Health Profession & Wacko's

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 27, 2006

I strongly dislike the title of the thread, specifically the term, "wacko".

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2006

I strongly dislike the title of the thread, specifically the term, "wacko".

Why? Are you a "wacko" ? Then why dislike, or take offense?

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2006

In defense to the OP, I dont think (correct me if I am wrong) that she actually meant people with dignosed mental ilnesses. I took it to believe, she meant people who are a litte "off" , personality wise , manner wise, etc.... I use that term, and I dont intend to mean actual people who are mentally ill. Matter of fact, I am on antidepressants and anxiolytics, and in no way do I consider myself a "whacko"!!!!!

(wondering why this forum is so sensitive on so many miniscule issues?)

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 27, 2006

Nope not a so called "wacko", well at least, IMO. But in another's I may be a raging "wacko". I however, would not appreciate myself or loved one being referred as such, would you? What may be miniscule to you, may be a huge problem for the next person. It's all about point of view, especially if you know of or have loved ones who happen to be mentally-ill.

Also, if you would judge other nurses as "wacko" for choosing nursing, how can you depend on them as team members in delivery of care? I think we all have our "problems" and co-dependency (one of the most-noticed) is very common among health care givers, not just nurses. But that makes them "wacko", exactly how?

Anyhow, It's not about how I feel really. It's about professionalism. IF we would apply this term to our collegues, how would we view our patients? I think while derogatory terms are not necessary, they are divisive and obstructive, getting in the way of the relative objectivity we as professionals need to provide the care our populations depend on us to deliver.

Yes, I am sensitive to the subject, I know.....

bmoore1973 · Dec 27, 2006

i don't know about "wacko" because it takes a special person to be a nurse! i think this profession can sometimes make a person crazy becaue of all that is expected of us and all that we do! if that is what you mean by "wacko"!!!

redshiloh · Dec 27, 2006

We had a psychologist on staff that said she could write a book about the staff. She told us we had staff with borderline personality disorder, early dementia and a variety of enabling personalities.

Today, my personal self diagnosis is wacko, because I was actually considering becoming nurse manager.

lannisz · Dec 27, 2006

I was wondering if perhaps this profession is so stressful that you enter it pretty much intact but then after so many years it makes you that way

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2006

In defense to the OP, I dont think (correct me if I am wrong) that she actually meant people with dignosed mental ilnesses. I took it to believe, she meant people who are a litte "off" , personality wise , manner wise, etc.... I use that term, and I dont intend to mean actual people who are mentally ill. Matter of fact, I am on antidepressants and anxiolytics, and in no way do I consider myself a "whacko"!!!!!
(wondering why this forum is so sensitive on so many miniscule issues?)

You could be right and I'm willing to give the original poster the benefit of the doubt. He's a male btw, and has started a couple of threads that could go badly and I'm suspicious.

The issue might be miniscule to you but we have to allow others to have their feelings, even if we feel they are blowing it out of proportion or don't feel the way we do.

Even when I posted my objection to the term "wacko", I thought to myself "gee, I'm not usually this pc, and someone is going to accuse me of being too pc."

Finally I don't think the forum is that sensitive one way or the other. The opinions run the gamut from the overly sensitive to the unconcerned on most forums, and I think it's balanced if you look at the big picture. In some threads it's only a few senstive people and the 90% of the people are "it's only a joke............", "it's only a TV show...........", "there are more important things in life to get upset about". If I were sensitive I would think just the oppositive of you and see "why are people on this board so..........". Anyway, thanks for voicing your opinion and give me food for thought.

bethin · Dec 27, 2006

Wacko to give up my holidays to work while everyone else is off? Wacko to work 12 hour plus shifts? Wacko to give up my weekends and see people at their worse? And do all this for less than $10 an hour???

Yeah, then I guess I'm 'wacko'.

Jules A, MSN · Dec 27, 2006

Wacko to give up my holidays to work while everyone else is off? Wacko to work 12 hour plus shifts? Wacko to give up my weekends and see people at their worse? And do all this for less than $10 an hour???Yeah, then I guess I'm 'wacko'.

A bit of a hijack but darn I can't believe what they pay (or rather don't pay) CNAs especially for the amount of work you do. Thank you bethin for doing what you.

blueyesue · Dec 27, 2006

I think it is a broad brush to paint with. I am sure there are plenty of quirky personalities in the nursing profession. Isn't that what makes work a little more interesting anyway? Maybe what you view as "wacko" are people who have more energy, are more eccentric, are more vivacious than you are used to. I'll take a little eccentric and a little quirky over the same old same old any day. :clown:

nursesaideBen · Dec 27, 2006

I have to agree with Tweety on this, I think you have to be a little "out there" in order to get through NS and survive out on the job! For me personally, my friends all think I am crazier than looney toon for going into nursing all they ever say is "Eww... that means you have to clean up poop you're nasty!" :madface: Oh well, even if they think I'm a nasty and crazy:lol_hitti person, I wouldn't trade what I do for all the money in the world:smilecoffeecup: