Anti-Intellectualism in Nursing

[fakenurse]

I went into nursing because I love science and medicine, and thought working with like-minded people to deliver high-quality care sounded like a great job. Since entering the profession, however, I've discovered that there is widespread mistrust and criticism of education and research in nursing. Nurses who are curious and love to ask questions are sneered at, and nurses who pursue further education are labeled "book smart" and lacking the prized "street smarts", which seems to equate to knowing how to start an IV. I've never heard of any other profession where furthering one's education is seen as a bad thing. I'm feeling so disappointed about this attitude, and really disenchanted with nursing. I loved school, I love learning, and I think more education is always, always, always a good thing. Will I always be an outcast in nursing because of this? If we want to be taken seriously as professionals, shouldn't we be embracing theory and knowledge and intellectual curiosity?

[withasmilelpn]

" Cross-sectional studies can help us find and investigate relationships between variables though they are quite susceptible to the issue of "correlation does not equal causation". "

This is exactly why when I see a study like this - I try to keep an open mind. I believe whole heartedly in evidence based practice. I look for studies that contradict the studies posted just out of curiosity and yes I'll concede that so far http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/media/Californialegislation/Documents/Linda%20Aiken%20in%20the%20News%20PDFs/BSNJAMA.pdf trumps what I posted. Is it conclusive? See above. Is it worth consideration? Of course. Would it be helpful to see it coorberated by a different researcher - yes

I like facts, and results. In my nursing career - SOME of the courses that would've helped me get my BSN like Art history - were not beneficial. I'm not in anyway expounding that a BSN is useless.

[nursel56]

Just a general observation here . . .this thread reinforces my belief that there is not widespread anti-intellectualism in nursing. I'll grant that people who post on allnurses may be smarter than the average nurse but lots of us from differing backgrounds and levels of education love to bat ideas around.

MollyBK, I'd be interested in knowing how you came to the conviction that there is widespread anti-intellectualism in nursing.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

There are studies that don't necessarily agree with the BSN argument by the way. The one above by Linda Aiken is from 2003 - this one is 2011 concludes experience does matter and BSN does not:

Transforming education

This journal article I found interesting because although it is does call for BSN prepared nurses, it states interestingly enough that there is no definitive research that proves BSN nurses care provides better outcomes (?!)

Actually, that's the diametric opposite of what the author writes. After saying that the NCLEX is based on the hospital-based nursing that has dominated the profession for decades, she notes that more nurses are practicing outside of hospitals now, and there will be even more in the future. Try reading beyond the first comma, and then into the following two paragraphs.

She says:

Although there's no definitive research that categorically demonstrates that care provided by BSN nurses results in better patient outcomes, it's obvious that students with experience in a wide variety of care settings and who have training in leadership, policy development, and patient safety will result in nurses able to more effectively work in a changing healthcare environment. These nurses will be ready to manage patients in a variety of settings and manage the transitions in their care. These nurses will also have an understanding of the financing of healthcare and will be able to work collaboratively with other healthcare providers in a team-based environment. They'll be knowledgeable in research strategies and will be able to implement evidence-based best practices in their work. They'll also have the basic framework upon which to build leadership skills, another key message of the IOM report.2 Nurses should be, and will be, managing the care of patients and their families to avoid repeat hospitalizations and enable patients to remain engaged and empowered to manage their own chronic conditions.

To achieve this recommendation, the areas of academia and practice will need ongoing communication, innovation, and collaboration. First and foremost, the nursing profession must reach the consensus that a BSN is the entry-level requirement for professional nursing practice. We've spent far too many years discussing the pros and cons of this issue, and it has hampered our ability to forge meaningful partnerships with other healthcare disciplines and to assume leadership roles in healthcare policy and reform. (my emphasis)

If our profession is going to take a leadership role in the redesign and management of innovative patient care delivery models, we need to have nurses who are well educated and understand concepts of collaboration, leadership, and patient safety. Most of us have heard about the nursing faculty shortage, but there are creative strategies being piloted in sites all around the country to expand capacity-we just need to be open to newer and different ways of preparing entry-level nurses. One of these strategies involves streamlining automatic transitions from an associate degree program to a baccalaureate one, providing those nurses with a smooth approach to obtaining their BSN. Most states require continuing-education credits for relicensure; taking academic courses to attain a BSN should fulfill those requirements, so as not to be an added burden. There are also programs that provide for an associate degree nurse to move into a master's program, getting a BSN along the way.

- See more at: Transforming education

[lub dub]

Sorry, I never said it was my opinion that the study was wrong. And no where did I state I was against BSN prepared nurses being better for patient care. I'd like to be one, I'm not, and given my age its less and less likely. My opinion is just exactly what I said there were studies that said differently. I'm not sure what happened when I copied and pasted - will see what happened to the link I meant to post instead. Certainly did not mean to post two of the same. So I apologize.

And I didn't say that - the article did -about definitive research - thus the ?! - because I'm curious why it didn't acknowledge the results obtained by Linda Aiken.

2001:

Nurse Experience and Education: Effect on Quality of Care : Journal of Nursing Administration

No need to apologize, withasmilelpn. Asking for evidence rather than opinion was directed at whomever wrote the article (not that they are reading this) or anyone else who substitutes opinion for fact. You were merely bringing the article to our attention. I did not mean my post to be anything negative aimed at you.

[lub dub]

Just a general observation here . . .this thread reinforces my belief that there is not widespread anti-intellectualism in nursing. I'll grant that people who post on allnurses may be smarter than the average nurse but lots of us from differing backgrounds and levels of education love to bat ideas around.

MollyBK, I'd be interested in knowing how you came to the conviction that there is widespread anti-intellectualism in nursing.

While it is true that there may not be widespread anti-intellectualism in nursing, that way of thinking definitely has its fans here at AN.

[withasmilelpn]

Green tea - if you read what I said - it calls for BSN prepared nurses - I just posted it because I found the one comment interesting - the no " definitive research one." It makes plenty of persuasive arguments for BSN prepared nurses. I did read (and comprehend) the entire article.

My first link should've been to the 2001 study.

I would like to see more studies.

And education is good. I believe in education. Anti intellectualism should have no place in nursing. Ok? Ok

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Green tea - if you read what I said - it calls for BSN prepared nurses - I just posted it because I found the one comment interesting - the no " definitive research one." It makes plenty of persuasive arguments for BSN prepared nurses. I did read (and comprehend) the entire article.

My first link should've been to the 2001 study.

I would like to see more studies.

And education is good. I believe in education. Anti intellectualism should have no place in nursing. Ok? Ok

See, my concern is with the folks who will read your first sentence and quit there.

Where does it say that in the post to which I was responding? Here it is in its entirety:

There are studies that don't necessarily agree with the BSN argument by the way. The one above by Linda Aiken is from 2003 - this one is 2011 concludes experience does matter and BSN does not:

Transforming education

This journal article I found interesting because although it is does call for BSN prepared nurses, it states interestingly enough that there is no definitive research that proves BSN nurses care provides better outcomes (?!):

Transforming education

And I've found older ones that dispute BSN prepared nurses have better critical thinking skills than Nurses with their ADN - that critical thinking skills actually develop on the job and with experience. But because it's so old (1987) - thinking I won't include the link as perhaps it may not be relevant now.

This argument by the way goes back YEARS.

See, my concern is with the folks who will read your first sentence and quit there.

[nursel56]

While it is true that there may not be widespread anti-intellectualism in nursing, that way of thinking definitely has its fans here at AN.

You are absolutely right. A term that applies to large numbers of people such as "widespread" is most likely not an evidence-based statement, but an opinion or anecdotal experience of one person who wishes to add substance to their opinion or anecdotal experience. You will find fans of all manner of ways of thinking here. That's one reason I love this crazy place so much. :-)

[toomuchbaloney]

I wonder, if nurses on AN have a tendency to read just the first sentence of a thread or post and then to comment, is that evidence of anti-intellectualism in practice?

[VANurse2010]

OP - not everyone subscribes to your definition of intellectualism and not all nurses consider nursing a "profession" in the sense that you seem to. Different strokes.

[Elinor]

OP, I can so relate to you. I just finished the first part of my education and am about to sit to get my RN license. I did not go to a school that encourages intellectual or scientific rigor. The only times "evidence-based nursing" came up were when teachers said, "This is a buzz phrase, you need to know it." When in discussion I brought up exciting new research that I read about on pubmed or medscape, people looked at me like I had two heads. When I actually used my critical thinking skills to question old but unsafe or invalid nursing practices (e.g., shellfish allergy = allergy to contrast, or the trendelenburg position for hypotensive crises, etc.) I got totally shut down. People acted like I was being hypercritical or negative, totally misunderstanding my intentions, which were entirely positive. Wanting to make things better is a good thing.

Part of looking for a job for me will be looking for an organization where these attributes will be appreciated. Unfortunately, I've already come to terms with the fact that I will probably have to continue my education if I want to be more personally fulfilled, and if I want to fit in. I'm not sure whether I'll be a nurse practitioner or get my PhD and do research/teaching.

I really like the clinical environment. I just feel like, in a lot of cases, it doesn't like me back. My strengths are wasted or not appreciated.

[Nonetheless]

Some people will always denigrate those with more education or more knowledge (not always the same thing!) to make themselves feel better. Human nature is often not pretty....

That having been said, after having read peer-reviewed research studies in the 1980's and 90's that gave strong credence to interventions such as "therapeutic touch" and "healing through spectrum of light" therapy (AND studied them in and out of undergrad nursing school).........

.....AND noting that these were 100% horsehockey and BUNK....gave nursing research a bit of a black eye. [Laughingstock, in some cases!] This focus on subjective instead of OBJECTIVE studies continues, and tends to put nursing research (vs. medical or physical therapy research) in a dubious light with our health care peers.

Thrrapeutic ic touch may be horse hockey but if a patient wants it and it doesn't hurt them then why forbid them from getting it? And it may be all placebo, but knowing that they can choose their plan of care and knowing that their choices are respected may reduce their stress and help gem feel better.