Media Portrayal Of Nurses - page 2
Recently, in the Boston Herald (FEBRUARY 12 ISSUE), there was a short news clip about WHDH reporter Sara Edwards who, along with a small group of other reporters was selected to appear on a... Read More
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Feb 14, '03Always a good way to find out public opinion.Originally posted by mghtraumarn
I am not interested in who the neutral people are.
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Feb 14, '03Yeah, looks like someone copied it to the different forums, replies and all. I thought just a few weeks ago a mod said that was silly and closed the duplicates.Originally posted by kittyw
Why are there four copies of this thread?
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Feb 14, '03Thanks again for your wise input, Heather. It's nice to see that you take such a hearty interest in what others have to say, especially when you take the time to quote everyone. Makes us feel special. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! :kissLast edit by mghtraumarn on Feb 14, '03
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Feb 14, '03YEAH, I always wanted to know just how many people have trouble making up their minds... YES...or NO.... hmmm, that's a very difficult decision to make. :rollOriginally posted by OBNURSEHEATHER
Always a good way to find out public opinion. Last edit by mghtraumarn on Feb 14, '03 -
Feb 14, '03There are 4 copies of this thread because I was trying to add it into other discussion threads to increase input and participation.Originally posted by kittyw
Why are there four copies of this thread?
It may be silly to some, and interesting to others. Its all a matter of opinion, and we all know the old saying about opinions.
"opinions are like asses, we all have one and they usually stink..."
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Feb 15, '03Getting Noticed
Nurses jump into the media spotlight
By Jane Erwin
January 11, 1999
Nurses know they are experts in all areas of health science--patient care, public health, policy, and research. But has this message reached the public?
Probably not, say nursing experts.
To address this issue, nursing leaders and healthcare journalists from across the country recently met to discuss media coverage of healthcare issues--and how nursing can receive more media attention. The one-day conference in Washington, called "Cutting Through the Clutter: Increasing Media Coverage of Nurses and Nursing Research," was sponsored by Sigma Theta Tau, the National Institute of Nursing Research, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE).
Getting quoted
Nurses are quoted less often in the media than physicians and even psychologists, said Carol J. Boyd, PhD, RN, associate professor of nursing and women's studies at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. "It's not because reporters don't want to use nurses or think nurses aren't knowledgeable, but it's more a matter of everybody's image of nurses and their relative ranking in the public's mind," Boyd said.
"If a reporter is going to ask about a health concern, he or she will usually ask a physician," Boyd said. "But nurses certainly are well trained and qualified to discuss health promotion, prevention, wellness, or illness."
Pamela Lewis, news service manager for the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, responsible for its School of Nursing, agreed. "Historically, doctors always have been seen as the authority. Some people still see nurses as support staff and not as experts who can make a diagnosis or who do research."
Fortunately, that perception is changing as nurses realize how important the media is to their profession and to public health, and take steps to reach out to reporters.
"Nurses have long operated on the belief it is a struggle to get attention, but we have found when healthcare reporters understand what nursing research is, they are interested in covering it," said Susan Greenbaum, associate director of media relations for the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
Conveying the message
"Nurses have to make themselves available," Boyd said. "It's a question of visibility and gender socialization. Most nurses are women, and we have to be socialized to be willing to put ourselves in the spotlight."
Nursing has a rich message to convey, said Marjorie Beyers, PhD, RN, FAAN, executive director of the AONE. She suggested several ways for healthcare professionals to get into the media spotlight:
Become active in a professional association--reporters tend to call associations for sources.
Learn what it takes to get your message across; participate in media training.
Make the first move or first call--reporters are willing to listen and get to know you.
Be sure you're up-to-date on healthcare issues in the news. You'll be prepared to respond to a question if the media should call.
"Creating an aura of expertise doesn't happen overnight," Greenbaum said, but there are things healthcare professionals can do to help. For example, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, as well as many other universities and hospitals, regularly distributes an experts list, identifying people with their credentials and describing the kinds of topics they can speak on.
Pick up the phone
One of the best opportunities for nurses to express themselves is through opinion pieces and letters to the editor, which allow the writer to control the message. Greenbaum suggested regularly reading these kinds of newspaper pieces to learn how to write one.
"We also have found the public is thirsty for healthcare knowledge and relies heavily on newspapers and television news," she said. "It's simple to pick up the phone and call a reporter and suggest a story. If you see an interesting story that has something to do with what you do, let a reporter know. They have a lot of space and time to fill."
Lewis advised studying media outlets and targeting them in a broad perspective. "When you see a health story, let the reporter know a nurse practitioner could address this issue or that nurses are trained in [that] area. Let reporters know your institution is the only one locally with a certain type of program." The next time they need a medical source, they just might call on a nurse.
In addition to contacting reporters, hospital-based nurses can take story ideas to the hospital's marketing or public relations staff. Story ideas can include innovative programs, community outreach programs, new care techniques, and awards.
It also helps to be persistent. "Every day I have a suggestion that's shot down," Greenbaum said. "It doesn't mean it's a bad idea, and it doesn't keep me from presenting that idea elsewhere or keep me from going back to that reporter with another idea the next week."
The effort to get media attention is paying off, Boyd believes. "I think we've already got public attention," she said. "Reporters are starting to come to us and that's when it can be tough to stay abreast of issues and to respond in a timely fashion. But it's better than not being asked to play."
http://www.nurseweek.com/features/99-1/media.html -
Feb 15, '03http://www.nurseweek.com/news/features/02-06/image.asp
http://www.nsna.org/pubs/news/janfeb99/concern.html
I havbe posted a few links as well as researched sites that deal with this issue. You may find them interesting.
Here is one in particular that I think is pretty cool.
http://www.nursesstories.com/pages/740119/index.htm
an excerpt: What's Your Story?
Nurses have a powerful story to tell.
This book project is about those stories.
Its purpose is to capture the essence and the spirit of the nurse and the nurse's experience as a healer and care giver.
The resulting collection of stories is an opportunity to share with the world the real image of nurses, one that goes beyond the media stereotype and the public's (mis)perception.
Nurses' stories are about the connectedness of human beings and the triumph of spirit.
They are about the emergence of the sacred in everyday encounters.
Nurses develop unique healing relationships with their patients, family members and students.
This connection can have a profound influence on both parties and its influence often spills over into other aspects of their lives: many times changing it.
It is the intention of this book project / website is to capture these stories through firsthand experiences and to share their healing impact and inspiration. -
Feb 15, '03I remember talking about nurse stereotyoes 29 years ago in nursing school. Funny how some things just never change, eh?
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Feb 15, '03Originally posted by mghtraumarn
It's nice to see that you take such a hearty interest in what others have to say, especially when you take the time to quote everyone. Makes us feel special.
I see quoting everyone is a trait you've picked up on.
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Feb 15, '03HUGS TO YOU HEATHER, YOU TRULY ARE THE BEST... Good luck to you in your practice. And thanks again for taking such a hearty and heartfelt interest in this topic and what we all have to say about it. :kiss
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Feb 18, '03WELL, I FINALLY GOT THE NEWS REPORTER TO APOLOGIZE FOR HER RIDICULOUS COMMENTS!
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Thank you for your comment. I just wanted to make sure you are aware of Sara Edward's apology in the Friday, February 14 issue of the Boston Herald's "Inside Track." I was as follows:
"I just want to assure any nurses who took issue with my comments that I absolutely meant no disrespect to the worthy and critical profession of nursing. I was just trying to make a joke about my own appearance and my experience on 'E.R.' I am truly sorry if anyone felt insulted in any way." ~ 7NEWS Entertainment Reporter, Sara Edwards.
Again, thank you for your e:mail.
Ro Dooley Webster
Director of Public Relations
7NBC (WHDH-TV):roll
:chuckle
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Feb 18, '03Have any of you seen the movie "Wit"? There is a powerful scene at the end involving a nurse protecting her dying pt from the crazy docs. I highly reccommend that movie just because it's a great movie but the RN role was great.
