Obama assists at St. Louis hospital

Nurses General Nursing

Published

st. louis, june 10 (upi) -- presumptive democratic presidential nominee sen. [color=#224455]barack obama, d-ill., assisted nursing staff tuesday at a st. louis hospital as part of a tour.

obama spent about 90 minutes assisting nurse kate marzluf at barnes-jewish hospital while she cared for five patients in the hospital's cardiology unit. all of the patients had agreed in advance to allow obama to help with their care, the st. louis post-dispatch reported tuesday.

reporters and hospital officials looked on as obama got to work about 7 a.m., taking off his jacket and rolling up his shirt sleeves. his work is part of a two-week tour of workplaces entitled "change that works for you."

Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg.

I posted a link about this yesterday, on another thread. Here is expanded coverage, including video highlights, from KSDK:

http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=147903

THANK YOU Jenlanna!!! I feel the same way. Don't knock Obama for getting down on our level. Of course he didn't deal with the grimes of the profession but at least he showed interest. That's something that can't be said of everybody. And who cares who did what first: they're not teenagers!:angryfire

Specializes in LTC.

I think it's kind of interesting that he took this on. It's a shame he didn't do a full arrive at 7am with the nurse and leave with the nurse whenever she left.

It's a great idea that he want's to see how Americans make their money, but you really don't know what a person goes through at work until you spend an entire shift with them.

If he'd spent an entire shift, it would be, "Well you don't know know until you spend a week." He got a glimpse, and he's getting a glimpse of what other working people are doing. He's showing an interest, which is more than can be said of others.

Specializes in ICU.

Let the dog and pony show begin.....:uhoh3:

Specializes in none.
THANK YOU Jenlanna!!! I feel the same way. Don't knock Obama for getting down on our level. Of course he didn't deal with the grimes of the profession but at least he showed interest. That's something that can't be said of everybody. And who cares who did what first: they're not teenagers!:angryfire

I agree. I wasn't trying to create opposition. Thats just what the news reel kept emphasizing. I was more concerned about Public Helathcare and what it would mean for our profession. If anything, I'm very concerned and would like to know what his plans for healthcare entails. But I'm very happy that elected officials are getting a taste of what work is like for Blue collar women. And even more so I'm thrilled they were investigating what our lives are like.

Specializes in none.

I for one, just want to know what Obama's healthcare plans are?? I have heard many terrible things about universal healthcare. How does this affect those working in hospitals?? Where is the government getting the money to pay for all Americans to have healthcare?? Does that mean less jobs for nurses or more??

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
Let the dog and pony show begin.....:uhoh3:

I agree! This is a meaningless photo-op. I don't fault Obama for taking it. Both he and John McCain will be engaging in all kinds of meaningless campaign behavior over the next several months: eating in diners, kissing babies, shadowing teachers, nurses, factory workers, etc. That is simply the nature of American politics.

His spending a few hours with a nurse will teach him no more about American healthcare than my shadowing him would qualify me for a Senate seat. What IS important is the quality and experience of the advisors he chooses. Unfortunately, we probably won't know who they are until after the election.

Specializes in LTC.
Wow. 90 minutes. What a hero. :rolleyes:

I agree with KingRat. We all know [sarcastic] he's got WAY MORE TIME than a meagerly 90 minutes. All of the OTHER politicians volunteer MONTHS, even YEARS of their time. [/sarcastic]

He rolled up his sleeves and got into it in the time he was alloted. Whether you support him (I don't), or not, at lease give the guy credit for that.

i saw a picture of him carryimg a tray to a patient, i agree with jolie this is just the tip of the iceberg, before november we will obama and mccain doing all kinds of stuff that doesn't mean a thing

in the end they will have learned nothing and forgotten what they should have done

Only 5 patients? I want to work there!!!

Specializes in med-surg, telemetry,geriatrics.

he also knows about the demographics of St. Louis and missouri is an important state for their vote power in the presidential election

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