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Discussion

Held to a higher standard

Hello everyone,

Did anyone notice that once you became a nurse you somehow always are held to a higher standard than any other person? With all this ebola crap it's just making it more and more apparent. Please share your thoughts

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    • Expert

    What kind of "higher standard" are you referring to? In general, though, that's kind of the point of licensing particular occupations/professions; we are held to a higher standard, and have greater responsibilities to the public, than those not in licensed occupations/professions.

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    This. This this this.

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    I SHOULD be held to a higher standard of expected knowledge when it comes to nursing and nursing-related information, than the Avererage Joe. After all.....that's my educational base, right?

    Should I be held to a higher standard on the tennis court? Probably not :)

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    • Author

    Held to a higher standard in nursing/healthcare, yes, but for instance a local news source shared a story online talking about how an alcoholic died in jail of a ruptured peptic ulcer. A coworker of mine commented and said that's not particularly newsworthy, drinkers often have peptic ulcers. Then someone on Facebook threatened to complain to the hospital over my coworkers comment because "nurses should be caring and compassionate." Frustrating

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    Nurses have been honored to receive the highest level of public trust of any professional in the US for the last decade. So we need to hold ourselves to a higher standard to continue to deserve that trust.

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    • Expert
    Held to a higher standard in nursing/healthcare, yes, but for instance a local news source shared a story online talking about how an alcoholic died in jail of a ruptured peptic ulcer. A coworker of mine commented and said that's not particularly newsworthy, drinkers often have peptic ulcers. Then someone on Facebook threatened to complain to the hospital over my coworkers comment because "nurses should be caring and compassionate." Frustrating

    Yet another good reason to avoid Facebook, IMO ...

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    Not just a higher standard.... a ridiculous standard.

    The public sees us as sweet little angels of mercy.. and all that goes with THAT.

    The BON is just waiting for a human mistake.. so they can "sanction" us. Do doctors and lawyers fear for their credentials if they get a DUI or test positive for marijuana?

    As far as my higher standard of knowledge... I keep that in the hospital. I do not "share" medical knowledge or nursing observations in the public setting.

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    Nurses have been honored to receive the highest level of public trust of any professional in the US for the last decade. So we need to hold ourselves to a higher standard to continue to deserve that trust.

    What if I don't want that trust ?

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    • Author

    The BON is just waiting for a human mistake.. so they can "sanction" us. Do doctors and lawyers fear for their credentials if they get a DUI or test positive for marijuana?

    That's what I'm saying. A doc I know was found in possession of street drugs and tox screen was hot for those drugs. Still practicing.

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    • Expert
    That's what I'm saying. A doc I know was found in possession of street drugs and tox screen was hot for those drugs. Still practicing.

    Lots of physicians (and attorneys) do eventually lose their licenses for using drugs. However, for better or worse, it is well known within the various professions that nursing does a much better job of policing our own than either medicine or law. Many of us in nursing are proud of that, but I suppose there is a negative aspect, as well.

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    Yet another good reason to avoid Facebook, IMO ...

    Took the post right outta my mouth ;)

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    ... A coworker of mine commented and said that's not particularly newsworthy, drinkers often have peptic ulcers. Then someone on Facebook threatened to complain to the hospital over my coworkers comment because "nurses should be caring and compassionate." Frustrating

    How is that different from this very website? How many times does someone post their view on a topic, only to be told off by someone that they shouldn't be a nurse, that they are supposed to be caring and compassionate, that they'd hate to have Suzie as their nurse since Suzie is obviously so lacking in qualifications to do so. Meaning, that they didn't smoosh warm fuzzies and rainbows all over the place when it just wasn't warranted.

    Being a nurse means if you have an opinion that doesn't include blanket acceptance of all things contrary....you should be ashamed of yourself, and probably turning over your ID badge.

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