Not Good Enough For Medicine - Be A Nurse!

hbscott · Nov 20, 2003

Thank you once again for the insightful input. I would agree that "ER" is only a television show and that the producers of the show don't have a responsibility to show nurses in a positive light since it is only entertainment.

But I think we would all be surprised just how much so called "entertainment" helps to shape the opinions and perceptions of those who watch such shows.

But then again why should we care, it is only "entertainment." And yes I am posting this with some "tongue in cheek" commentary.

Just consider it more "entertainment" for the consumers of mass media. Hopefully (once again I hope) common sense will prevail and nursing will one day be appreciated for what the profession brings to health care.

Until then I will continue to seek "entertainment" that inspires, encourages, uplifts and accentuates the positive rather than exploit the negative.

Maybe one day there will be show that portrays male nurses in a positive light. But then again it is only "entertainment" and why should I care?

:rolleyes:

Neon8 · Nov 20, 2003

Everyone I know hold RNs in high esteem. To be a RN was a long-time goal of mine. Now, I am proud to be one. My family is proud of me also. I have not seen this so-called prevailing negative attitude toward's us... Just my two cents.

hbscott · Nov 20, 2003

Originally posted by Neon8
Everyone I know hold RNs in high esteem. To be a RN was a long-time goal of mine. Now, I am proud to be one. My family is proud of me also. I have not seen this so-called prevailing negative attitude toward's us... Just my two cents.

You are indeed fortunate. Unfortunately the review of literature does not support your experience for many nurses in practice today. Also there is plenty of anecdotal evidence on this and other bulletin boards to suggest that many in nursing have been subjected to a vast array of negative experiences (beyond what usual professions endure it seems).

I wonder why that is?

:confused:

Neon8 · Nov 20, 2003

Keep in mind that BB's are used for venting. So they are not an accurate pertrayal of how nursing really is. Sure, nursing is not a bed of roses, its a hard job, but I was talking about how RNs (me)are veiwed by others in my personal experience.

hbscott · Nov 21, 2003

Interesting comments. From my perspective Bulletin Boards are often used for venting because the anonymity of the post allows for more truthful responses as there is usually no fear of reprisal from colleagues, peers and seniors. Of course there are others who will post nonsense (the word "Troll" comes to mind) to solicit responses from others for sheer entertainment value.

I am glad your nursing experience has been positive but I can assure you that has not been the case for so many nurses in our area. Perhaps you can share why you think your experience is so positive and how others might benefit from that point of view. From what I gather you live in a community that values nursing or at least work in an institution that does. Or at least that is your perception.

What lessons can you share that others (who are willing to listen) might benefit? I don't think denying a problem is beneficial but on the other hand if the problem does not exist in some or other areas I am sure there are many who would appreciate that input.

If you experience has been so positive why do you think that is? On the other hand why do you think that institutions nation wide are struggling to retain nurses? As I see it we have plenty of qualified nurses in this country but many have chosen to leave nursing (such as I did) because we grew weary of institutional abuse and other "dissatisfiers" that have caused many to leave the profession.

What is your take on that?

Neon8 · Nov 21, 2003

You have ignored what I have said. I said the people I know hold RNs in high esteem. I did not say that nursing has been a positive experience for me.

acuteobrn · Nov 21, 2003

Now it sounds that we are getting away from the subject when we are bringing up "trolls" and such.

Back to the subject at hand, yes nurses are and have been looked at as exspendable handservants to the almighty physician, and why is that????

Not saying that the nurses of the past have been anything less than good nurses but what about the old school thought of giving up chairs for doctors to sit in and giving in to the good ole doc's every whim and whine? Yes we have come along way, but we still have much further to go. And I do believe that we will reach that goal of furthering ourselves and our profession. BUT, there are still those of use in the profession that are willing to bow down, not speak our minds and allow this to happen, and I am not talking TV here. I am talking reality. I have seen nurses do this and in fact in nursing school I was told to "respect those in higher authority" in that when a physician or other nurse with more experience than me is looking to sit down, to pay attention and offer my seat even though it was the first opportunity to rest my feet for a few minutes to chart....why should that be? I was also told to keep my mouth shut when witnessing something that was clearly wrong, even though the patient would suffer, because after all you are just a nurse! Well, well, well, if we want to change we have to change ourselves first. This is not something that is easy to do, for anyone, but we have to speak up and be heard. I dont think the answer is boycotting TV shows that are doing not much harm by showing nurses at work, even though the accuracy is not perfect. There is something to be said, when you are not exactly witnessing nurses just hanging around the nurses station waiting for the direction of the almighty physician, they take initiative. They are not white skirt wearing, bedpan wheeling, mindless people, now are they?

Although this may just be entertainment, and I do believe this, and I do respect that there are some that are offended by this, and that the public mind can be shaped by television and the media, what about doing something that matters, and spending money where it can do good?

Our hospital has a program in conjunction with a few local highschools, they are given credit for health class for coming in a few hours a week during the semester to follow nurses around and learn about the profession, they also offer a CNA class for senior students interested and can work through a work program. The local community college has a excellent and highly rated two year nursing program that many of these students end up working in the community.

Now that is putting money and mind to good use, exposure, education, recrutment and retainment.

DMR1 · Nov 21, 2003

people can't blame ER about some people having bad views of nursing. ER has shown pletny of idiot doctors who don't know ANYTHING, and yet the general public doesn't think they're stupid.

Nurses have had, and will have, to put up with people considering the profession 'lousy'. BUT, look how far the image of a nurse has come, say, from 50 years ago. In 15 years, what will the image be?

As a male myself, some people have laughed at my choice of a career, but many many many people, friends and complete strangers, always seem impressed when they find out I"m in nursing.

Where I live (Sk, Canada) a lot of people respect the profession, perhaps because the pay is increasing.

hbscott · Nov 21, 2003

Originally posted by acuteobrn
Now it sounds that we are getting away from the subject when we are bringing up "trolls" and such.

Sorry but when I read the remark "Keep in mind that BB's are used for venting. So they are not an accurate pertrayal of how nursing really is" I just had to rebut.

This post is about "Nursing Image" and indeed nursing has come a long way. But I also be believe that there is much more work to do to improve our professional image in the eyes of the public. As the saying goes "We have come a long way baby." It is nice to be reminded every now and then just how far we have come.

acuteobrn · Nov 21, 2003

HB, I can agree to what you are saying and I am totally all for changing the image of nursing, the question is how to go about it???

BTW, I like the pics, they really show how far we have come, baby.

hbscott · Nov 21, 2003

And hopefully to close this thread I finally submit the following from The Center of Nursing Advocacy:

"You could be a doctor!"

Well-meaning persons sometimes suggest that a nurse they find to be skilled or knowledgeable could or should be a physician, or kiddingly address such a nurse as if he were a physician. Although nurses appreciate compliments, many nurses view these usually innocent comments as unhelpful to the profession. Nurses work together with physicians to restore and maintain health. But nursing is an autonomous profession with its own theory, scholarship and clinical practice areas. Nurses are not junior physicians or physicians' assistants, and few nurses wish to become physicians. In fact, nursing has its own "doctors:" nurses with doctorates in nursing.

In many cases, these statements reflect a common stereotype that a health care worker who displays significant knowledge or technical skills must be a physician, since nurses do not have such qualities. When it becomes obvious that a particular nurse does have such qualities, it is not surprising that many conclude she must be exceptional, which does not conflict with their larger pre-existing ideas. The challenge is to help the public see that knowledgeable, skilled nurses are not the exception, but the rule. Breaking down this part of the nursing stereotype could also help persuade more bright, motivated people to enter the profession and relieve the current shortage.

Not all elements of the common nursing stereotype are negative. Many regard nurses as notably trustworthy, caring and patient-focused. However, we are still waiting to hear about a physician who displays these qualities being told: "You could be a nurse!" Of course, given the wide disparity in status between physicians and nurses, such a statement would be virtually impossible today. And we are not suggesting that it should be made; it could reflect negative stereotyping of physicians.

http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/faq/nf/you_could_be.html

:)

t2000JC · Nov 21, 2003

I agree, Nursing and Medicine are complementary disciplines.