Nursing: What it is not

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Hello!

I am in my first semester of nursing school and am currently writing my first paper for theories. It is an adaptation of Notes on Nursing in which we clarify our own definitions of what nursing is and what it is not.

While writing about what nursing is not, my mind was flooded with ideas. For example, nursing is not female only, nurses are not wanna-be doctors (different wording, of course), nursing is not glorified babysitting, etc etc.

I am curious what your thoughts are (as nurses) regarding what nursing is not. I love reading stuff like this and hearing peoples opinions.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts! I respect all of you so much and am excited to read about what you think!

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

It's not martyrdom. It is perfectly fine to pee when you need to, and it's perfectly fine to take your lunch break.

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Specializes in Surgical, Home Infusions, HVU, PCU, Neuro.

Nurses are not just assigned one patient, you will be fine with waiting for the ice you have requested while I'm coding the patient next to you

Nurses are not going to please everybody everytime

Nurses are not mind readers ESP is not taught in school

Nurses are not servants you wiped your own hiney before being admitted, you're here for your leg, your arms still work

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The classic and probably one that will get you some credit with you professor/instructor is discussing the unique role nurses play in healthcare aside from following physician orders.

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Specializes in school nurse.

It is not about theories. I'm very sorry that they're still teaching that crap.

I suppose non hands-on academic nurses have to perpetuate their jobs somehow though...

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Specializes in M/S, Pulmonary, Travel, Homecare, Psych..

Oh, one that came to mind for me right away that might not be popular with your instructors:

Nursing is not about "customer service."

I could drone on and on about this: They're patients, not customers. No one chooses to be in need of nursing care (One does not drive through the hospital curb service and order a week of COPD exacerbation, with a side of GI upset). We push health, and being healthy often includes not getting your way (No Mr. Diabetic with a 415 rapid glucose, I won't fetch you a ice cream).................

Don't get me started.

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- It isn't always/only hand-holding, mopping brows, and wearing hearts on sleeves (i.e. behaving in an overtly emotive fashion), but thinking and acting and interacting purposefully.

- It's not only about sickness, but also about what it means to be well.

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