First of all, thank you very much for your time concerning this matter.
Every year, Ocean City, NJ has an event similar to "groundhog day" but with a hermit crab named "MARTIN Z. MOLLUSK."
This year, the crab will be "checked out by Dr. Ernest Frankenstein and two nurses."
The following is a Media Advisory sent out (via email) by the city of Ocean City (to local residents and tourists-nationwide) which includes more of the information about the event to take place on May 5th.
As you can see when you read...much of this is "all made up and all in good fun" HOWEVER- do you think it is offensive to nurses and an objectionable portrayal to those in health-care!
MEDIA ADVISORY
WILL MARTIN Z. MOLLUSK SEE HIS SHADOW ON MAY 5?
WHO: Martin Z. Mollusk, Ocean City's relatively famous Hermit Crab
WHAT: Will attempt to see his shadow for the 37th Time
WHEN: Thursday, May 5 at 11 a.m.
WHERE: 9th Street Beach, opposite the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace
WHY: If he sees his shadow summer comes one week early to Ocean City much to the delight of visitors, merchants and the general populace.
DETAILS: (1) Dr. Ernest Frankenstein and two nurses will check out Martin on the beach to make certain that at 111 years of age he is healthy enough to endure the arduous creep (2) The Ocean City High School Band will play Pomp and Circumstance as Martin is carried to the beach (3.) The World's Only Wind Chimes Band of Ocean City will perform "Brother Can You Spare a Chime," now Number One on the International Wind Chimes Charts, (4) Some Enchanted Morning, Martin's theme song will be sung by popular musician Lew London and Suzanne Muldowney aka Underdog before Martin attempts to see his shadow (5) Big Mamma Llama of Bready's Farms in Tuckahoe will shake her head if Martin sees his shadow (6) Copies of Martin's re-issued biography, Rhyme and Punishment, will be given to those in attendance ( 7) Trash Buster, the City's Canned Crusader, will clear the beach of any litter prior to the creep (8.) Arrgh! The Air Circus Pirate will provide security for the event.
Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.
Maybe I have to be in NJ to get it, Im so lost. o_O. Im not offended at all. It just sounds like a good time to me. Ive seen nurses disrespected in many ways worse than this. Even the waitresses at Heart Attack Grill wouldve been a better argument, (waitresses dress up like nurses there). I dont know, I could be missing something.
if you get a chance, please read "from silence to voice" by bernice buresh and suzanne gordon. we, as nurses, need to advocate for the portrayal of the nursing profession. nursing students and nurses work hard to get where they are and we need to convey that are highly skilled and very knowledgeable. (meanwhile...there are also shows like gray's anatomy on the television where nurses don't even exist...). our future depends upon a realistic and respectful portrayal of the nursing profession...
Are you concerned re the possible inappropriate attire since it is on the beach . Are the "two nurses" dressing in skimpy bikinis ?? Then I would agree they would be misrepresnting most of us.:) . This is all in fun for these I hardly think anyway is going to view the medical profession esp nurses in light of this spoof.
Not offended in the least bit. Seems like it's being blown way out of proportion/ making an issue out of a non-issue. I have better things to worry about than the public possibly thinking that I assist in examining hermit crabs for a quirky local holiday...
I could care less about the silly tv shows too. If we took all television that misrepresented a profession off the air, all we'd be left with is awful "reality" tv (which a side of humanity worse than anything writers can come up with). ::shudder::
Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.
i, too, do not see the problem. i get the nursing advocacy angle and how nurses are portrayed in important - but, this is one circumstance that is not problematic for me. there are many issues that impact nurses - if we flare up over one like this one - it might be hard to get the "support" for the real issues. pick your battleground and dig in! everyone is entitled to their own position and i totally respect that - good luck.
Um.... ok number one - if you have an issue with this then I am sure you are the type of person that tells people in cheaply made slutty nurse halloween costumes that they are not really nurses....
number 2 - OP has 3 posts total. One is kvetching about this event and the other two are identical plugs for a book....
I don't see anything offensive about it. Perhaps you are looking at this from the wrong perspective. If anything I think this views nursing in a positive light and brings out the team effort that health care really is. They could have simply said Dr. SoandSo will be examing the crab, but they include nurses. What do you want them to do? List the two nurses by name and then list 20 letters after their names for certifications? If you find it so offensive call the public relations office and let them know, but you can probably figure out that by most of the responses that your position is in the minority.
I hope they don't change anything. It is getting a little irritating that to do anything in today's society you have to walk on eggshells not to offend anyone. This is a tradition of a Jersey shore town that is all in good fun. You make it out to be they are putting nursing down as a profession.
Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN
557 Posts
Maybe I have to be in NJ to get it, Im so lost. o_O. Im not offended at all. It just sounds like a good time to me. Ive seen nurses disrespected in many ways worse than this. Even the waitresses at Heart Attack Grill wouldve been a better argument, (waitresses dress up like nurses there). I dont know, I could be missing something.