the technical jargon, I find they mostly get the message I'm responsible for everything for them...including minor housekeeping duties and stuff for other depts.

So..the public has quite selective hearing/understanding..and its understandable when they're ill. They just want 'somebody' to DO for them, and the nurse is the one who is 'there.'.

[lindarn]

I understand how easy it is for nurses to feel victimized and powerless. But the truth is, we're not victims, we're not powerless in this situation.

Almost every single human being in this country will be hospitalized at some point in his/her life. It's our oppotunity to educate the public to make the connection that nurses are intelligent, educated professionals, not doctor's handmaidens or glorified waitresses.

The Internet has provided a valuable tool in which nurses can raise our collective consciousness regarding these issues.

In other words, I disagree that we need "always be invisible."

We're just as invisible as we choose to be.

We have been TAUGHT TO BE INVISIBLE. It is reinforced by the hospitals, by the press, by the Martry Marys of the profession, who feel that we should should be flogged for thinking that nursing is not a "calling", but a professional career that we deserve to be well compensated for, and respected. Remember what your mother used to say, that it wasn't "ladylike" to brag about your "accomplishments"? Don't "show off", especially to boys? Unfortunately, nursing took that advice to heart, and now is ingrained in our professional image. I agree, nurses don't have to be, and shouldn't be, invisible. But, we too often don't have the time to "blow our own horns". The hospitals would rather keep us, "barefoot and pregnant" and invisible, which leads us to be powerless. They have us right where they want us.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Please understand that this thread's purpose is not to debate whether or not nurses are powerless victims or whether or not it is possible to educate patients about the role of nurses in the healthcare environment. It is.

The question is how you are personally trying to meet that goal in your practice.

Thanks for keeping on track and just answering the question, folks.

[mattsmom81]

I have explained to friends and family members what its like to be a nurse. I've told everyone who cares how frustrating it is...with so much liability and zero authority.

Patients are in a vulnerable position and when they're ill, they don't comprehend, they just 'need'. I wasn't debating, I was stating what for me is a fact. whenever appropriate and possible I educate my patients to my role and the misconceptions.

I applaud nurses who publish and do interviews and get 'into the public eye' and aren't afraid to tell the truth about healthcare today. They are my heros. The nurses with advanced degrees generally are most listened to in my experience, but many of these these highly educated nurses don't have a 'down in the trenches' perspective, unfortunately. I absolutely LOVE those who do and aren't afraid to tell it like it is!!

Everytime I see a commercial or a TV show portraying nurse stereotypes I cringe. I saw another one...the 'lusty nurse' after the young male patient wearing some deodorant spray. Its why I support the Center for Nurse Advocacy...we must address this stuff as it IS what the public listens to.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I honestly do not think while people are sick and vulnerable, it's a good time for me to educate them as to what I do. I will say this: I do think patients notice it all the time.

Honestly, If I had a dime for everytime a patient told me "darn, you do a lot I thought only the dr's did"---or "you sure know a lot of stuff, don't you?" ---I would be living on the oceanfront sipping mai tai's, not wearing scrubs and working as I do.

Many do know what we do.....and appreciate us. Many who don't, do not care, anyhow. All we can do is educate the public as much as possible----and display nothing but true professionalism on the job, whatever job that may be. Our IMAGE is as important as educating others is, if not more. It's time to really fight those stupid media shows/portrayals that hurt our image. That is a big part of where the public gets its information, right or not.

And it's time we take a LONG look in the mirror at the image we ourselves portray. Getting rid of the gum-popping, long nails, sloppy scrubs, gossipy behavior at the nurses' stations, etc, are real steps in the right direction.

[fergus51]

Have you been reading Suzanne Gordon? :)

I don't even have to tell my families. They are at the bedside enough to see for themselves all that the nurses do. We have the most contact with them.

[SmilingBluEyes]

rofl. you talking to me ferg?

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

i am sorry but this is off topic what does rofl mean? i see it on this site alot.