Jay Leno slams nurses!

Nurses General Nursing

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I *just* watched Jay Leno make a really rude comment about nurses- it went something to the effect of... " you know nurses are the most overworked profession in America... especially in those adult movies" GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Nurses are not Bimbos, Mr. Leno!!!!!! :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire :nurse: :nurse: :nurse: :flamesonb :flamesonb

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

No, i wouldn't say that my morality is involved in it, can't really elaborate on it that w/o going TMI.

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I think the nursing industry will always be linked to the adult industry. It will take several generations to clear that one up. Whoever came up with it sure made it stick.

As someone else said every profession has their share of jokes. We americans make fun of every career even the President. I honestly think it's a joke and it doesn't bother me the list bit. Women cops have been linked to the Media industry as well and they get more sexually harassed than nurses about it IMHO.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I don't think the point is that nurses can't take a ribbing.

The point is that, in ribbing nurses, Leno plays on an inaccurate stereotype.

It's not the joke itself, but the insight into what that joke says about the media representation of nurses.

Y'all are all low cut dressed bimbos (even though I'm a nurse, I'm a guy - so I guess that means I get a free pass, there. -- oh wait! I must be gay, I forgot.)

~faith,

Timothy.

I agree here.

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Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.

Stereotypes are formed for a reason. We don't need to look any further back than the time of Florence Nightengale to realize just how low on the social ladder nurses were considered. I think it helps to know where some of this stuff comes from. Our predecessors were often basically retired prostitutes. It makes sense that is where we would evolve from if you think of the influence of religion and culture on nursing through the years. Who else to become intimate with the human body in a caring way, but the old prostitute? Certainly not a job for the upstanding woman of the day! The good old days often were not to good, after all. We have come a long way, baby. ;)

http://www.victorianweb.org/history/crimea/florrie.html

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What do you expect when that's the only media image of nurses you see? Have you ever seen ER? The real work is done by doctors - nurses just stand in the wings and wait for when one of the stars need a girlfriend.

~faith,

Timothy.

When did you last watch ER? I think they do a pretty decent job of portraying nurses. Halleh and Chuny (please, forgive the spelling if it's wrong) have been around since the beginning and neither of them hesitates to 'splain things to any doc, resident, or med student whose inflated ego or monumental ignorance puts patients in harms way. Sam might have emotional wrestling matches with Luka, but she absolutely knows her stuff and challenges things she thinks are wrong. Now there's a new nurse played by Kristen Johnson (Third Rock) who has already in the first couple of episodes eviscerated everybody on an equal opportunity basis. She comes up with amazing, cutting edge techniques that leave both the docs and the other nurses speechless. Even back in the old days, Carol Hathaway was a strong, capable woman.

ER's representation isn't perfect, but it's better than anything else I can think of. If anyone should complain about their portrayal, it should probably be the docs who often come off as arrogant (Pratt), self-centered (Ray), and ridiculous (Morris). Or brooding (Luka), indecisive (Neela), and relentlessly efficient (Weaver). Then there was good ol' whats-his-name who got eaten by a chopper.

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I wasn't that offended by it. It was a part of his monolog ... a context in which he pokes fun at everything. "The Tonight Show" monolog has been a national tradition for over 30 years .... first with Steve Allen, then Jack Parr, then Johnny Carson, now Jay Leno. The monolog pokes fun at national institutions, public figures, etc. -- everybody gets a little teasing equally -- especially the high and mighty.

If we nurses can't take a little gentle ribbing from such a respected and traditional source, then we have a problem. We need to handle such things with grace, dignity, and good humor. Everybody knew it was a joke: there is no chance that anyone in his right mind took it seriously. We need to not take it too seriously, either.

One sign of self-assurance is the ability to make fun of yourself now and then. If we lose that, we will truly make ourselves look silly.

We need to pick our battles carefully.

llg

I totally agree with you.

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I just wanted to add that "House" is the same way as ER - There are NEVER any nurses on that show that actually seem to be doing anything important. My husband will not let me watch the show because I am so vocal about protesting that there are no nurses on that show. I mean, The doctors on house's team draw their own blood, run all their own labs, do most of the surgeries.......

I like House, but the fact that there are no nurses on the show drives me UP THE WALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:angryfire :angryfire

I adore House--- it is my favorite television show ever. But I would like to see some nurses, too.

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I wasn't that offended by it. It was a part of his monolog ... a context in which he pokes fun at everything. "The Tonight Show" monolog has been a national tradition for over 30 years .... first with Steve Allen, then Jack Parr, then Johnny Carson, now Jay Leno. The monolog pokes fun at national institutions, public figures, etc. -- everybody gets a little teasing equally -- especially the high and mighty.

If we nurses can't take a little gentle ribbing from such a respected and traditional source, then we have a problem. We need to handle such things with grace, dignity, and good humor. Everybody knew it was a joke: there is no chance that anyone in his right mind took it seriously. We need to not take it too seriously, either.

One sign of self-assurance is the ability to make fun of yourself now and then. If we lose that, we will truly make ourselves look silly.

We need to pick our battles carefully.

llg

Your post is as far as I've gotten on this thread and I have to respond to it. Thank you. I completely agree.

I also think Tim made some good points about how we each individually act at work.

Now, off to read the other responses . . . .:)

steph

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When did you last watch ER? I think they do a pretty decent job of portraying nurses. Halleh and Chuny (please, forgive the spelling if it's wrong) have been around since the beginning and neither of them hesitates to 'splain things to any doc, resident, or med student whose inflated ego or monumental ignorance puts patients in harms way. Sam might have emotional wrestling matches with Luka, but she absolutely knows her stuff and challenges things she thinks are wrong. Now there's a new nurse played by Kristen Johnson (Third Rock) who has already in the first couple of episodes eviscerated everybody on an equal opportunity basis. She comes up with amazing, cutting edge techniques that leave both the docs and the other nurses speechless. Even back in the old days, Carol Hathaway was a strong, capable woman.

ER's representation isn't perfect, but it's better than anything else I can think of. If anyone should complain about their portrayal, it should probably be the docs who often come off as arrogant (Pratt), self-centered (Ray), and ridiculous (Morris). Or brooding (Luka), indecisive (Neela), and relentlessly efficient (Weaver). Then there was good ol' whats-his-name who got eaten by a chopper.

That is what I was thinking - I am a fan of ER and agree that the nurses are anything but timid mouses.

And you are oh so right about the portrayal of docs . . . .

I like Jay Leno - he is a regular guy, down to earth and not too big for his britches. I do not like David Letterman because he seems like an elitist snob to me. Even though it was nice to thank his docs and nurses.

All comedians make fun of folks.

And sadly, guess what? Jay is right about Media movies and "actors" portraying nurses . . . . or soap operas and "actors" portraying nurses.

steph

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It was a joke............everybody take a deep breath and enjoy a laugh at our chosen profession. I once heard a quote (I only wish I knew who said it so I can give credit where credit is due) that said, "The only person that can make you feel inferior, is you." Growing up in an emergency room (my mother is a retired nurse), we had a wonderful nurse who was a gifted artist, and constantly kept everyone amused with his cartoons. He "attacked" everyone from nurses, to doctors, to techs, and even Santa Claus. Humor is the best medicine, and if you can't laugh at yourself, then who can you laugh at?:beer: :lol_hitti

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

"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent"--Eleanor Roosevelt.

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

Either way, if i actually found it funny, i would laugh, but really, to me, it's not.

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