Is there power in the color white?

[bbfw2]

Hi all. I'm looking for some opinions on whether you believe that returning to wearing all white uniforms might give us back some power.

Now let me explain power. I've been an RN for 21 years and we (the profession) seem to have gone from "thank you nurse" to being treated less than a house keeping staff (and their role is important in hospitals too). I just find patients, their families, government, even our own supervisors do not treat "hands on" nurses with the respect we deserve.

Please be bluntly honest.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

I'm going off what my other RN friends say as well. They feel there is power in white as well.

What I think is odd is that the elderly nurses on this thread think there is power in white and some others, but if a student nurse agress she is all of a sudden out of touch, inexperienced or judgemental. I think the reverse is quite possible, that RN's who have loads of experience can be arrogant towards someone with a different opinion. We all have opinions, whether we have an RN or not. No one said 'only those with RN degrees can reply'. I do think there is power in white.

Also, subservient is different that providing a service. Subservient is an attitude and providing a service is something else with an entirely different attitude. I've never met a nurse who goes to work thinking their patients serve them. It's the other way around. Medical profession is a public 'service' so I'm not sure where the denial is coming from or that bad attitudes from RN's.

Subservient from dictionary.com:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=subservient

sub-ser-vi-ent /səbˈsɜrviənt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[suhb-sur-vee-uhnt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–adjective

1.serving or acting in a subordinate capacity; subordinate.

2.servile; excessively submissive; obsequious: subservient persons; subservient conduct.

3.useful in promoting a purpose or end.

I can tell you when I graduate and become an RN - I will not be subservient. I will be respectful. I will be kind. There is a substantial difference. I will be an educated professional who cares for my patients according to my scope of practice. That does not = being subordinate or excessively submissive. Your job is NOT to do exactly what the patient wants but to do what the patient needs in accordance with your scope.

You mentioned nuns at your hospital being nurses. I wonder if you could be bringing some aspect of your own religiosity (or theirs) into this? The entire subservient notion smacks of patriarchy to me. FYI, I'm a student.

[withasmilelpn]

I love having a choice what to wear. I also love wearing ones that are just fun, like the Dora the Explorer scrub my kids gave me for Christmas. I haven't met anyone who doesn't like it. I know it makes it difficult to tell that I'm a nurse, so I always introduce myself and let them know I'm their nurse that shift. No matter what I am always professional in my demeanor as well. I can tell you this, some people could wear white and have a pair of angel's wings on and still not ever be mistaken for a professional given their behavior!

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

duplication

[LeahJet, ASN, RN]

Thank you, Multi, for the definition of subservient.

I am thinking the poster may be mistaken of the proper definition.

I am respectful, professional, knowledgeable, and kind.

But subservient? ummm.... no.

Sweetface, no one is objecting to you voicing your opinion of the color white.