Margaretm

Hi, It is about time we as nurses start looking at the core of the nursing issue and finally address the real issue of our profession, for that I salute you. I think if you and or your institution are looking at the cause of the tolerance of "short staffing" this is a great begining to address the state of our profession indeed. (1) Nurses are as a whole inferior beings and act as such, statements like "I am only a nurse" tell the world what we think of ourselves. Have you ever heard a lawyer, doctor say "I am only a lawyer, doctor etc" We do not own our profession therfore we will continue to "be only." The truth is we as nurses are far superior to most other professionals, we imporivize, we cover for inefficient doctors, inept supervisors, yes work short staffed, advocate for patient's, keep abreast of the medical regime, keep abreast of our patient's needs and as they say the list goes on and on. (2) Most nurse do not advocate for themselves and short staffing is but a very small part of the state of our profession. However if we really deal with this issue it may be the crucial vehicle that finally gets us on the road to empowerment as true professionals. (3) Our beginings were humble "handmaiden if the physician" we agree, however we can if we give ourselves permission move beyond that label, it is time (4) There have been many strides to advance the practice of nursing over the years but it has only created division among us, for example NP programs. NP are recognised as practitioners in their right but RN's remain perceivd as "lesser than." (5) Our profession has been put upon historically and we act like true survivors of a group that has been abused, used, disrespected, and submissive. We attack each other, "eat our young" and generally forget where we came from once we have any role of empowerment. The Solution Empower all nurses Who does this? We do, we can and we will Good luck let me know how you succeed

I agee 100% something about taking the high road, there are certainly many times where we need to be judgemental and/or critical A job well done is always a job well done

Hey there everyone,http://www.littleflower.org/devotion/reflection.asp?DATE=9/20/2006[bANANA][/bANANA] Bad habits are bad habits period. Everyone has them, no exceptions. That is fact. Yes, some are more obvious than others, some more harmful. We are a nation of overindulgers, why wouldn't nurses be any diffferent??? We all like people for who they are. A great nurse is still a great nurse encompassing those qualities we need when we are ill. When we do not like someone ( eg. nurse) we will focus on the traits they have, that we do not like and I think that is where the judgement comes from, that is "unhealthy" nurses..bad example Maybe we should look at our own bad habits sometimes