incompetent nursing

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 25, 2004

Try typing in that phrase at yahoo.com and see what comes up.

leslie :-D · Mar 29, 2004

very good chance that you'll find 'incompetent' nurses when they're in the job strictly for the money, w/o any regard for the needs of the patients. on the other end of the spectrum is the nurses that are such because it was a calling. that's where you'll find superior nursing with aspirations to only improve, recognizing that there's no such thing as a perfect nurse but only one that can get better and better.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 29, 2004

Therefore, I SO disagree that "the other end of the spectrum" is reserved for nurses who were "called" as if divinely or something. There are SUPERB nurses who were not "called" but looking for job security or opportunities for advancement, when they entered. I hate when people believe only nurses "called" to the *profession* (which by definition is NOT synoymous with "calling") are any good.

leslie :-D · Mar 29, 2004

Therefore, I SO disagree that "the other end of the spectrum" is reserved for nurses who were "called" as if divinely or something. There are SUPERB nurses who were not "called" but looking for job security or opportunities for advancement, when they entered. I hate when people believe only nurses "called" to the *profession* (which by definition is NOT synoymous with "calling") are any good.

well you're entitled to disagree. i strongly feel that there are nurses that are nurses because it feels so innately natural and instinctive....to me that's a calling. nor did i ever infer that there weren't superb nurses that weren't 'called' but when you feel that you were born to be a nurse and truly love being one, then it stands to reason that anything that you're passionate about, you just aspire to improve upon. why i got that reaction from you, i'll never know.

Baby Catcher · Mar 29, 2004

Wow! I have to agree with earle58 blue eyes. That was a bit of an over-reaction. Sometimes you need to step back and think about what you are typing before you respond. Just a friendly suggestion.

Gldngrl · Mar 29, 2004

Many subscribed to nursing as a "calling" much as those entering the priesthood or the nunnery...this "calling" as it were created misconceptions about nurses, ie: we're martyrs working for work's sake and we don't care about money, etc.

I can understand why SmilingBluEyes responded as she did. We need to get away from equating nursing to religious callings and treat it as the honorable profession that it is. It is not a crime to want to be a nurse and make a decent wage and benefits...and one can be a great nurse and a greatly paid nurse at that.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 29, 2004

Some people view it as a choice, some as a calling. To each their own.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2004

According to JCAHO a competency is a demonstrated skill (versus knowledge). So if a nurse has never practiced the skill, or not done it routinely, the nurse may not be competent due to lack of experience. This is NOT the same as incompetent. An incompetent nurse is one who SHOULD know how to perform a task, but does not. For instance, many of our so-called skilled ER nurses get blood cultures incorrectly. They are always in a hurry (due to job demands) and will not always take time to cleanse skin appropriately or WORSE, will get two specimens from same site (saves nurse time but is a waste of time and money for patient). That is incompetence to me.

ktwlpn, LPN · Mar 29, 2004

Therefore, I SO disagree that "the other end of the spectrum" is reserved for nurses who were "called" as if divinely or something. There are SUPERB nurses who were not "called" but looking for job security or opportunities for advancement, when they entered. I hate when people believe only nurses "called" to the *profession* (which by definition is NOT synoymous with "calling") are any good.

We have spoken to this topic many times on this board-and I don't like what the phrase" called to nursing" implies....even though I feel that I was meant to do exactly what I am doing....Too many excellent nurses have settled for low pay and crappy working conditions because they felt that is what they deserve-as if they have to suffer for their "calling" Nursing is a profession and we will never have truly equal pay and benefits until it is recognized as such.....PS=the term "calling" (according to Encarta) has no religious connotation.....but I think many use it in that way..

Karen_tn_37211 · Mar 29, 2004

I feel called to say that I agree with Smiling BluEyes.

leslie :-D · Mar 30, 2004

We have spoken to this topic many times on this board-and I don't like what the phrase" called to nursing" implies....even though I feel that I was meant to do exactly what I am doing....Too many excellent nurses have settled for low pay and crappy working conditions because they felt that is what they deserve-as if they have to suffer for their "calling" Nursing is a profession and we will never have truly equal pay and benefits until it is recognized as such.....PS=the term "calling" (according to Encarta) has no religious connotation.....but I think many use it in that way..

point well taken kt. i certainly am not a martyr or self-sacrificing. in spite of horrific working conditions and little recognition/respect, i feel (personally) 100% fulfilled being a nurse. on a professional level, that's a whole different story. but when i refer to opposite ends of the spectrum, there is one nurse that comes to mind where i personally find her a disgrace to the nsg. profession. her motto is "if it's documented, then it was done" although such care was never given. i've worked with her and now refuse to work with her. she is the 1st and only nurse that i've absolutely ever refused to work with. to me she is incompetent. then there are nurses that have found their niche in life. they're enthusiastic & impassioned, with their goals of doing everything they can for their pts., therapeutically speaking. those are the nurses on the other end of the spectrum. i was speaking more figuratively than literally.