J&J co nursing promo- WTF???

Q. · Jan 23, 2003

Originally posted by Stargazer
Susy will remember an ad campaign from, I think, the mid-'80s or early '90s: nurses running down the hall with a gurney in slow-motion and gradually going out of focus as a female voiceover said, "I studied anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology and pharmacology." Another voice said, "If caring was all it took, anybody could be a nurse."

Yep, I remember it. I also remember the flack that ad campaign took as a result of minimizing the caring aspect of nursing. :rolleyes: I did indeed like that message a lot, but I think there will always be disagreements about what "is" nursing.

Even in the hospital where my FIL was, there were posters on the various units, showing a nurse in scrubs, looking slightly weary, asking "Do YOU have what it takes? Join those who dare to care." Interesting, hey? Kind of like a blend b/t that 80's campaign and J&J's.

I agree J&J's spot could use a little work, but overall I think it portrays nursing in at least a positive and professional light. Right now I guess I'm pathetically grateful as long as something doesn't portray nurses simply following doctor's orders.

RN-PA, RN · Jan 23, 2003

Originally posted by Stargazer
Susy will remember an ad campaign from, I think, the mid-'80s or early '90s: nurses running down the hall with a gurney in slow-motion and gradually going out of focus as a female voiceover said, "I studied anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology and pharmacology." Another voice said, "If caring was all it took, anybody could be a nurse." Cut to a text screeen showing an 800 number to call for more info, as The Voiceover Guy said, "Do YOU have what it takes?" I still remember being blown away by that ad the first time I saw it, and loving the way it specifically seemed to target smart, driven people.

Stargazer, that ad was one of the things that influenced me to consider nursing when I was investigating changing careers. I wish they'd run it again.

l.rae · Jan 23, 2003

well, l just e-mailed this entire thread to J&J....maybe time to resurect Sleepyeyes' old thread about nursing commercials...anybody got a link?

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2003

Great idea, I.rae.

I hope the big cheeses at J&J read the thread!

New CCU RN · Jan 23, 2003

that would be awesome....

although i didnt think the j&j commercials were that bad...the one mentioned from the 80-90s is much much better

dianthe1013 · Jan 23, 2003

You know what's really scary? I've seen an accurate portrayal of the nursing profession on TV - it was a rerun of "That 70s Show," believe it or not...

The main character's mother, Kitty, is a nurse. The main kid, Eric, is in high school and has to join one of his parents at work for "Career Day." So he goes to the hospital, and he watches as his mom deals with horrible illnesses, pompous doctors who nearly send patients into anaphylactic shock, and death. She remains professional and cheerful throughout it all, even when one of her favorite patients dies.

So, on the way home, she's got the radio cranked up and is singing along at the top of her lungs. He asks her how she deals with all of that crap, day in and day out. You can tell that, if she stops singing to answer, she'll cry. So she keeps singing.

Amen, dude. That was the truest moment of TV I've seen in a looooong time. :)

That said, the J&J ads are ads. ::shrugs:: I personally don't want anyone who puts all his or her faith in the advertising industry in my graduating class, anyway... What a scary thought. I'm sure that person would have to drop out soon, anyway, seeing as how they'd probably spend all their money on stuff from late-night infomercials.

Donna :)

RNforLongTime · Jan 23, 2003

Originally posted by Susy K
I must be the minority but I actually liked J&J's nursing promo. But let's be realistic here. Do you honestly think if they are trying to recruit nurses, that J&J or any sponsor is going to portray nurses working overtime, getting yelled at, etc? Like that would do anything to increase recruitment. So I guess I didn't take offense to a nurse saying "I can't have a bad day." I took it to mean that regardless of what happens, she influenced or touched someone's life.

As with any other recruitment, like for the Armed Forces, do you see them showing soldiers getting maimed in the line of fire? No. They show the positive aspects of the job. Therefore I don't think J&J is that out of line.

I agree with Susy! I liked the ads! Anything that anyone does to attempt to promote nursing is, in my opinion, a good thing! I've ordered some posters and some other promotional material from them, free of charge, for my institution.

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 23, 2003

I still say the answer lies NOT in promoting nursing in fuzzy-pink ads on TV but in RETAINING the TALENT, EXPERIENCE and ABILITY we ALREADY HAVE IN THE WORK FORCE TODAY. What's wrong with that? Yes, we need new and young people to enter the ranks, but when did we ever stop to consider the pool of experience we ALREADY have? Why does no one ever stop to consider THAT? I still say they are missing the mark here. And NO I am not jaded, but realistic. Not a TV-head, but a reader. TV was NOT what brought me to nursing (it was REAL nurses I saw in action). And I suspect some of the ones we wish to retain (or recruit) may be like me?

If ya want to recruit young ones, you need to do more than TV. We can get out there and promote nursing ourselves by talking to kids at school, in scout troops, etc(this, I have done personally). There are OTHER ways and we CAN KEEP IT REAL, can't WE??? I am not flaming anyone here, but stating strongly what I feel is right. If THAT is flaming, so sorry. :rolleyes:

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 23, 2003

Originally posted by dianthe1013
You know what's really scary? I've seen an accurate portrayal of the nursing profession on TV - it was a rerun of "That 70s Show," believe it or not...

The main character's mother, Kitty, is a nurse. The main kid, Eric, is in high school and has to join one of his parents at work for "Career Day." So he goes to the hospital, and he watches as his mom deals with horrible illnesses, pompous doctors who nearly send patients into anaphylactic shock, and death. She remains professional and cheerful throughout it all, even when one of her favorite patients dies.

So, on the way home, she's got the radio cranked up and is singing along at the top of her lungs. He asks her how she deals with all of that crap, day in and day out. You can tell that, if she stops singing to answer, she'll cry. So she keeps singing.

Amen, dude. That was the truest moment of TV I've seen in a looooong time. :)

That said, the J&J ads are ads. ::shrugs:: I personally don't want anyone who puts all his or her faith in the advertising industry in my graduating class, anyway... What a scary thought. I'm sure that person would have to drop out soon, anyway, seeing as how they'd probably spend all their money on stuff from late-night infomercials.

Donna :)

AMEN!!!! You say it better than I do. You are right; that was one RARE real portrayal of nursing on TV. One I missed. But your point is well-taken by me.

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2003

L.rae., thanks for e-mailing the thread to J&J... if you get a response let us know!

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 23, 2003

Good idea, l.rae. And Nikki, If I upset you in my STRONG words, I am sorry. I surely do not want to flame you personally or make you feel badly. I apologize if I have offended you. *shakes hands*

mattsmom81 · Jan 23, 2003

I believe portraying nursing in the light that JJ is doing will just result in the same old thing...nurses fleeing the profession and refusing to work in the poor conditions they will often find in when 'real world' hits them square in the face.

This country is full of nurses who no longer wish to work as nurses due to conditions...THAT is why there is a 'shortage' but nobody wants to address that....

I wrote my letter and hope ya'll did too. :)