We really need to do something about the publics understanding of nursing. I'm starting to get really ticked about this and I'm far far from a prideful person. I'm just tired of people not realizing that I do infact hold a license and that I went threw a hell of allot to get it and that I do more then just change bed pans etc...
The other day I ran into my wife's cousin who I haven't seen for about 13 years. We were talking and he asked what I do.
"I'm a nurse"
"Oh really? So is my girlfriend"
"Cool where does she work?"
"Oh she doesn't work as a nurse anymore she does telemarketing"
"Really? Why"
"She makes more money that way"
"Huh? How much does she make?"
"Oh minimum wage + bonuses of 2 or 3 dollars"
Went on like this for a while turns out she was a CNA, ok so I was a CNA once too but I didn't call myself a nurse. CNA's are great and some are damn sharp but they aren't nurses. I just let it go and didn't take the time explain the difference to him.
A few days later I'm sitting at the nurse station and a doc is complained about her office "nurses". It seems that some of them don't feel comfortable calling lab results to patients or excepting phone orders. So I ask are they nurses or MA's. Well some are nurses but the ones complaining are MA's. All I said was well if I was an MA I wouldn't want to do it either. I don't even think MA's can legally take orders or report test results.
Had a patient freak out on me the other day when I went to start her IV. "You can't do that I need a doctor!" "Um honey I can call him in here but doubt he has started one in the last 20 years scene med school"
Anyway I'm feel better after venting and now feel a little silly about being so ticked off but we really do need to do something about this
There is that huge lets get people into nursing public service campain, how about a this is what nursing is campain?! TV Spots, flier, real education! We worked our butts off in school, and are the moment to moment decision makers on the floor. I have a great doc personally, but if i were admitted i would be looking at my nursing staff for the night, they are the ones making my care decisions, and it doesnt matter how great my doc is if he is not in house every second, which no one could expect. ITS ALL ABOUT THENURSES. I also work in a teaching hospital in the regional burn unit, I always have to brace myself when the new residents come in, so come july first my catch phrases will resemble, "Would you like to review that order?" "Would you like to give me a useful pain control regimen or would you like called in an hour?" and so on and so on
I loved that!!! I do the same when these newbies breeze in & order 25 demerol IM on a cardiac! uhh, NOOOOOOO!! try again! or shall I call the chief resident on call? The docs have the nerve to say "don't call me again" so I tell my nurses write it as an order & they'll never tell you that again! lol!:roll If the patients only knew.
DayRay, OMG med certification classes????????? What's up with that? Very scarey isn't it? One question though, if an error is made who is ultimately responsible legally and who would get it from the powers that be at the hospital? Could it be the RN who oversees all of the pt. needs? Where I am located now, the hospital is attemping Team Nsg on the Med/Surg floors. 1 LPN is the med nurse for all the pt.'s. That poor LPN, what a way to save a buck!!!!!!! Respect your nurses and they'll flock to your facility is all I can say!! Thanks for the warning.......
charissa
92 Posts
There is that huge lets get people into nursing public service campain, how about a this is what nursing is campain?! TV Spots, flier, real education! We worked our butts off in school, and are the moment to moment decision makers on the floor. I have a great doc personally, but if i were admitted i would be looking at my nursing staff for the night, they are the ones making my care decisions, and it doesnt matter how great my doc is if he is not in house every second, which no one could expect. ITS ALL ABOUT THENURSES. I also work in a teaching hospital in the regional burn unit, I always have to brace myself when the new residents come in, so come july first my catch phrases will resemble, "Would you like to review that order?" "Would you like to give me a useful pain control regimen or would you like called in an hour?" and so on and so on