Ego vs. service

[ohbet]

Point 1.How much service,caring and unselfishness is involved in nursing vs. ego, power and influence?

Point 2. Has any one read the writings F. Nitzche,who reported that God is Dead and advocated the will to power, and the writings of the sayings J. Christ? ,who never wrote a thing,but is the most influencial human in the history of western civilization,and was crucified for the cause of the kingdom of god and service to ones neighbor?

I read both as pre-requistes for nursing, and these 2 humans relate to my first point regarding sacrifice vs. selfishness

[mark_LD_RN]

most definitely, egos should be left at home if one wants to be a good nurse. It is good to be proud of ones accomplishments , but we do not need to put others down or belittle our coworkers

[micro, RN]

service, giving of self, and teamwork.........

ego has its place........but you cannot nurse in a vacuum.........

[bestblondRN]

I don't think this is a job that can be done well without having a caring spirit and a service orientation toward others. Ego, selfishness and power trips have no place in nursing or in healthcare.

[delirium]

One would think that if you were so well versed in the writings and philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche that you could spell his name correctly.

Ego is a fundamental part of any human's psyche and cannot be separated or left at home when you go to work. How ridiculous. Nurses are not unpaid handmaidens, nor should we act like we do not deserve to be compensated for our work and proud of our accomplishments.

One can have an orientation of service to others while still having an adequate self-concept and self-respect.

The concept of ego is not quite the same as putting other people down or belittling them.

[bestblondRN]

Originally posted by MsPurp

One would think that if you were so well versed in the writings and philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche that you could spell his name correctly.

Ego is a fundamental part of any human's psyche and cannot be separated or left at home when you go to work. How ridiculous. Nurses are not unpaid handmaidens, nor should we act like we do not deserve to be compensated for our work and proud of our accomplishments.

One can have an orientation of service to others while still having an adequate self-concept and self-respect.

The concept of ego is not quite the same as putting other people down or belittling them.

You're right about the context of Nietzsche's definition of ego being the sense of self--it seemed to me that Ohbet was describing the negative connotation of ego, as an over-inflated sense of one's own importance, since it was mentioned in conjunction with power trips and selfishness. Perhaps ohbet should clarify what she meant by the question?!?!?!?!?

[ceecel.dee, MSN, RN]

Without ego, who could have the self-confidence to be a nurse?

Why does a surgeon act like the next best thing to God---who else thinks "I'll willingly cut you open, figure out what's wrong, and fix it!" It takes a healthy ego!

Nurses need ego to deal with surgeons!

[CATHYW]

Folks, I think ego can also be substituted here for "self confidence." It is not egotistitical to be self-confident; but it IS when you are TOO self-confident, and appear to look down on others. Some say that indicates a LACK of self confidence.

All I know is, I felt that I had/have what it takes to be a good nurse, and if I could help some family through the worry that my family went through multiple times with many family members having cardiac problems, I would be more than glad to. Not just cardiac, mind you, but nearly anything. Cardiac and trauma are my first and best loves, though!

[mark_LD_RN]

no it does not take ego to be a nurse or a doctor it takes confidence in ones ability.

[ohbet]

Im not well versed with Nietzche,nor Jesus,only familiar with their ideas,you knew who I meant though.

Im speaking of ego here in the sense of selfishness and selfcenteredness,in the sense of concern for self only,to my rights only,in the sense of power and domination,in the sense of imposing ones will within a social relationship.

[LasVegasRN]

I would be very concerned about working with a nurse who did not have an ego. There is a big difference in ego and super-ego, as some others have pointed out.

[live4today, RN]

According to Webster's Dictionary:

Ego = self =self awareness = self esteem

Egocentric....on the other hand = self-centered...viewing every-

thing in relation to self irregardless of others.

So...to my understanding...it is quite natural...and pefectly so...to

have a HEALTHY ego...it is a form of our "survival" in the world...

if you will. ON THE OTHER HAND...to be "Egocentric" is NOT healthy UNLESS one becomes soooooo overly stressed that one would desperately NEED to "pull back" from everything in order to regroup...think of one's needs which often times entails self-focus...even being self-centered for a time necessary for one to heal....BUT...not to stay in an egocentric state as that WOULD be unhealthy indeed. :kiss