incompetent nursing

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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..

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

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.

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.

I thought about it and responded appropriate to my passion. I have read this time and again here; nursing as a calling versus a profession. I am quite tired of nurses and NON-nurses who think those "called" to it are somehow better or that we all should be divinely appointed to it! I am really tired of this being said because it is somewhat insulting to those of us who never felt called to it. I have even been told by some I entered nursing for the wrong reason just because I wanted job security. Who is ANYONE to judge why a person enters what she considers a profession? I am not a nun or a servant (except to my G-d), and I consider nursing a PROFESSION, not a divine calling.

I also think the attitude we must be called to it sometimes holds us back from making strides in gaining respect as a group of professionals; that somehow we need to be like Mother Theresa or Florence Nightingale and while at it, settle for less pay, less respect, make fewer demands as compared to other medical/allied health professionals.

Now, to those who DO feel called, I say BRAVO; there is more than enough room for us all and I for one, welcome you!

And you got it right; I am entitled to my opinion, as you are yours. I did NOT respond inappropriate to my feelings here. Sorry if you are offended by my words or how I put them. NO offense intended, honestly. Thanks anyhow for the suggestion; I feel I am doing fine. :)