Hello nurses and students! Here's the question; you've all seen the commercial by Johnson & Johnson, those smiling, yet serious, faces proclaiming BE A NURSE! This is supposed to promote the career of nursing. They are even showing male nurses in an attempt to promote this career choice among our male populous (good for them!). Who is really benefitting from this add? It's obviously being aired because of the hype of a "nursing shortage" in our country, but what affect is this add having on the nursing profession? What is this commercials real purpose? I believe this commercial is helping create a glut of new nurses (as evidenced by the 2-3 year wait at most nursing programs, and the "cooling" of hiring new nurses in many locations). This will result in a cheaper labor force for hospitals to choose from in my opinion - "the dime a dozen theory". What do you think? Here is my suggestion or "strategy". Many hospitals are now hiring non RNs to do RN type tasks and skills. They give these people fancy little technical titles and pay them less. This results in fewer RNs being hired. Why not have a commercial where some sick or elderly person, or a concerned family member looks seriously into the camera and states: I WANT AN RN!!This would help reinforce the legitimacy, professionalism, and technical expertise that has been associated with the RN designation, and create a demand among our population that they expect to be treated by an RN, not some "Walmartish" "technical associate" who is willing to work for peanuts. Honestly, this commercial scares me a little because all it is designed to do is flood the market with new nurses, and this will lower pay scales and weaken the "bargaining power" (what little there is) that RNs have. What do you think? Snoopd
P.S., this commercial is by Johnson & Johnson, who supply many hospitals with products (see any connection)? Why doesn't the ANA shell out some of its own money and run a commercial like "I WANT AN RN" that would actually strenghten the RN profession?
Medical Devices & Diagnostics - According to J&J, its Medical Devices & Diagnostics segment is the leading medical device business in the world. The segment encompasses suture and mechanical wound closure products, surgical equipment and devices, wound management and infection prevention products, interventional and diagnostic cardiology products, diagnostic equipment and supplies, joint replacements and disposable contact lenses.
Pharmaceutical segment - The principal worldwide franchises in J&J's Pharmaceutical segment focus on anti-infective, antifungal, cardiovascular, contraceptive, dermatology, gastrointestinal, haemotology, pain management, psychotropic, urology, neurology, immunology and oncology pharmaceuticals.
Consumer segment - The principal products in the Consumer segment are personal care and hygiene products, including oral and baby care products, first aid products, non-prescription drugs, sanitary protection products and skin and hair care products.
What I would like to see is Oprah do a segment on this topic, of nurse recruitment, retention, working conditions, etc. Have some patient care providers up there along with the execs. Talk about the effect it is having and will continue to have on the public welfare.
What I would like to see is Oprah do a segment on this topic, of nurse recruitment, retention, working conditions, etc. Have some patient care providers up there along with the execs. Talk about the effect it is having and will continue to have on the public welfare.
She's done shows about unsafe medical practices, mistakes, etc., and the only thing related to nursing that i've heard her mention was the staffing ratios, and went on about some stories about nurses that were involved in the medical mistakes.
I agree, a whole show would be a good idea, considering the success of the show and how it's influenced people in general.
(I'll send an email suggestion at the show website.)
I feel that the J&J ad represents nursing in a false light. I just want to barf when one nurses in the ad says "I can't have a bad day!" and smiles.
I wrote to J&J when the ad first came out, telling them I thought the commercial was inrealistic, and that they would do better to educate the public on what nurses really do, and what our responsiblities are. I also told them that I believe working conditions for nurses need to change, or all the new nurses they are recruiting will be trying to get out of nursing just as so many new grads are today. In response, I got a letter back from J&J saying "we understand your concerns...our ad misrepresenting nursing.... about nurses' working conditions and that you feel retention of nurses should take prority over recruitment ..."
Well, I know two other nurses who wrote and got the exact same response letter!
Obviously, J&J must get a lot of letters from nurses telling them they need to address working conditions and retention issues, and that their ad is not realistic. I mean, they had a form letter all ready to send off to every nurses who brings up these issues about the ads.
I have not seen the commerical. My bf saw it and he emailed me about it as soon as he saw it. He thought it was a great commerial and told me to look at their website Discover Nursing...which is pretty interesting!
:rolleyes: 
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Snoopd
27 Posts
Thanks for the info. snoopd