Nursing Stereotypes and a Dumb Society

[abbaking]

I have noticed a few nursing stereotypes lately from patients, visitors and even my own friends (some of then are also nurses). Its very annoying

Stereotypes include:

1. A nurse is a nurse is a nurse

2. Angel's of mercy

3. Naughty Nurse (Please, my fellow sisters - FIGHT THIS ONE - This is the worst, in my opinion)

4. Un-educated, misinformed handmaiden

5. All purpose hospital slave

6. Men in nursing are all gay

Perhaps I never paid much attention, but recently I have noticed alot of this. We, as a profession, need some realistic PR.

I went out for coffee with a friend of mine. I was describing my hectic shift with post-op's, documentation and new admits. In all a very busy and routine shift. My friend works in retail. No matter how much I told her of the hard physical, mental and emotional labor involved - she seemed to downplay my job. "It can't be that hard - You work night shift, all the patients are asleep", "Two patients in ICU is easy- what are you complaining for", or "All you have to do is follow what the doctor says and it will be fine".

Makes me mad!!!

Just my

[Info(RN)matics]

The thing that's always confused me about this is that nurses are consistently rated as some of the most trusted professionals in the world. Trusted to do what? If the perception is one of simpleton, what is there to trust?

Good point!

I also don't understand why all this trust does not show up on the nurses' column in institutional patient-satisfaction surveys.

[hearts895, RN BSN]

This is enlightening to hear about - I wasn't aware that such negative nursing stereotypes were still so prevalent. As a student who will be entering the workplace, I know its good to be aware of what attitudes people have about nurses. I don't personally mind a "angel of mercy" stereotype - I hope I live up to that standard - but thats just me :) I guess I'm in a bit of a bubble here in college - most college people have a great deal of respect for the nursing major as they are aware of the high grades and difficult pre-reqs & actual classes that are required for nursing students. I can see though, that the general public isn't aware of all nurses do

[ORNurseAngie]

? why not follow a heroic float nurse who can legitimately work in ob one day and er the next? or a travel nurse who can legitimately work in reno one season and nyc the next?

haha instead of the real housewives of orange county and the other locations, how about the real nurses of new jersey and various other locals following a group of floor nurses and watch what nurses really do. although i doubt anyone would watch it besides nurses. i doubt it would change anything people are content in their own stupidity for the most part.

[Info(RN)matics]

There are a few close-to-real videos here: http://www.nursetv.com/

No points for guessing why they're not popular :)

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

the thing that's always confused me about this is that nurses are consistently rated as some of the most trusted professionals in the world. trusted to do what? if the perception is one of simpleton, what is there to trust?

scary!!!

:eek:

[justavolunteer]

I am 'justavolunteer' and the things I have heard from my relatives about nurses can be truly amazing. One of my relatives, an RN herself, took a leave due to a difficult pregnancy. When she went back, she was guaranteed a job somewhere, but not necessarily on her old unit. She got her old spot back because they couldn't find anyone to fill it (on a tele unit). It was amazing to me that some other relatives said "but nursing is so easy, why would the spot still be open?" I tried to tell them, "No nursing is HARD, THAT'S why the spot was still open".

I have a college degree myself, but my brain would explode trying to learn half of what a nurse needs to know!

[Claritee]

It's so sad! I've heard people say, "Nurses are just babysitters" or "If you don't know what you wanna do when you grow up, just be a nurse. They get paid for nothing". The stereotypes can be really frustrating, but it's obvious that these people have no idea what they're talking about.

[Info(RN)matics]

We need to have a realistic and strong professional self-concept to deal with these kinds of stereotypes.

We may not be able to change the world, but we may be able to change the way we react to the world if we modify our own thought-processes appropriately.

[leslie :-D]

The thing that's always confused me about this is that nurses are consistently rated as some of the most trusted professionals in the world. Trusted to do what? If the perception is one of simpleton, what is there to trust?

i honestly believe the public sees us as eternally compassionate, and not challenged to use our minds.

that is why i resent the 'merciful angel' image so much.

leslie

[VivaRN]

Yes, that one can be a nurse because they are "so caring" devalues the fact that nursing also requires SERIOUS BRAINS. Smart people who don't know what nurses do don't choose nursing because they don't see it as intellectually stimulating. Hence the praise for the young person aspiring to be an MD vs. aspiring to be a nurse. Hence when the med student is praised and asked what he did that day vs. the nursing student being ignored or condescended to. Nurses are invisible to the majority of the public.

[Info(RN)matics]

Personally, I think unsung heroes are the real heroes.

Not only do we meet the challenges of our demanding job with poise, we also tackle the condescension and negativity and stereotypes with dignity!

[Dixiecup]

Wow, you don't like the "naughty nurse"? That's my favorite one!

I use that to my advantage quite often!