SC_rn4

It has already gained momentum and nation attention - why not jump on the bandwagon and use that attention to push your platform of "real change" for the nursing profession. That seems more logical to me that slamming this movement. Especially considering that fact that it sounds like you want issues in nursing to come to light and not continue to be shoved under the rug.

While I do believe there were some good points made in this letter, I have to say I also disagree with a few things. As another commentor previously stated, you must take a historical perspective to the field of nursing and see just have far it has really come in promoting best practice and patient saftey even just in the past few decades. This shows there are dedicated professionals working together for change - and that the change is sticking. I think the biggest problem I have with this letter is that the cause keeps getting dismissed as "superficial" or diregarded because it doesn't address the real problems of the profession. Were the comments of one TV show host uniformed and disrespectful? Absolutely. But this movement that has spawned out of those comments actually shows how the medical community can unite. Look at the posts that go with the hashtags, glance through the pictures on the Facebook groups. You will see not only RNs, but medical assistants, physicians, patients ect. showing their support for the nursing community. As you say in the letter, nurses are "talked down to" on a daily basis - this group should be a comfort to you. It shows that physicians really do respect and rely on their nurses and medical team. It shows that you really do have an impact on the lives of your patients and their families. No, this may not be an act of Congress and it may not move mountains in the medical field. However, I do believe it shows a united front and that in itself is a positive outcome.

Unfortunately not. While I am in the office I am always working with my doctor so I don't have the opportunity to spend the day in the lab. That's why a weekend shadowing or refresher opportunity would be the best option for me. I wish I had time to follow our lab girls during the day as that would make this easier, but I dont.

Hi! I am currently and RN working in an ob/gyn office. We have a lab that does all of our blood draws. However, we were recently told they could no longer draw our genetic screenings as they go to a separate labs - so we have to do them. I have received VERY limited training on blood draws in school, and obviously have not been doing them for the last year at my office as the lab was responsible for this. I know the technique, but am not at all confident in performing them. We practiced on our co-workers, but unfortunately they were all blessed with incredibly easy veins to stick. Any nurses in the Greenville SC area know of a place that offers a short refresher course (the phlebotomy training courses at Greenville tech are extremely long and rather pricey)? Or somewhere I could shadow for a weekend to refine my skills? Any help is greatly appreciated!!