How to change the Nursing's Image ?

Adham Ahmed · Oct 27, 2007

Waiting for more comments ...

Adham Ahmed · Oct 27, 2007

great info here: [color=#848484]center for nursing advocacy

thank you , but i don't find useful subjects related to improvment of nursing image ...

Adham Ahmed · Oct 27, 2007

what part of our image do you think we have to change? nurses are very well respected here in the northeastern united states.

ok, i mean nursing as profession and public image

i ask you if you belif that nursing image as medical proession image ?

i'm sure, not.

let's start with ceasing to portray nursing as something other than the intellectually-challenging, scientifically-based, evidenced-based, research focused, form of health care delivery that it really is. sure, nursing is a caring profession, but i wonder how many good potential nurses we lose because the image of nursing they see is angel's wings, teddy bears, and anatomically incorrect hearts...conversely, how many students are dropped or fail out because they got into nursing based on those things only to discover it's much more challenging?

thank you for your reply.

does it really matter what our image is? it's a question, not a judgement. i don't like the idea of a 'professional image' and all that entails in relation to my job. professional image - in my mind builds up a idea of status seeking. i feel valued and respected for the work i do.
i likes watson's theory of nursing, nursing is about caring, but ... there are many aspects and roles in nursing. in wanting provide appropriate care - i rely on evidence based information.
nurses 'professional image' is an idea worthy of exploring.
i am a nurse because of the value i take from my role, not really based on how others perceive me. although if i was treated badly and not respected - there would be a problem.

thank you for you reply.

1) change the reality of nursing first... improve staffing such that nurses aren't stretched so thin that they can't do more than toss meds at people and run, toss patient education sheets and patients and run, etc.
2a) admit that acute care nurses are in fact participating in medical care (though not diagnosing and writing orders) by assessing and monitoring patients, reporting change in status, suggesting actions and reviewing orders as well as carrying out orders (administering meds, changing dressings, etc).
2b) and embrace medical terminology (as opposed to awkward nursing diagnoses) in regard to medical issues that nurses address
3) admit that acute care nurses are not as involved in "holistic" care as perhaps nurses in some other areas... after all, how holistic can you get if only have the patient for a shift or two before they are discharged or transferred to another unit? i do think nurses should be sensitive to non-medical issues (culture, coping style, etc) in going about their care, but their care priorities are medically-related and if patients have other needs, the acute care nurse needs to refer to social services, chaplain services, etc.

thank you for your reply.

worry about image reminds me of my college alumni association. second tier colleges are obsessed with image, prestige and status. they are always looking for ways to improve image; all too often it is a matter of style over substance. nursing is often compared unfavorably to medicine, and many hunger for a little status to rub off on nurses.
there is no easy fix.

thank you for your reply.

lose press gainey, and stop making us hostesses, and everything jjjoy said!!!!
if patients and their families realized how much of their care, treatments and final outcomes were do to nursing and not their doctors, we'd be seen as we truly are-integral(vital) to a patient's well-being.
maisy;)

thank you for your reply.

for those that say that they do not really care about the image, i know what you are trying to state; however, i care about the image of nursing because i care about nursing.
yes, we are always rated as one of the most trusted professions; however, most people do not know exactly what it is that nurses do, so what are they really trusting? that we can empty a foley? i say get the word out and get involved. i talk to my patients and their family about nursing. i went to career day at my son's school. if asked, "what do you do for a living?", don't just say, "i'm a nurse" and leave it at that. let them know what you do! you would not believe how many people were unaware that we are not just there to do whatever the doctor "orders" us to do. nursing is so much more than just caring and society needs to know that. yes, caring is a big part of nursing, but i can care while still performing a job that requires me to think!
still caring,
jay

thank you for your reply.

how nice it would be to say "ineffective breathing pattern r/t pneumonia" instead of "r/t inability to breath deeply 2o secretions, congestion, and pain upon inspiration."

i think that you have to recognize that the nursing image is not completly good , and many of researchers still consider nursing as semi-profession , so how can improve our occipation status to be a profession ..:balloons:

leslie :-D · Oct 27, 2007

I think that you have to recognize that the nursing image is not completly good , and many of researchers still consider nursing as semi-profession , so how can improve our occipation status to be a profession ..:balloons:

it will always start with oneself.

set your own personal standards.

give your personal/professional best to ea and every one of your pts.

this does not mean we are bionic beings, so prioritize your standards of care.

do not whine.

do not gossip.

do not be petty.

pick your battles.

support your team.

never stoop to another's level.

conduct yourself with grace and confidence.

defer judgment to God.

keep your mind interested and involved.

do your research before affecting change.

if able, reach for that bsn, msn and on, and on.

never stop growing personally and professionally.

do not stagnate.

the day we ascribe these standards to ourself, as we are supposed to for our pts, we will individually and collectively, have attained the level of self-respect and professionalism we so desperately lack.

and it does indeed, start with oneself.

not these external guidelines on steps to implement change.

if we merely followed these parameters, in the absence of mindful reflection, we'd be a bunch of sheep.

and so, it makes sense, to personally evaluate what one can do as an individual, to aspire to one's potential.

moral, ethical and intellectual review, will make us our personal bests, together.

leslie

Adham Ahmed · Oct 27, 2007

it will always start with oneself.
set your own personal standards.
give your personal/professional best to ea and every one of your pts.
this does not mean we are bionic beings, so prioritize your standards of care.
do not whine.
do not gossip.
do not be petty.
pick your battles.
support your team.
never stoop to another's level.
conduct yourself with grace and confidence.
defer judgment to God.
keep your mind interested and involved.
do your research before affecting change.
if able, reach for that bsn, msn and on, and on.
never stop growing personally and professionally.
do not stagnate.
the day we ascribe these standards to ourself, as we are supposed to for our pts, we will individually and collectively, have attained the level of self-respect and professionalism we so desperately lack.
and it does indeed, start with oneself.
not these external guidelines on steps to implement change.
if we merely followed these parameters, in the absence of mindful reflection, we'd be a bunch of sheep.
and so, it makes sense, to personally evaluate what one can do as an individual, to aspire to one's potential.
moral, ethical and intellectual review, will make us our personal bests, together.
leslie

thank you for your reply.