I am a real nurse

Awesomocity0 · Sep 25, 2015

Never, ever equate putting a stethoscope and tasking with 'real nursing.' You don't ever have to justify your work to other specialties. I started off my career in psych nursing, then switched over to PACU and GI. I do such a wide variety of tasks. In PACU I'm continuously observing and physically assessing patients and treating complications. In GI, I label specimens and stand by a computer to time out. I wipe butts. In psych, I spent a lot of time talking and even more time listening.

Based off those obviously less-than-comprehensive lists, would I order my jobs based on how much of a 'real nurse' I was doing them from PACU to GI to psych?

NO.

That's ridiculous and demeaning. What makes you a nurse is doing for your patient what your patient needs at that time. If I don't time out, we could do the procedure without a consent, a note, give drugs that the patient is allergic to, or do the wrong procedure. Hello, sentinel events anyone? In psych, if you don't stand there and listen, your patient could literally kill him/herself. He/she could actively be having a panic attack.

Your communication skills in psych are vastly superior to anyone else's. I believe that with all my heart. And your teaching skills are probably better, too. You can teach someone to give themselves insulin pretty easily, in most cases. Teaching CAMs and coping mechanisms requires trouble shooting and critical thinking abilities on such a high level that I don't think most people are capable of doing it. You can teach tasking easier than critical thinking skills.

And you know what? Just yesterday, I had a patient who was having a panic attack in a room, and while the nurse in that room had no idea what to do, I came in and calmed the patient down using two CAMs I'm fond of. And because of that, she took less sedation, and had a better outcome and better experience overall.

If you're a great psych nurse, you're more patient than I am. You're a better communicator. You're compassionate and humble and humanitarian. I salute you, psych nurses. I couldn't hack it, and if you can, I think you're just amazing. And anyone who thinks you're not a 'real nurse' probably has no idea what to do. Accept it and move on. Nursing is normally a thankless job, from our patients and unfortunately, usually our co-workers and fellow nurses as well.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Sep 25, 2015

And you're with him, why?

My bf told me last night over dinner that LTC (my preferred specialty) is for people who are too dumb, strange, looney to work in a real job, like hospital. I'm a BSN with15+ years experience:ER, ICU, med/surg, home health and LTC...guess what he didn't get last night :-)

Jmarty31 · Sep 25, 2015

Don't let people say you're not a real nurse. Anybody. We are nurses. From the most experienced nurse to the student nurse freshman. We. Are. Nurses. We do things that some people would never. Why? Because we save people. We help people. Don't let them get to you. Be proud of yourself and know how awesome you are how awesome we are

Jmarty31 · Sep 25, 2015

And you're with him, why?

Why are you with him is the real question(this is not to you Bucky; my phone won't let me switch it to reply to her)

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Sep 25, 2015

And you're with him, why?

Because most of the time he has more sense than this, and has other pretty good qualities...if any of you tell me that your s/o never says anything odd, then they are either mute, or you (general) are lying to yourselves and/or everybody else...

100kids, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2015

I am a School Nurse and I always hear how that's not real Nursing as well. In truth I didn't know much real Nursing it was until I became one! Don't let anyone demean what you do. You are a Nurse whether you do IVs or not and no one knows your job except for you! Many see me as someone who waits around to pass out ice and band-aids, doesn't mean it's true. I admire the Nursing work you do, I was not cut out for your specialty. Be you and don't worry about everyone else.

Jmarty31 · Sep 25, 2015

ah, my girlfriend always says she could never be a nurse because it's such a demanding career

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Sep 25, 2015

I just wrote this awesomely killer response, and then I read it back to myself before pushing the "submit" button and I sounded really snarky. I'm so sorry about that, because it wasn't what I intended.

What I MEANT was this: I will never understand why some professionals will spend so much energy and time whittling away at other professionals, with the sole purpose of making them feel bad. Every RN and LPN has completed a state-mandated course of study before they take a licensing exam. That means that every licensed individual has a somewhat similar base of knowledge and skill when starting out. I could NEVER work a Pediatrics floor or an OB/GYN unit, but I know that I, as an RN, am every bit an RN as those nurses who DO work those units.

So, you know you are a nurse; why do you even listen to or give any thought to people who try to take your accomplishments away from you? I know you have better things to do!

Sending my best wishes!

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Sep 25, 2015

Well as long as not inserting IV's is the criteria I guess I'm not a real nurse either...haven't placed one in years and that is the only one I've ever placed.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2015

I imagine that every profession has something similar.

You're not a real doctor if you're a dermatologist. You're not a real attorney if you work in tax law.

You're not a real model if you don't do runway. You're not a real pharmacist if you work at WalMart.

Some people just have to feel superior, and make up reasons that satisfy that need.

I place enough pressure on myself without letting some idiot get in my head.

Julius Seizure · Sep 25, 2015

I must be an awfully real nurse then since I work in ICU....lucky me.... :yawn:

To be honest....I'm kind of tired of the realness.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 25, 2015

So often I hear that psych nurses aren't real nurses. I work on an inpatient unit. I do modified head to toe assessments, listen to heart and lungs sounds, give PRNs for things ranging from high blood pressures to panic attacks, give injections, test blood sugars, and all with the added bonus of occasionally dodging a flying chair. But since I haven't started an IV in years and need help somehow I'm not a 'real' nurse to some medical professionals. Anyone else run into this?

You actually deal with the mental health issues that I avoid as much as humanly possible. That makes you as real as they come! In my view, anyway. I haven't started an IV in years, either. (I love those post ops with their central lines!)