How to change the Nursing's Image ?

celery · Oct 22, 2007

What part of our image do you think we have to change? Nurses are very well respected here in the Northeastern United States.

woody436 · Oct 23, 2007

let's start with ceasing to portray nursing as something other than the intellectually-challenging, scientifically-based, evidenced-based, research focused, form of health care delivery that it really is. sure, nursing is a caring profession, but i wonder how many good potential nurses we lose because the image of nursing they see is angel's wings, teddy bears, and anatomically incorrect hearts...conversely, how many students are dropped or fail out because they got into nursing based on those things only to discover it's much more challenging?

ellen 12 · Oct 23, 2007

Does it really matter what our image is? It's a question, not a judgement. I don't like the idea of a 'professional image' and all that entails in relation to my job. Professional image - in my mind builds up a idea of status seeking. I feel valued and respected for the work I do.

I likes Watson's theory of nursing, nursing is about caring, but ... there are many aspects and roles in nursing. In wanting provide appropriate care - I rely on evidence based information.

Nurses 'professional image' is an idea worthy of exploring.

I am a nurse because of the value I take from my role, not really based on how others perceive me. Although if I was treated badly and not respected - there would be a problem.

jjjoy, LPN · Oct 23, 2007

1) Change the reality of nursing first... improve staffing such that nurses aren't stretched so thin that they can't do more than toss meds at people and run, toss patient education sheets and patients and run, etc.

2a) admit that acute care nurses are in fact participating in medical care (though not diagnosing and writing orders) by assessing and monitoring patients, reporting change in status, suggesting actions and reviewing orders as well as carrying out orders (administering meds, changing dressings, etc).

2b) and embrace medical terminology (as opposed to awkward nursing diagnoses) in regard to medical issues that nurses address

3) admit that acute care nurses are not as involved in "holistic" care as perhaps nurses in some other areas... after all, how holistic can you get if only have the patient for a shift or two before they are discharged or transferred to another unit? I do think nurses should be sensitive to non-medical issues (culture, coping style, etc) in going about their care, but their care priorities are medically-related and if patients have other needs, the acute care nurse needs to refer to social services, chaplain services, etc.

RNperdiem, RN · Oct 23, 2007

Worry about image reminds me of my college alumni association. Second tier colleges are obsessed with image, prestige and status. They are always looking for ways to improve image; all too often it is a matter of style over substance. Nursing is often compared unfavorably to medicine, and many hunger for a little status to rub off on nurses.

There is no easy fix.

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2007

Lose Press Gainey, and stop making us hostesses, and everything jjjoy said!!!!

If patients and their families realized how much of their care, treatments and final outcomes were do to nursing and not their doctors, we'd be seen as we truly are-Integral(Vital) to a patient's well-being.

Maisy;)

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2007

2b) and embrace medical terminology (as opposed to awkward nursing diagnoses) in regard to medical issues that nurses address

How nice it would be to say "Ineffective Breathing Pattern r/t Pneumonia" instead of "r/t inability to breath deeply 2o secretions, congestion, and pain upon inspiration."

jb2u, ASN, RN · Oct 23, 2007

For those that say that they do not really care about the image, I know what you are trying to state; however, I care about the image of nursing because I care about nursing.

Yes, we are always rated as one of the most trusted professions; however, most people do not know exactly what it is that nurses do, so what are they really trusting? That we can empty a foley? I say get the word out and get involved. I talk to my patients and their family about nursing. I went to career day at my son's school. If asked, "what do you do for a living?", don't just say, "I'm a nurse" and leave it at that. Let them know what you DO! You would not believe how many people were unaware that we are not just there to do whatever the doctor "orders" us to do. Nursing is so much more than just caring and society needs to know that. Yes, caring is a big part of nursing, but I can care while still performing a job that requires me to think!

Still caring,

Jay

Adham Ahmed · Oct 25, 2007

There are many strategies which we have to focus on :

1. The Nurse and the Patient

1.1 Patient Care

1.2 Clinical Research

1.3 Clinical Teaching

1.4 The Dying Patient

2. The Nurse and the Profession

2.1 Professional Conduct

2.2 Advertising (editorially revised in November 2006)

2.3 Referral to Colleagues

3. Professional Independence

4. The Nurse and Society

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Oct 26, 2007

great info here: [color=#848484]center for nursing advocacy

Adham Ahmed · Oct 27, 2007

These are consideration which nurse have to recognize that useful in enhancement of the nursing image :

1. The Nurse and the Patient

Consider first the well-being of your patient.

1.1 Patient Care

1.2 Clinical Research

Accept responsibility to advance medical progress by participating in properly developed research involving human participants.

1.3 Clinical Teaching

Honour your obligation to pass on your professional knowledge and skills to colleagues and students.

1.4 The Dying Patient

1. Remember the obligation to preserve life, but, where death is deemed to be imminent and where curative or life-prolonging treatment appears to be futile, try to ensure that death occurs with dignity and comfort.

2. The Nurse and the Profession

2.1 Professional Conduct

1. Build a professional reputation based on integrity and ability.

2.2 Advertising

1. Confine advertising of professional services to the presentation of information reasonably needed by patients or colleagues to make an informed decision about the availability and appropriateness of your medical services.

2.3 Referral to Colleagues

1. Obtain the opinion of an appropriate colleague acceptable to your patient if diagnosis or treatment is difficult or obscure, or in response to a reasonable request by your patient.

3. Professional Independence

1. In order to provide high quality health care, you must safeguard clinical independence and professional integrity from increased demands from society, third parties, individual patients and governments.

4. The Nurse and Society

1. Endeavor to improve the standards and quality of, and access to, medical services in the community.

all of previous solution was modified , and it's primarily found in the AMA Code of Ethics - 2004. Editorially Revised 2006

you can see the link below

http://www.ama.com.au/web.nsf/tag/amacodeofethics