Nursing's image

[haitianrn]

I had a heated debate with my fiance last night which ended up in an argument about how the average person doesnt really know and appreciate what knowledge an RN has. He's not the type to bash anyone and what he was saying was true, but I just got so upset. I dont like the fact that like him, most people think the RN doesnt know much and basicall has to follow what the doc says and the doc has the final word. I explained to him the RN's responsibilities even when a DR may prescribe meds that the patient cant tolerate, for example. I explained that there are Nurse practitioners, but still, the argument was that to the average joe, an RN doesnt know much and the doc gets all the credit. I hate to admit, but Im starting to believe this. Before I entered the field, I also had the same perception, and thought that the medical assistanr, CNA, were all the same:"Nurses". I even went to a clinic once and the dr. referred to the

medical assisatnt as "the nurse". I am not happy about entering a field where I feel I always have to explain to people our importance is more than giving a bedpan and blindly following doctor's orders! Even one of my instructors bluntly said that 90% of the time, the nurse just passes medications. My jaw dropped.

On the other hand, I hear other instructors say that because they were an RN, they had banks look at them more favorably during a morgage application, and that in some cases, a bank may only ask you to put down 1000$! I said this to my fiance and he said nurses dont get that much respect in our society. What are your thoughts and experiences?

It'd be nice to be recognized and appreciated for my work, but at the end of the day, the important thing to me is performing m job well, getting paid decently, and flexibility.

[Eirene, ASN, RN]

I'm pretty lucky. I live in a small community; they always are positive when I tell them that I'm a nurse. The Amish surround us-- they are convinced that nurses know as much as the physicians. For some reason, they trust us a lot more.

I think it depends on where you live. I'm so fortunate to live in such a tight-knit community who appreciates what we do. I'm proud to be a nurse.

[interleukin]

"Even one of my instructors bluntly said that 90% of the time, the nurse just passes medications. My jaw dropped."

Although you may not have wanted to hear it, at times(perhaps not 90%) he/she was dead on.

When things are too busy(often) to monitor and detect small physiologic changes in a patient's condition, sometimes all you can do is get the meds out and pray nothing goes wrong.

We clamor for respect but have, and always will fight for legitimacy because our jobs are an inseparable mix of reasoned thought and plain old hard physical and dirty labor--and the two will never separate, at least in hospital nursing for the bedside RN and in the eyes of the general public.

Want respect, a good start will be knowing as much as possible and standing tall against situations that put your patient, your health and your license in jeopardy.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

"Even one of my instructors bluntly said that 90% of the time, the nurse just passes medications. My jaw dropped."

Although you may not have wanted to hear it, at times(perhaps not 90%) he/she was dead on.

When things are too busy(often) to monitor and detect small physiologic changes in a patient's condition, sometimes all you can do is get the meds out and pray nothing goes wrong.

.

*** Come to ICU. 1 or 2 patients only. You detect (or should) even small physiologic changes and intervene as needed.

[SarahRN123]

The image of nurses has changed dramatically since I first became an RN.

[GilaRRT]

Ok, we need to step back and gain a little perspective. Everybody is just an "average" person in some way or another. Do you know anything about what a bagging clerk does at your grocery store? What do you think when I say the work bag boy? I am sure you have preconceived thoughts about what the job entails; however, many of your thoughts may be wrong. Can you describe how things are rotated, the concept of facing, stocking, and maintaining the specials? How are items signed in, out, and how are items stored and moved around. What about accountability?

You see, most of us are ignorant when it comes to other jobs. I would hope a little role confusion regarding nursing and the general public's perception of nursing would not be enough to scare you away from nursing. I promise, you will face much more complicated obstacles in your career.

[llg, PhD, RN]

[i

We clamor for respect but have, and always will fight for legitimacy because our jobs are an inseparable mix of reasoned thought and plain old hard physical and dirty labor--and the two will never separate, at least in hospital nursing for the bedside RN and in the eyes of the general public.

Good point. That's really worth thinking about.

[interleukin]

*** Come to ICU. 1 or 2 patients only. You detect (or should) even small physiologic changes and intervene as needed.

Well, I've been in a level 1 ICU for 12 years. There are too many times one patient goes bad taking all of your concentration for extended periods of time. Then, all you can do is pray the other remains stable, the other nurses are not too busy to watch him or the charge nurse is out of the count providing the safety net, or you have a committed manager who will not hesitate to step in and get dirty.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I'm pretty lucky. I live in a small community; they always are positive when I tell them that I'm a nurse. The Amish surround us-- they are convinced that nurses know as much as the physicians. For some reason, they trust us a lot more.

I think it depends on where you live. I'm so fortunate to live in such a tight-knit community who appreciates what we do. I'm proud to be a nurse.

Those Amish have so much on the ball.

I've always admire them. They are role models for living, in my opinion.

[WhoNeedsaShot?]

I have never been one to care what "society" thinks. Its none of thier business what my job details are, just as its none of thier business whats in my bank account.

The only respect you should be seeking is that of your patients, and that will be earned by a job well done.

There are alot of diffenent professions and I don't know the "how to" of most of them, I am just thankful that someone does when I need them, be it my cable guy, or my auto mechanic that doesn't rip me of because I'm a single woman and don't know the difference between the oil cap, and the windshild washer fluid cap. ( I really do)

The point is, when we need help, and its provided accurately, do we really care what a persons educational level is, or how much they get paid?? No we are just glad that they were there and knew how to do it, without taking advantage of our not knowing how to do it ourself.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Most of my patients don't really understand all that I do. But the way I see it, they only see me for a few brief minutes here and there, giving them medications and listening to heart and lung sounds, helping them to the bathroom, bringing snacks and ice water and blankets. They do not see what I'm doing the rest of the time, all of the research I have to do before I even step into that room, so that I know their medical history, what their diagnosis is, what the treatment plan is, what their labs are, what medications they're on, and so on. They don't see me calling the doctor because a lab is off, or there has been a change in their condition. They don't see me with my three other patients doing the same things. They don't see me admitting and discharging. They don't see me putting out fires. They only see me for those few brief moments, giving them their pills. They frequently refer to the CNA as "the other nurse", and will tell me what "the other nurse" told them, or what they were asking "the other nurse" about. They have no clue how hard I work to keep them safe. All they see is me handing them pills or bringing an extra pillow.

I recently received a nice compliment from the daughter of a patient that I had cared for for a few nights in a row. She said "I just want to let you know much I, and my mother appreciate that when you come into this room, you bring with you such a sense of calm. We know you are busy, and that you have other patients, but when you come into this room, we feel like my mother is the only patient you have, and that you have all the time in the world to take care of her. I just want you to know how much we both appreciate that.". To me, that is what I want my patients to feel like, with a few exceptions.

Some patients who are exceptionally self centered and demanding, I prefer for them to know just how busy I am. But for the average patient who is experiencing a health crisis and is probably scared out of their gourd and would rather be at home, I want to present a calm, soothing face to them, so they don't really need to know all that is going on at that moment or all that I really do as a nurse, other than that I am there with and for them.

[november17, ASN, RN]

medical assisatnt as "the nurse". I am not happy about entering a field where I feel I always have to explain to people our importance is more than giving a bedpan and blindly following doctor's orders! Even one of my instructors bluntly said that 90% of the time, the nurse just passes medications. My jaw dropped.

On the other hand, I hear other instructors say that because they were an RN, they had banks look at them more favorably during a morgage application, and that in some cases, a bank may only ask you to put down 1000$! I said this to my fiance and he said nurses dont get that much respect in our society. What are your thoughts and experiences?

It'd be nice to be recognized and appreciated for my work, but at the end of the day, the important thing to me is performing m job well, getting paid decently, and flexibility.

To be honest, I don't bother explaining what I do to people. I rarely will say the word, "RN" , I just leave it at, "I work in a hospital." It is really an unsung profession. Your best bet is to just not let that sort of stuff get to you. If you're thinking you're going to gain some sort of greater respect in society due to your job title, you may be in for disappointment.

As far as banks looking at you more favorably, I seriously doubt it. You may be looked at more favorably due to your steady employment opportunities.

I do know cops will often let nurses off easier during traffic stops, but I think that's about it as far as professional courtesy. I've also had physicians that will get a bit more technical in explanations.