nursing image

Agnus · Sep 2, 2003

Originally posted by bernadettes
I just read an interesting chapter on presenting ourselves as nurses that encourages nurses to act in the following ways:
1. Introduce ourselves to patients using both first and last names and identify ourselves as that patient's registerd nurse for the day.
2. Encouraging collegues (other nurses and physicians) to refer to nurses using the title "Nurse". For example, "Nurse Smith will be right back."
3. When calling physicians, we act assertively and tell them the patient's condition without apologizing for bothering them.
4. Nurses should not automatically clean up after physicians.
5.Nurses should dress professionally and not in child-like prints and colors. The authors suggest wearing solid scrubs with a lab coat.

Tell me what you think of this???

Could not agree more. The ONLY possible exception is when a nurse is working with young children then Maybe the prints are appropriate and even helpful.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2003

I prefer solid colors myself, but would not judge another person by the print on their clothes. And I think calling someone "Nurse" is childish. I agree we should work on our image, but believe it can be done by acting professional. Would you refer to your Unit Clerk or Respiratory Tech by their title? Can't we just treat everyone with courtesy and respect?

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2003

I agree with all points with just one exception. I do not wish to be known as Nurse Smith. Although it does define who we are (as opposed to the cleaning crew), it sounds too stuffy for me.

You could just as easily say, "Your nurse for the day, Jane, will be right with you." I feel I am too young to be referred to as Mrs. Smith as well.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 2, 2003

Speaking of the name thing, a nurse on another floor hands out cards to her pts. every night. It has her name on it, job title, what time she got there, and what time her shift is up, and a big smiley face at the bottom.

Anyone think this is too much?

DMR1 · Sep 2, 2003

If we wore lab coats, we'd all be called doctors :)

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 2, 2003

I like the idea of the off-going and on-coming nurses rounding together, the one leaving introducing the one taking over. and then the one taking over putting his/her name on a greaseboard in the patient's room, along with title RN or LPN. THAT TO ME is VERY PROFESSIONAL and REASSURING TO patients, to know when their nurse is leaving and who is taking over and to see the name on the wall if she forgets who her nurse is. In OB this works well, anyhow. Dressing the part helps, but I have nothing against printed jackets. I DO have a lot against long nails, chewing gum, excessive jewelry and loud makeup and perfume as well as unprofessional behavior (e.g. gossiping at the nurses' station). THOSE THINGS destroy our credibility quicker than scrub patterns can or will. I see it more and more all the time and it is upsetting to me.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Sep 2, 2003

Originally posted by Agnus
Could not agree more. The ONLY possible exception is when a nurse is working with young children then Maybe the prints are appropriate and even helpful.

Big fat ditto ! I LIKE it !!! Agree about pediatric scrubs, too. Not too sure I like "Nurse Smith" although it WOULD be "DOCTOR Smith", right? Think BluEyes' thoughts nurses rounding and introductions, as well as the greasboard in patient's room are wonderful and truly wish that were implemented in hospitals everywhere.

I really, REALLY agree with not being aplogetic when calling the doc... why SHOULD we be? Seriously.. THINK about it !

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2003

I have no opinion about the scrubs.

Not sure I want the "Nurse" title. But that is probably because it's different and it would be a change. So I'm undecided.

Definately agree with the "I'm sorry to bother you....." I gently chastise nurses when I hear them do that.

What is it with MD's going in a room and doing a procedure and then leaving the mess. Excuse me, we don't have maid service here.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 2, 2003

Good post, Tweety.I agree. No apologies for doing our job and no we are NOT the Ramada or Burger King and they DO NOT GET TO HAVE IT THEIR WAY or NO WAY......

But it takes being ASSERTIVE to be a good nurse, I think. This is not always easy but can be learned.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Sep 2, 2003

So Tweety...

any recommendations? Do you say anything to the doc about his procedure messes? I mean... do they really respect us and our time so little that they just ASSUME it's up to us to clean up after them as if we have nothing better to do with our time and our gazillion patients? How do you confront this issue in your practice?

Just curious 'cuz I'll be going to work some PRN medsurge soon and need all the tips and do's and don'ts I can get....

Also, I'm getting to that point in life where I have very little time or use for disrespectful, inconsiderate BS. When I was young, I used to just smile and take it... but funny how when you reach a certain age, you get so much bolder... or as Smiling so aptly put it.. ASSERTIVE. Heh... some good things DO come with age after all.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 2, 2003

jnette from what I see here, you are more than capable of holding your own.....

you are articulate and strong. You will just fine.....

really.

welcome back to hospital nursing.