Nurses really aren't the smartest people

Nurses General Nursing

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I belong to a parenting forum.

A girl made a post about the parenting class she took, where she was given some information regarding breastfeeding that she didn't think was correct. She had asked her mom, who told her something different. So she came on to clarify. One of the other members responds to her to listen to her mother, because nurses really are not the smartest people. :mad:

I normally just try to ignore the ignorant things people say, it's the internet after all. But that just aggravated me. First off, no where in her post did she say a nurse taught the class. Secondly, way to stereotype a group of people. Here, let me give you a pretend report on one of my ICU patients, and see how much you understand. Then tell me how "not smart" nurses really are. That would be like me saying Stay at home moms are lazy and that is why they don't work. Ugh.. sorry just needed to vent to people who understand. I don't know why it bugged me so much, but it did.

Well actually, I'd have used some examples from South African political bloopers, but most of them are either so tragic they make you want to cry...like (former president) Thabo Mbeki's statement that he doesn't know anyone who has died of AIDS, or just plain insulting, like our current president Jacob Zuma, who was accused of rape some years ago, stating during his trial that "women who wear skirts are asking for sex...." Not very funny.

George Bush and Dan Quayle, however, have a whole string of side-splitting faux pas to their respective names. I can't help but love both of them....:D

Kind of put's things in perspective. Lived with a load of South African's in Afghanistan. The absolute horror of some of the stuff we saw at the hands of the government over there kinda makes you realise that ole George's faux pas' were not as serious as people would like to assume...

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I belong to a parenting forum. A girl made a post about the parenting class she took, where she was given some information regarding breastfeeding that she didn't think was correct. She had asked her mom, who told her something different. So she came on to clarify. One of the other members responds to her to listen to her mother, because nurses really are not the smartest people:mad: I normally just try to ignore the ignorant things people say, it's the internet after all. But that just aggravated me. First off, no where in her post did she say a nurse taught the class. Secondly, way to stereotype a group of people. Here, let me give you a pretend report on one of my ICU patients, and see how much you understand. Then tell me how "not smart" nurses really are. That would be like me saying Stay at home moms are lazy and that is why they don't work. Ugh.. sorry just needed to vent to people who understand. I don't know why it bugged me so much, but it did.

You hit the nail on the head when you said "girl". I wonder why she didn't contact a lactation consultant etc. instead of posting on a forum. I'm sure the hospital where she delivered gave her information on who to contact if she had questions..I hate how nurses are clumped together with anyone else who happens to be in the healthcare profession. Ignorance bugs me too sometimes.:smackingf

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This just highlights your lack of understanding on how the NCLEX is structured.

Having studied for, taken, and passed the exam, I think I have an understanding of the how the NCLEX is structured. I also know I was not tested on OB, psych, or pediatrics during my exam.

How was my overall competency tested when I was not asked to demonstrate competency in several crucial areas? Given that I went into the ER where I deal daily with OB, psychiatric, and pediatric patients, it seems to me even more distressing.

The NCLEX is a cake-walk. That may offend those who had to take the exam multiple times, but it does not change the fact that compared to the Bar, CPA, USMLE, or even the board exams engineers take, the NCLEX is laughable. Many people confuse the stress surrounding the exam and equate that with difficulty. They think high stress = a complex, difficult exam, but its just not the case.

And this really shouldn't surprise anyone. With the mentality still in place that nurses are in short supply, and that nurses need to be graduated and licensed as quickly as possible, it only makes sense that the licensing exam should measure only the absolute, bottom-of-the-barrel, minimum level of competency. And this should be less surprising still given the lack of understanding of what nursing is from the public and within the medical community. Nursing is often viewed as grunt work that requires special training, but does not necessarily require a high level of education. And, as it turns out, one does not need a high level of education to be a nurse. ( you can get it if you want, but it's certainly not necessary.) "We don't need rocket scientists!," they think. "We just need warm bodies to wipe butts!" If this forum is any indication, nurses are vehemently opposed to measures that would work to dispell this attitude. Increase educational requirements? U dont need a BSN 2 B a gud nurse! Make licensing more difficult? But so many can't pass the NCLEX as it is, and we can't crush their dreams!

I just don't understand the resistance to ideas that would elevate and add to our professional cachet, nor do I understand the uproar that ensues when one suggests that the NCLEX is such a poor indicator of competency that they should just give graduates licenses along with their degree. *shrug*

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Sorry no-not that I'm aware of, though I believe there are some funny ones attributed to Nelson Mandela, who is the only one with a good sense of humor...Yes, I know that was GB senior btw..:)

You'd be surprised at how many of my own countrypeople don't know their basic history/civics/government stuff! It seems sometimes if people from outside the US know more about who is who than those of us inside. To us here Mandela holds such a revered status that "Mandela Bloopers" would almost be like "Dalai Lama Bloopers" or "Jesus Bloo---" :)

Oddly, the subject of the South African president has come up twice very recently. The other being the ample figures and colorful native dress of your First Ladies there.

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.
Having studied for, taken, and passed the exam, I think I have an understanding of the how the NCLEX is structured. I also know I was not tested on OB, psych, or pediatrics during my exam.

How was my overall competency tested when I was not asked to demonstrate competency in several crucial areas? Given that I went into the ER where I deal daily with OB, psychiatric, and pediatric patients, it seems to me even more distressing.

The NCLEX is a cake-walk. That may offend those who had to take the exam multiple times, but it does not change the fact that compared to the Bar, CPA, USMLE, or even the board exams engineers take, the NCLEX is laughable. Many people confuse the stress surrounding the exam and equate that with difficulty. They think high stress = a complex, difficult exam, but its just not the case.

And this really shouldn't surprise anyone. With the mentality still in place that nurses are in short supply, and that nurses need to be graduated and licensed as quickly as possible, it only makes sense that the licensing exam should measure only the absolute, bottom-of-the-barrel, minimum level of competency. And this should be less surprising still given the lack of understanding of what nursing is from the public and within the medical community. Nursing is often viewed as grunt work that requires special training, but does not necessarily require a high level of education. And, as it turns out, one does not need a high level of education to be a nurse. ( you can get it if you want, but it's certainly not necessary.) "We don't need rocket scientists!," they think. "We just need warm bodies to wipe butts!" If this forum is any indication, nurses are vehemently opposed to measures that would work to dispell this attitude. Increase educational requirements? U dont need a BSN 2 B a gud nurse! Make licensing more difficult? But so many can't pass the NCLEX as it is, and we can't crush their dreams!

I just don't understand the resistance to ideas that would elevate and add to our professional cachet, nor do I understand the uproar that ensues when one suggests that the NCLEX is such a poor indicator of competency that they should just give graduates licenses along with their degree. *shrug*

It appears that Canada may be going this route in the near future; streamlining the process making licensing national and issued with graduation instead of passing a registration exam.

I can't help but agree with much of your post and wonder why it takes some people so many tries to pass the entry to practice competencies, with the key word being "entry" - it's the bare minimum requirements, which, if student has been paying attention and applying oneself studiously then, theoretically, should be more than adequate preparation. For those that require more than one attempt well.... maybe you should re-think whether you're actually protecting the public by wanting to be a nurse.

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It appears that Canada may be going this route in the near future; streamlining the process making licensing national and issued with graduation instead of passing a registration exam.

I can't help but agree with much of your post and wonder why it takes some people so many tries to pass the entry to practice competencies, with the key word being "entry" - it's the bare minimum requirements, which, if student has been paying attention and applying oneself studiously then, theoretically, should be more than adequate preparation. For those that require more than one attempt well.... maybe you should re-think whether you're actually protecting the public by wanting to be a nurse.

I, generally, agree with your last statement. Although I'm willing to grant an applicant three tries. Even a seasoned and proficient test taker lets their nerves get the better of them once in a while, and sometimes **** just happens.

I think though that after three unsuccessful attempts, remedial course work needs to be completed before one can retest. I think this is fairest as it allows for the occasional screw up that happens to everyone, and also allows a chance for remediation for those whose program was less than stellar.

I'm surprised at the direction you think Canada is heading in, though. I would have thought their standards would have been a bit better than the US, but that's based on nothing but pure conjecture. I do happen to think that licensing and scope of practice should be nationalized just for consistency's sake, but I'm sure there are some good arguments against nationalization as well.

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Specializes in PACU, OR.
You'd be surprised at how many of my own countrypeople don't know their basic history/civics/government stuff! It seems sometimes if people from outside the US know more about who is who than those of us inside. To us here Mandela holds such a revered status that "Mandela Bloopers" would almost be like "Dalai Lama Bloopers" or "Jesus Bloo---" :)

Oddly, the subject of the South African president has come up twice very recently. The other being the ample figures and colorful native dress of your First Ladies there.

Er...yeah, I know...I posted it. Incidentally, sorry to disappoint all those large ladies eager to send in their resumes, President Zuma is currently engaged; while his culture permits multiple wives, there might be a problem with multiple fiances. Or maybe not???

:) Christine :)

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The NCLEX is a cake-walk. That may offend those who had to take the exam multiple times, but it does not change the fact that compared to the Bar, CPA, USMLE, or even the board exams engineers take, the NCLEX is laughable. Many people confuse the stress surrounding the exam and equate that with difficulty. They think high stress = a complex, difficult exam, but its just not the case.

key points here, esp the bolded.

i too, was another who found the nclex, much too easy.

i was done under 30 mins and that was with taking my time and even double checking.

i knew i passed, and didn't sweat it when waiting for results.

also strongly agree about raising the bar in entry to nsg.

not wanting to offend, it seems that many schools go with the lowest common denominator.

and that just should not be, when it comes to a profession that cares for very sick people.

that said, i have worked and met many nurses, where i wondered, "how the hell did you become a nurse?"

but hindsight has taught me, that it's truly not that difficult. :(

leslie

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Er...yeah, I know...I posted it.

You did not!!!:mad: Christine did! What have you done with Christine??

:) Christine :) Oh.:o

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I would just ignore her ignorance

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.
I'm surprised at the direction you think Canada is heading in, though. I would have thought their standards would have been a bit better than the US, but that's based on nothing but pure conjecture. I do happen to think that licensing and scope of practice should be nationalized just for consistency's sake, but I'm sure there are some good arguments against nationalization as well.

If you ever get bored and have nothing better to do, here is the proposal set out by the Canadian Nurses Association outlining their take on nursing reform but beware... it is stupid long and a bit of a dry read.

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If you ever get bored and have nothing better to do, here is the proposal set out by the Canadian Nurses Association outlining their take on nursing reform but beware... it is stupid long and a bit of a dry read.

Thanks for the link! It's been bookmarked.

Philosophy was a large part of my education, so I'm not scared off by a dry read. ;)

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