It's clear that the hosts of the view are poorly informed about what nurses do, and that they completely missed what was so great about Miss Colorado's monologue.
I've seen hundreds of comments from angry healthcare workers - both nurses and other professionals. Most have been appropriate.
But I've also read posts calling Michelle and her co-hosts "cows", ones that call her "butt ugly", and ones that even quip that her sex-reassignment surgery clearly had poor results.
Seriously? Shame on the ones that wrote those comments. They are doing NOTHING to promote nurses as professionals worthy of respect.
Please think before posting and commenting on sites like facebook and twitter (and here) with your feelings about what was said on The View. Your comments are a reflection on our profession and when posters sink to that level it only hurts the cause.
What has bothered me in the responses to Joy Behar are the nurses that say"just wait til you get in the hospital". That infers that because of what she has said nurses will not give her good care, or worse.
To me, the fact that she will get the same care as anyone else, the same compassion and critical thinking that we use every day, is what makes us better. As nurses we do not discriminate against our patients, even ones who insult us, call us names, or even strike us. Yes we get angry and frustrated, but we still use our skills and judgement to care for them. Joy Behar will get the benefit of that just like all of our patients.
What has bothered me in the responses to Joy Behar are the nurses that say"just wait til you get in the hospital". That infers that because of what she has said nurses will not give her good care, or worse.
To me, the fact that she will get the same care as anyone else, the same compassion and critical thinking that we use every day, is what makes us better. As nurses we do not discriminate against our patients, even ones who insult us, call us names, or even strike us. Yes we get angry and frustrated, but we still use our skills and judgement to care for them. Joy Behar will get the benefit of that just like all of our patients.
You're absolutely right, and yes, I would expect her to receive the same level of care and expertise as anyone else.
But deep down, isn't it just a little satisfying to indulge your inner revenger?? Never act on it, ever, but for just a minute...
I think the last time I watched the view was probably during its first season. I was made aware of this stupidity because of the Internet.
All I gotta say is this: if nurses are insulting each other for choosing different routes for their nursing career ( ex. LPN vs RN), what can we expect from the average person who doesn't even know basic nursing scope of practice?
With all due respect, Commuter, was it really necessary to describe the (perfectly reasonable) angry reaction to Ms Behar's comment as being "butt hurt"?
Look, I agree with the previous poster that flinging personal insults at her serves no purpose. But neither does demeaning those who spoke up against her disdainful comment.
Good point, Kelly.tiller, but I do sort of expect non-nurses to realize that nurses use stethoscopes, at least.
I also sort of expect people who watch the Miss America pageant to recognize that it purports to search for and recognize an "ideal of femininity." 75 or so years ago, that meant a pretty young woman who looked good in a bathing suit on Atlantic City's boardwalk, and who could entertain by singing or dancing or playing an instrument. The expectation of good looks and a good figure hasn't changed, but do we really expect today's young women to be entertainers? What's ridiculous about a hardworking young professional sharing a story with the audience about what her career has taught her? Seems to me that that's no more ridiculous than standing on a stage playing a saxophone, or singing "If They Could See Me Now." And, considering how well Miss Colorado did in the pageant, it seems that the judges felt it was appropriate, too.
To be honest, I didn't know THAT much about how work in healthcare was divided (or shared?) before I was in nursing school. I didn't know that much REALLY, all things considered, being fully honest, until I'd been working in healthcare more than 5 minutes. Before nursing school I was also young (aka teenager), had only been in the healthcare system for primary care type stuff, several ED visits (because kids ALWAYS listen to their parents) and had one surgery (to repair my foot and ankle). I didn't have a good grasp of how much of anything in healthcare worked. Just being honest. But as hard as it is for us to grasp that, it probably is reality to those unfamiliar with healthcare.
Would I have spouted off on national TV with blanket statements? No. But then I have zero desire to be on national TV. I also have been taught to think before I speak, and as others have mentioned "consider the source".
That said, there does appear to be an element of "human nature" towards judgement of others or what one does not understand/have a basis of being able to relate to. If we're REALLY being honest, can we REALLY say we've never said or even thought something similar of others? Some people don't have a filter. Our profession requires that we filter many of the things we think from time to time - or share it "off stage" with coworkers (or others who can relate) then.
Also - observation here - but there have been PLENTY of instances where nurses are not portrayed in an accurate sense in media but this woman's opinion (which she is entitled to) gets us all riled up?
Another thought to consider (well, I have considered it anyways). There are LOTS of opinions I don't enjoy listening to or agree with. But I do and I tolerate them, allowing others to have their opinions is the ONLY way I can be sure I get mine. My opinions probably, from time to time, grind the gears of others. She can have her opinion and be out there looking the way she is for that opinion. It's kind of like the saying "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink." We CAN show what we really do and try to educate others - whether it sticks with them or changes their opinions we can't really control.
There's also that old adage to consider, "There's no such thing as bad publicity." Is it possible that this woman said something outrageous with the intention of getting people to tune in to the show? Because, if she did, it worked.
There's also that old adage to consider, "There's no such thing as bad publicity." Is it possible that this woman said something outrageous with the intention of getting people to tune in to the show? Because, if she did, it worked.
Also - observation here - but there have been PLENTY of instances where nurses are not portrayed in an accurate sense in media but this woman's opinion (which she is entitled to) gets us all riled up?
She is entitled to her own opinion, but not to her own facts. Questioning the nurse wearing a "doctor's stethocscope" was not expression of opinion, but evidence of an amazing ignorance of facts.
I understood that nurses use stethoscopes long before I ever set foot in a nursing school. I may not have known exactly what they were assessing, but I knew at least that much. Someone of Joy Behar's age has undoubtedly interfaced with nursing staff before. Her comment was astoundingly ignorant, mean-spirited, and inappropriately judgmental.
ArlyleRN
43 Posts