Does this make me really horrible?

[vandiola]

One of the girls in my cohort wants to work in a developing country as a nurse. She mentioned she would like to work in MSF (Doctors without Borders), but she can't as she's not a doctor. I informed her they happily take nurses too, and she asked me what I thought of them. I totally respect what they do, but I dislike their title. More than 50% of their international work is carried out by nurses, but a lot of people assume only doctors work for them, even in adverts shown in this country it makes it come off as doctors are their only healthcare providers. I guess it just frustrates me that the other healthcare workers in their charity don't get the credit. Anyway, the way she looked at me made me feel like I was proper horrible cow.

[OCNRN63, RN]

To me, "Medecins Sans Frontiers" encompasses all health care providers. What would you have it be called? "Medecins, et Physiotherapeutes, et Pharmacies, et Infirmiers, et cetera"? (I know there are some missing accent marks...I can't get them to work here.)

I think you're being beyond picky, esp. since these people go into some dangerous areas to provide health care.

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

I can see what you are saying. Even I didn't realize it was more than 50% "other" than docs. They should let on about that.

[Dranger]

We had a handful of nurses who yearned for working in a developing country post-graduation. Of course most of them forgot what bills were or that reality's cold embrace would hit them 6 months later.

They are all working in local hospitals now. I don't condemn working for charitable organizations but whenever I precept students and hear about their grand plans after school it makes the pragmatist in my head spin.

No you don't have 4 stomachs so I can't classify you as a cow.

[SassyRN_972]

I think it's something to be a little too sensitive about. I mean, what does everyone want? Physical therapists without borders? Dieticians without borders? It needs an umbrella term because it encompasses many disciplines. Besides, why get butthurt about a charity's name? They do great work and I've always admired them.

[nursel56]

I mean disliking a charity because of their name.

One of the girls in my cohort wants to work in a developing country as a nurse. She mentioned she would like to work in MSF (Doctors without Borders), but she can't as she's not a doctor. I informed her they happily take nurses too, and she asked me what I thought of them. I totally respect what they do, but I dislike their title. More than 50% of their international work is carried out by nurses, but a lot of people assume only doctors work for them, even in adverts shown in this country it makes it come off as doctors are their only healthcare providers. I guess it just frustrates me that the other healthcare workers in their charity don't get the credit. Anyway, the way she looked at me made me feel like I was proper horrible cow.

No you're not horrible for feeling that way. Now we have nurses and students in at least two countries who find it objectionable, at least I'm assuming you are in the UK due to the term "adverts".

I wish I could say it is only nursing students who play the self-righteous card. Your best plan is to ignore them, for they are legion.

[suanna]

I'm OK with the name the way it is. I don't want it spread around that Nurses are willing to work for no pay, in terrible working conditions, with little or no equipment. That may become the policy for hospitals in the future.