BSN or BUST

Rex, that was a very interesting and profound post. You helped make me think of a few things...

After making multiple visits to this site,I fear that the bottom line is that nursing will NEVER be a profession. In response to your question Rex, "why can't we raise leaders within nursing to um lead us to the promise land." The answer is simple, when someone rises to a position where the could lead, they are instantaneously stabbed by their peers. "They don't understand us, anymore... they forgot what it was like to be a REAL NURSE" are the common laments of the masses.

I am sure others will say I am sexist, but oh well-- but I have never seen a female dominated profession that enjoyed high levels of autonomy or respect. Nurses tend to be very malicious to each other, very 'caddy' and very back-biting. Christ, at least 10 different conversations in this board drew lines in the sand over entry level education into nursing.

Case in point, I went into the nursing home to see some patients yesterday, I sat on one unit for about 2 hours. In 2 hours, do you want to take a guess at how much B.S. I heard. "If *NAME* thinks I am going to bust my a** while she sits down in that room kissing Mr. *NAME*'s families a**, she's crazy." Then I heard "*NAME* hasn't done this or that yet, and its almost 11:00!" Followed by "*NAME* is such an idiot... do you want to hear what she said?" BUT THEN, when *NAME* showed up, they were sooooo sweet to them, and so nice to their face. "Backstabbing wenches" was all that I could think of.

After 2 hours of that, I was in need of compazine. I couldn't wait to get away from that place.

My thoughts on the matter--- no, nursing will never receive the respect and admiration it deserves, why??? SOME nurses [mind you some, not all], should look in the mirror, because that's who is to blame.

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Tis with our judgements as our watches, none go just alike, yet, each believes his own.

-Alexander Pope

Tim, you must work at the same place I do!! I think to myself--my own kind (nurses) are such an embarassment to me sometimes. This is so sad. Guess it wouldn't be so bad, IF I didn't remember what it was like so long ago and far away. At one time, we were such a cohesive and nurturing group. Wish we could go back in alot of ways.

Thanks Rex. Your post is food for thought. Tim-GNP, you're right. Women are something else. So are men. We either get chewed, hen-pecked or nawed to death by women or get butchered and head chopped by men (I hear of doctors regularly eating one another). One way or another we have the potential to get "screwed" if you'll forgive the pun, by one gender or another.

Under another post, someone pointed out the history of the relationship between MDs and DOs. Here's the catch. There are only two educational levels for physicians and DOs are limited in their scope of practice.

Rex, my belief is that the problem goes beyond image and respect from others. It's about self-worth and internal control. Do you define yourself as a person or nurse by your educational background, or do you define yourself by what your abilities and capabilities are? If you don't define yourself by your education, then do you mind change, even if it affects something near and dear to you? The fear of change is what we have to overcome. I admit I have problems with this also, but as your post is thoughtful, I'm thinking also.

Great responses Tim GNP and Mijourney!I agree 100%!This is what I find so tragic in what I consider the best opportunity in the world to touch millions of people's lives....NURSING!I wish so badly that we could make them all see this.All my career,I have been bashed for being too keen,too popular with patients,too nice to students,too...I make a point to point out the positive qualities to everyone I work with.And what do I get?A size 7-9 shoe on my head.I have been told I am "intimidating".I find this so frustrating when all I want to do is make work fun and our profession enviable!I will perservere.The bottom line here is there will always be nurses with low self esteem who's lives are out of control.Unfortunately,they feel bigger by making others feel small.I feel the only way to address this problem is from the ground up.I've made a promise to my self to "grab"onto every student nurse and new grad and show them all the great things that await them if they let themselves.I also feel exposing,rather than tolerating "bullies" is a move in the right direction.When I get "slighted" I put on a big ass grin and say "Thanks!"Trust me ,it works!Good Luck!Lets work together...remember...it only takes a spark!