It's time to change the term "nurse." It doesn't fit with the male image of nursing, and more and more men are coming into the field of nursing. I just can't think of another term. Our vocabulary just doesn't seem to have another term that would fit both sexes.
"Medic" doesn't work, because it has a military connotation and medics are more like EMTs or paramedics, and nursing is far more than a medic. We provide the care people need when they are sick.
"Caregiver", though, sounds like a volunteer or a family member.
"Registered Healthcare Provider" sounds like an MD, or an insurance company.
"Registerd Medical Technician" is not a professional status. Technicians do tasks; nurses assess and make care plans based on their findings. Not to mention, patient education, care coordination, and supervision of, in fact, med techs.
Anyone have any good ideas? I'm sure the elderly female nurses at the ANA would welcome our suggestions with open arms! :rotfl:
I just get miffed when I'm confused for the flight attendant.
"Many nurses also entered the profession. In the pioneering days of air travel, only nurses were hired. Because in-flight medical emergencies could always happen and flying at lower altitudes through "air pockets" meant for more airsickness, nurses continued to be favored."
The very first "stewardess' were nurses. It was an RN who created this exciting and new career opportunity for women. I think with some airlines, being an RN was a requirement up until the 70's. Some criteria for becoming a "stewardess" paralleled requirements for nurses in the early days (single, a certain age).
Flight attendants struggle with similar recognition problems as nurses do. It's a primarily female field, but with many more men nowadays than in the past. They are trained to ensure passenger safety, provide basic emergency care 30,000 feet in the air, and in most recent years, trained to "deal with air rage and terrorists." It's also a physically demanding job.
I had an aunt who worked for the now long defunct Pan Am. She was an RN who traveled the world. When I was 21 she tried to talk me into becoming a flight attendent. If I wasn't so terrified of flying at that time, that's probably what I'd be doing today (these days take-offs are my favorite part!). I have a good friend who's a flight attendent and works for AA. They are forever fighting stereotypes just like nurses.
"Medic" doesn't work, because it has a military connotation and medics are more like EMTs or paramedics, and nursing is far more than a medic. We provide the care people need when they are sick.
Wow! Mr. Nurse, I didn't know that he wasn't sick when I had to drop a tube down his throat in order for him to breath and Atropine into an EJ in for his heart to beat effectively, and then the dopamine for pressures, and the.....
I guess thats two years of nursing school down the drain.
Well, since you ask, all of nursing is really a "male" endeavor. It's heavy, it requires scientific thinking, decision making, accountability, and these kind of traits are traditionally found in male dominated occupations.
I believe, in fact, that nursing started out as a male profession, but it reversed around the time of the Civil War (Please correct me if I am wrong.)
So, the male image of nursing would be the original image of nursing.
Well, since you ask, all of nursing is really a "male" endeavor. It's heavy, it requires scientific thinking, decision making, accountability, and these kind of traits are traditionally found in male dominated occupations.
I believe, in fact, that nursing started out as a male profession, but it reversed around the time of the Civil War (Please correct me if I am wrong.)
So, the male image of nursing would be the original image of nursing.
Ever heard of Florence Nightengale and the Crimian War?
Well buddy, you're certainly entitled to your opinion, but IMHO, this statement makes women sound weak. You say this to my wife, and you'll be walking around carrying something in your pocket, and it won't be loose change! Did I mention that you'll also be a soprano? I don't consider her weak. :)
Well, buddy, you need to follow the string, and maybe then you'd see the rest of my opinion (for what it's worth.)
Once again, I'm caught PWE--Posting While Exhausted. Forgive me.:selfbonk:
:rotfl: I've got that too, so I'd best be very thoughtful about what I post until I can get another nap in.
No need to change the name. Nurse is pretty specific and fits in fine with my image of what nursing should be. I'm proud to be called a nurse.
I see the point, when one says "nurse", one usually thinks of a female. But as was said above, what image pops in your head when I say "police". Usually it's probably a male that's in your head? But no need to change the name.
You got that right, buddy: the babes of the ANA would indeed go for some name changes ...
Years ago, when in nursing school, I was assigned some readings in a journal. (Maybe AJN? I'm not sure). At any rate, they had an opinion column, and that month's writer was suggesting a similar name change. She was pushing for "Medical Remediologist," I think. She thought it would create a frenzy among us guys because we could put the initials "MR" after our names. (The "MR" designation would only apply to men, in her scheme). I don't think that Medical Remediologist has yet been adopted by any states or provinces. Yet.
Let's stick with RN. Yes, every guy who's an RN has had the inevitable dumb questions, but we're big boys, and we can handle it. Nursing has a proud history. I'm proud to be part of that history.
Jim Huffman, RN
Good post. I think I will look into the history of nursing more.
OP, Why would you be so concerned about the "image" of nursing? I didn't become an RN to showcase an image or to have some kind of status attached to it. Did you? A nurse is a nurse is a nurse. Male or female. I am proud to be called a nurse. Just because more men are coming into the nursing profession doesn't mean we should rename the profession.
Look, when I was a CNA and in nursing school, it got back to me that a nurse at the LTC facility where I was working said about me, "Why would a man want to work around all these old women patients, anyway?" Insinuating that only a perversion would drive me to want to be a nurse. When only 5.4% of nursing is represented by men, we are naturally seen as off the beaten path. So image does matter to me.
As for my reasons for going into nursing, I did it for the glory.
"Medic" doesn't work, because it has a military connotation and medics are more like EMTs or paramedics, and nursing is far more than a medic. We provide the care people need when they are sick.
Wow! Mr. Nurse, I didn't know that he wasn't sick when I had to drop a tube down his throat in order for him to breath and Atropine into an EJ in for his heart to beat effectively, and then the dopamine for pressures, and the.....
I guess thats two years of nursing school down the drain.
Sorry, man, I don't mean to offend you, but paramedics have a very limited role in the care of a patient compared to that of a nurse. I appreciate the work they do, but they are not nurses. Therefore, I wouldn't want nurses to take on the name, medic (or registered medic). Paramedic is not deemed one of the learned professions by the Bureau of Labor; registered nurse is. I think your use of the term Mr. Nurse shows that you, too also recognize the difference between the medic and the professional nurse.
begalli
1,277 Posts
"Many nurses also entered the profession. In the pioneering days of air travel, only nurses were hired. Because in-flight medical emergencies could always happen and flying at lower altitudes through "air pockets" meant for more airsickness, nurses continued to be favored."
http://www.wilder.org/goodage/RememberWhen/stewardess704.html
The very first "stewardess' were nurses. It was an RN who created this exciting and new career opportunity for women. I think with some airlines, being an RN was a requirement up until the 70's. Some criteria for becoming a "stewardess" paralleled requirements for nurses in the early days (single, a certain age).
Flight attendants struggle with similar recognition problems as nurses do. It's a primarily female field, but with many more men nowadays than in the past. They are trained to ensure passenger safety, provide basic emergency care 30,000 feet in the air, and in most recent years, trained to "deal with air rage and terrorists." It's also a physically demanding job.
I had an aunt who worked for the now long defunct Pan Am. She was an RN who traveled the world. When I was 21 she tried to talk me into becoming a flight attendent. If I wasn't so terrified of flying at that time, that's probably what I'd be doing today (these days take-offs are my favorite part!). I have a good friend who's a flight attendent and works for AA. They are forever fighting stereotypes just like nurses.
Give 'em some credit!