Are We "Glorifying" Nurses?

[nynursey_]

A fellow nurse (and near family member) shared this article on Facebook the other day. Initially, I was furious while reading through it, but then I took a minute to think about it. I still share some of my initial shock and disgust, but it's subsiding. I'm curious to hear what some of my fellow nurses think!

So .. discuss!

Article: We Need To Stop Glorifying Nurses | Thought Catalog

[nutella, MSN, RN]

The only nurses I know who don't save lives are Hospice nurses. They do something much greater.

Yes - but let me tell you this - the success rate is 100%...

[rrrrrrrrn8]

I cringe each time I hear nurses glorifying, almost sanctifying the profession. I am not saying that it's easy to be a nurse; it can very difficult at times. I would prefer we nurses refrain from trying to make ourselves look better than other professions by complaining how hard it is to be a nurse and then openly point out other professions that don't seem to have it so bad. Commonly, I've heard colleagues complain they have to work long 12-hour shifts, nights, holidays and weekends. Many health care workers we work with have the same "terrible" schedule and are paid less. Don't forget that compressed work weeks also provide four to seven day stretches of time off.

And really, while nursing school wasn't a walk in the park, it was nowhere near "hell" as many describe.

Glorify our profession by nursing with humility and stop overtly seeking attention. Do your best, be proud and move on.

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

I agree the martyr mentality doesn't help us. I disagree that anyone can be a nurse..why do people flunk out otherwise? I also disagree that we don't save lives. Tell that to any nurse that's caught a potentially deadly physician mistake.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

What a great overview of the martyr mentality. I hear many nurses say they are smarter than doctors, I hear them say the are going to Heaven just because they are a nurse, and that others are "beneath" them. Sorry, all lies. I disagree that there is not a personality trait that makes someone a nurse, those that do it for the money can be pointed out in a few minutes.