If you could change NURSING what would you change?

1BlessedRN · Dec 11, 2005

Thank you all so much for your inputs I totally agree with alot that was stated here and this has allowed us to vent out our frustrations of nursing and give us a sense of imagination and ideas....We are the voices and backbone of the health profession! If we unite together with our voices we as nurses can make a BIG difference across the borders........

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UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Dec 11, 2005

This has probably already been said, but I think what ruins nursing for a lot of us is the constant tug-of-war about where nurses fit in.

Are we autonomous professionals or are we employees?

Much of our professional angst has to do with trying to bridge the gap between the patient's safe delivery of care and the facility's bottom line.

We're stretched too thin as a result.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Dec 11, 2005

This has probably already been said, but I think what ruins nursing for a lot of us is the constant tug-of-war about where nurses fit in.
Are we autonomous professionals or are we employees?
Much of our professional angst has to do with trying to bridge the gap between the patient's safe delivery of care and the facility's bottom line.
We're stretched too thin as a result.

However--and forgive me if it seems OT, but no one ever seems to address this issue in these discussions--what about malpractice insurance? Wouldn't the rates then go up for nurses if we were all independent contractors?

ptadvocate81 · Dec 11, 2005

RESPECT! Patients and families to realize that we are not glorified servants! I am so tired of patients and their families dictating what I will and will not do for them! I am here to help you, yes, am I here as your personal slave?, NO!!! I would like to see the doctors convey more respect towards nurses as well, but that seems like a mute thought. I think that they are taught to disrespect nurses and they think it's okay. There are exceptions to the rule, but it's the few that give them all a bad name. Same with us nurses.

gypsyatheart · Dec 11, 2005

Excellent thread and topic, as well as great responses/ideas! Especially Furball and RN4NICU.

What we need is public education....the public needs to know that if they are in the hospital they are there because they need nursing care. I have said this before, and will again, no doubt. Of course, MD's and hospitals, especially want to keep this well kept fact as hidden as possible. Nurses need to start governing their own practice, from educational standards to staffing to running the units. Get rid of the "suits', the (nearly) useless admins and CEO's or at least, start representing ourselves as a separate entity, not to be controlled by Administration, but respected and "courted", if you will, as they "court" MD's to bring them the patients.

It is a huge thing, and until we can all get on the same page, it is doubtful we will see any quick change. But I have faith, little by little, one voice can become two, and then two hundred, and so on....

yankeesrule · Dec 11, 2005

For me and my job that as an LPN that I am as valued as others in higher grade. I feel it is unfair that people can move up the ladder thru civil service exam make more money than I with no education and become a PEF member. (silly I know) I get excluded from the Nurses meeting announcement often. And most importantly a staff member who was promoted from aid to supervior and now tells me how to do my job when they have no medical knowledge. It just gets under my skin.

Kelly_the_Great · Dec 11, 2005

I would really like to see unity promoted within nursing. I very much like Retired R.N.'s post.

I think the mutual care of eachother, as individual nurses and as a profession, should be included within nursing education's curriculum.

It always amazes me that we do not extend the same care and respect we give our patients towards ourselves. Things like therapeutic communication techniques, etc.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 11, 2005

It always amazes me that we do not extend the same care and respect we give our patients towards ourselves. Things like therapeutic communication techniques, etc.

I know.

What amazes me is the amount of attacks and lack of reespect towards people's choice of education, degree, or institution, etc.

And the people that do these things this WONDERING why there there's no unification, right after they just offended people lol!!!:selfbonk:

Kelly_the_Great · Dec 11, 2005

I know.
What amazes me is the amount of attacks and lack of reespect towards people's choice of education, degree, or institution, etc.
And the people that do these things this WONDERING why there there's no unification, right after they just offended people lol!!!:selfbonk:

Yeah, and you know what gets me, Marie?

They complain about the varying levels of instruction (usually of ones which are of a lesser degree than there own). But I mean, we need ppl to be performing these tasks, right? Would they rather have nonnursing (MA is one good example) personnel to be performing them? Ppl that don't even speak their same language? So much for continuity of care... :uhoh3:

Why can't we just recognize & appreciate everyone's contributions? Makes me C-R-A-Z-Y!!!! :madface:

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Dec 11, 2005

That the public would understand and appreciate what we do and how hard we work. That would be WONDERFUL !!!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 11, 2005

Why can't we just recognize & appreciate everyone's contributions? Makes me C-R-A-Z-Y!!!!

That would require compromise.

jmgrn65, RN · Dec 12, 2005

I know some have said this, but i will say it again. I want families and patients to treat us with respect, not tell me how to do my job - which one of us has the education? That is my pet peeve and why I sometimes want to get out of nursing. :0