Frustrated with the image of nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm getting really tired of the lack of respect I receive as a nurse. I would like to tell you about a recent example of something that infuriated me. I attended a Fantasia party (a home party for "sensual" items) at a friend's house a couple of nights ago. At one point, I left the room to use the washroom. Upon my return, the salesperson was showing off a "naughty nurse" outfit. The other guests of the party all enthusiastically agreed that I needed to buy that one. I like to think that I'm a pretty fun, open minded, easy going person, but this ticked me off! :angryfire I replied that I had no interest in such an outfit and as a professional nurse, I found it to be offensive. The conversation ended abruptly and the salesperson moved on to the "sexy maid" outfit. :icon_roll I think part of the reason that this upset me so much was that all of the other guests (including my friend who was the host) were female lawyers (traditionally a male profession). I have always got the feeling that my lawyer friend does not respect what I do. I get the impression that to her a nurse is someone who couldn't cut it in med school. Honestly, I haven't got all of my feelings on this subject worked out in my mind yet, but I do know that I have dedicated years of my life to getting where I am today. I completed a 3 year diploma nursing program 8 years ago. I did a 4 month critical care certificate program 5 years ago and most recently, I completed my BScN (I graduate tomorrow!). I have worked in a neuro/trauma ICU for 5 years. It is challenging work and I love it. Not just anyone can do it....I'm quite certain that my lawyer friend could not. I just want to scream that nurses are intelligent and play a huge part in our health care system. We are not hand maidens of the doctors and most importantly we're not doctor wannabes! Nursing and medicine are different professions and should be equally respected. I chose to be a nurse not because I couldn't get into med school, but because it was the right profession for me!!! However, I'm getting so frustrated with being looked down upon by society that I'm considering leaving the profession for one that garners more respect. This makes me very sad. Does anyone else feel this way?

Specializes in critical care transport.
It makes perfect sense. And i'd personally like to thank those that attempt to get ahead in life using their "assets" instead of their minds.:angryfire

Yeah, my favorite comment about MY comments is hearing, "you must be insecure."

My God, is matters of self-respect and human dignity mean "insecurity?"

I'm not a puritan, but what the heck is wrong with not welcoming the actions of a fellow woman that makes "the rest of us" look bad. As if T & A are the only real things we offer to the world.

Okay, I need to chill...I feel a sermon comming on.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

"Female Chauvinist Pigs : Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture" by Ariel Levy is an excellent book about the objectification subject matter though.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Yeah, my favorite comment about MY comments is hearing, "you must be insecure."

My God, is matters of self-respect and human dignity mean "insecurity?"

I'm not a puritan, but what the heck is wrong with not welcoming the actions of a fellow woman that makes "the rest of us" look bad. As if T & A are the only real things we offer to the world.

Okay, I need to chill...I feel a sermon comming on.

Preach on lol

Or my personal favorite i get in reply is "Lighten up" when i take issue to degradement and objectification of women and/or nurses (have gotten that several times on this board alone.)

I guess after almost 30 years of existance on this planet, and noticing this objectifying crap getting worse, i guess i'm just flat out tired of it. I don't know what i get more annoyed at, the ones that flash it all out there for everyone to see, or the one that after doing that, whine later about how they aren't taken seriously, or looked at for their brains.

I'm definitely not insecure, i learned a long time ago that this is what i was born with, if people don't like it, it's their problem, not mine. But i also learned it doesn't take flashing T and A to make your mark in life, either.

I'm not a puritan either, but there's a lot to be said about leaving something for the imagination, yo.

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Specializes in critical care transport.
"Female Chauvinist Pigs : Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture" by Ariel Levy is an excellent book about the objectification subject matter though.

I'll check into it- I love reading a good book. This Summer I have some time.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

She started writing that book after a few of her female friends invited her to go out to a strip joint that had female dancers. Said that something about that just disturbed her.

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Specializes in critical care transport.

You know, I think women go with their men to try to "prove they aren't insecure." I knew a gal that did that. Now, maybe her door swings both ways, but even if it did, why would you "feed" something like that? My brother dated a STRIPPER like 10 years ago. He said the concept lost it's luster after learning all the behavior/psychological BS that runs in that crowd, and how truly damaged the women are and the men are that try to "save" them.

Sore spot with me, but it becomes inflammed when the "insecurity" issue comes up... The older I get, the more I realize how degrading it is to people.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Preach on lol

I guess after almost 30 years of existance on this planet, and noticing this objectifying crap getting worse, i guess i'm just flat out tired of it. I don't know what i get more annoyed at, the ones that flash it all out there for everyone to see, or the one that after doing that, whine later about how they aren't taken seriously, or looked at for their brains.

You are singing my song! Lately I've been feeling like a little old lady; I have to remind myself that I'm only 32. I'm just so disgusted by all the raunchy socialization that seems to have become the norm.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
I think women go with their men to try to "prove they aren't insecure." I knew a gal that did that.

I've known women that did that because they were afraid what went on when they weren't watching.

Either way, i just won't compromise myself like that. Dad would pass out, and Grandma would turn over in her grave.

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Its not just nurses that are disrespected. School teachers are also the object of many a sex scenerio, as are even nuns. All of that can be expected at one of those parties. Pretty much anyone can be a target of sexual obsession or abuse in todays Media filled world.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
You are singing my song! Lately I've been feeling like a little old lady; I have to remind myself that I'm only 32. I'm just so disgusted by all the raunchy socialization that seems to have become the norm.

Kinda reminds me of that one "dating" show that was on MTV (you know, the station that used to feature nothing BUT music years ago). I forget what it was called, oh wait, "Room Raiders", where the person went to each of the 3 contestants houses and snooped through their rooms, going through the underwear drawer and uh inspected the underwear:uhoh3: , and, here's the beauty, held a black light over the bed sheets. Uh, eeeeeeew.

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Specializes in critical care transport.
You are singing my song! Lately I've been feeling like a little old lady; I have to remind myself that I'm only 32. I'm just so disgusted by all the raunchy socialization that seems to have become the norm.

Yeah, raunch culture helps, doesn't it?

BTW, I've been reading the reviews for the book you recommended Marie- I'm going to get it. I've been thinking, even prior to this, of starting a website to help "get the message out." Not a man-hate thing AT ALL- but a "hey women, respect yourselves" type of thing.

Wouldn't it be neat if women respected other women? If they did, how many would end up being a mistress or something? Just a thought that pops up...

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Specializes in critical care transport.
Kinda reminds me of that one "dating" show that was on MTV (you know, the station that used to feature nothing BUT music years ago). I forget what it was called, oh wait, "Room Raiders", where the person went to each of the 3 contestants houses and snooped through their rooms, going through the underwear drawer and uh inspected the underwear:uhoh3: , and, here's the beauty, held a black light over the bed sheets. Uh, eeeeeeew.

Yuck.

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