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 television episode of ER as an extra. In this story, she expressed her dismay at not being chosen to portray a physician, but instead an RN.
``Ugh, I look like I should be scrubbing floors in that smock,'' said Channel 7's glam gal who, along with a handful of TV reporters, was invited to be an extra on the hit NBC medi-drama. ``I was so jealous that some reporters got to be doctors, the one from L.A. got to be a victim with blood all over her face, and I look like I should be cleaning toilets.'' However, Sara did get to wear a stethoscope. But when she went to check Ming-Na, who plays Dr. Jing-Mei Chen, the "ER" doc had to give her an anatomy lesson!
And if that didn't make Sara feel silly enough, director Charles Haid (he was cop Andy Renko on "Hill Street Blues") had to yell "cut" during Sara's scene at the nurses' station when the RN-for-a- day tripped over a wheelchair! "I was so embarrassed," she said. But off-camera, the 7News gal got to use "the paddles" on Noah Wyle (Dr. John Carter) and told the cute, yet confused, Croatian, Dr. Luka Kovac (Goren Visnjic) he needed to have another affair with a nurse.
Anyhow, I sent a little note to WHDH regarding her disparaging comments about nurses and got this reply:
Dear Lisa
Thank you for your comments regarding Sara Edwards' remarks in the February 12 Boston Herald's Inside Track. Please be assured that absolutely no disrespect was intended to the worthy and critical profession of nursing. Sara was visiting the set of a television program surrounded by actors and actresses; she was not in a real setting observing real medical professionals. Sara was simply making a joke about that contrast and was not referring to a real life situation of any kind. We apologize for any insult you perceive, but no such thing was intended. Again, thank you for your correspondence.
Ro Dooley Webster
Director of Public Relations
7NBC (WHDH-TV)
I FEEL THAT AS A PROFESSIONAL, I AM OBLIGATED TO PRESERVE THE DIGNITY OF MY ROLE AS A CAREGIVER AS WELL AS AN EDUCATED PERSON. THE NURSING PROFESSION HAS TAKEN TOO MANY "KNOCKS" OVER THE DECADES. WE NEED TO SET THE PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS STRAIGHT, AND THAT BEGINS WITH THE MEDIA.
If you have any feedback that you would like to send, please forward an email with your thoughts to: [email protected]
I am sure that "Ro" will appreciate your thoughts...
While I agree with this, it still does not make it right. For police and firefighters, lawyers, etc., their work is very public - you can see exactly what they do. For nurses, however, you generally only see our work if you are sick and/or in need of care, at which time you do not appreciate the amount of work and effort that is expended on your behalf. This is why it is so important and vital for the media to portray nurses in a true light. This point was driven home to me today by my patient who stated that "wow - I never realized just how much you nurses do! I've only seen the Dr. once and the rest of the time it has been a nurse who has taken care of me!" Everyone thinks that the Dr. is the one providing patient care, which couldn't be further from the truth on most units where the Dr. sees the pt, writes the order and the rest is handled by the nurse. It's frustrating to know that all of your efforts are so underrecognized by the community (not for accolades by any means, but for sheer understanding and hopefully respect!). The media definitely needs to do a better job of presenting the true facts on nursing.
I completely agree that the public has no idea what nurses do, but I disagree with the idea that it's so different for other professions. You would not believe the things some people think cops do. My dad was a cop and said the first thing tht made him cringe was someone applying and saying anything about cop shows on tv! TV shows always show action and outrageous crimes, seldom the more boring day to day activities they do.
Yeah, 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.
Thanks 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!! :kiss
YEAH, 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. :roll
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."
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.
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.
:rotfl:
I see quoting everyone is a trait you've picked up on.
HUGS 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
:imbar
fergus51
6,620 Posts
I completely agree that the public has no idea what nurses do, but I disagree with the idea that it's so different for other professions. You would not believe the things some people think cops do. My dad was a cop and said the first thing tht made him cringe was someone applying and saying anything about cop shows on tv! TV shows always show action and outrageous crimes, seldom the more boring day to day activities they do.