Offensive Portrayal of Nurses in Ocean City, New Jersey?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

To ALL NURSES,

First of all, thank you very much for your time concerning this matter.

Every year, Ocean City, NJ has an event similar to "groundhog day" but with a hermit crab named "MARTIN Z. MOLLUSK."

This year, the crab will be "checked out by Dr. Ernest Frankenstein and two nurses."

The following is a Media Advisory sent out (via email) by the city of Ocean City (to local residents and tourists-nationwide) which includes more of the information about the event to take place on May 5th.

As you can see when you read...much of this is "all made up and all in good fun" HOWEVER- do you think it is offensive to nurses and an objectionable portrayal to those in health-care!

MEDIA ADVISORY

WILL MARTIN Z. MOLLUSK SEE HIS SHADOW ON MAY 5?

WHO: Martin Z. Mollusk, Ocean City's relatively famous Hermit Crab

WHAT: Will attempt to see his shadow for the 37th Time

WHEN: Thursday, May 5 at 11 a.m.

WHERE: 9th Street Beach, opposite the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace

WHY: If he sees his shadow summer comes one week early to Ocean City much to the delight of visitors, merchants and the general populace.

DETAILS: (1) Dr. Ernest Frankenstein and two nurses will check out Martin on the beach to make certain that at 111 years of age he is healthy enough to endure the arduous creep (2) The Ocean City High School Band will play Pomp and Circumstance as Martin is carried to the beach (3.) The World's Only Wind Chimes Band of Ocean City will perform "Brother Can You Spare a Chime," now Number One on the International Wind Chimes Charts, (4) Some Enchanted Morning, Martin's theme song will be sung by popular musician Lew London and Suzanne Muldowney aka Underdog before Martin attempts to see his shadow (5) Big Mamma Llama of Bready's Farms in Tuckahoe will shake her head if Martin sees his shadow (6) Copies of Martin's re-issued biography, Rhyme and Punishment, will be given to those in attendance ( 7) Trash Buster, the City's Canned Crusader, will clear the beach of any litter prior to the creep (8.) Arrgh! The Air Circus Pirate will provide security for the event.

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While I find the event as described pretty sillly and pointless, I don't find it "offensive" in any way. I doubt that any physicians are trying to organize a protest over the portrayal of "Dr. Ernest Frankenstein." I also doubt v. much that anyone is going to take the stunt seriously as a portrayal of nurses. As you note, it's all done in fun, as a marketing/publicity/tourism stunt. IMHO, when nurses get worked up about this sort of thing and make some kind of public protest, it just makes us look like a bunch of humorless cranks (see the public comments regarding nurses' complaints about the "HawthoRNe" TV show -- there were some threads here about that when it was new).

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What's wrong with it? It's all in fun.

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

Ummm, not sure what is so upsetting or offensive about this. It actually seems fun and kind of cute.

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I don't understand. Are the "nurses" and the "doctor" going to be doing something offensive? I must be missing something.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

So are you worried that people with think that doctors and nurses really take care of crabs? Hmmmm, maybe someone should alert the local veterinarians association.........:lol2:

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Am I missing something?

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Uh yeah, I see nothing offensive here.......there are bigger mollusks to boil.....

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Specializes in School Nurse.

Most of the nurse portrayals in the media are offensive, or at least way off base from reality. I do agree that a vet would be more appropriate to "check him out".

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Specializes in med surg,.

i think all of us have taken care of a crab or two or hundreds LOL

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Hi Everyone,

Yes, I used to think this way too...However, if you get a chance, please read "From Silence to Voice" by Bernice Buresh and Suzanne Gordon. We, as nurses, need to advocate for the portrayal of the nursing profession. Nursing students and nurses work hard to get where they are and we need to convey that are highly skilled and very knowledgeable. (Meanwhile...there are also shows like Gray's Anatomy on the television where nurses don't even exist...). Our future depends upon a realistic and respectful portrayal of the nursing profession...

Additionally, check out the Center for Nursing Advocacy at: http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/news/news.html

ps- there are some college courses that focus soley on this importance...

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Much ado about little, or nothing.

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