December 2005 -- Mattel, the world's leading toy maker, has just released as part of its Furryville Collections (Series 2) a small doll called the "Nurse Quacktitioner."
Selling a doll called "Nurse Quacktitioner" would seem to reflect little regard for nurses or public health. That's because the name suggests that nurse practitioners (NPs) are "quacks," a term that has long been understood to refer to untrained persons who pretend to be physicians and dispense medical treatment.
I have to admit, at first I was offended until I saw that it was a duck. I doubt very much they intended it to insult NPs.
I wonder what other professions they've managed to portray with their little furry thingies. Any guesses?
I don't know about this company, but if you remember the treasure trolls from the early '90s, well I used to have one of a doctor--this was when I was pre-med. I called him Troogie Trowser (obviously after the tv show doogie howser). He actually brought me quite a bit of good luck when I started taking him to my exams. Unfortunately some bastage stold him from me.
I can't say I'm particularly offended by this doll.
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
hi there, you bunch of insecure wannabees! i am a doctor from the uk and have to say that mattel sure got you! couldn't say it better - "quacktitioner" - that about sums it up! the louder you scream, the more it becomes obvious how correct the title is. wanna do good in your job? try nursing patients - now here's a thought ... wanna play doctor? go to med school. simple, innit?
It is this general training that Nurse Practitioners are missing - meaning that no matter how knowledgable (sic) and experienced they are they will still miss important issues and diagnoses outside their speciality. For this reason, I argue that it is correct to describe Nurse Practitioners as Quacks (An untrained person masquerading as a physician) because they do not have the rounded training necessary to consider all the issues and diagnoses possible.
Don't back down in the face of pressure - you have the support of British Doctors!!
I just don't get the attitudes of some physicians. Granted, these are quotes from the physicians from the UK, but, I have a feeling the US docs feel the same on some level.
And, all of this over a stupid doll. I suppose they (physicians) don't have a "real" agenda and must stoop to the level of doll-bashing to further their agenda.
All of this - and thousands of other things boil down to the increasing expectations of political correctness. Personally - I think it's all gone too far. Nobody has a sense of humor anymore, people are afraid to say what they think and God (or Allah or whatever you call him (or her) if I have to be politically correct about it) forbid ANYBODY have an opinion!
We teach tolerance - why tolerance? Tolerance is the lowest possible level of acceptance. Tolerance says "I have to put up with you but I don't have to like it". Why not teach ACCEPTANCE? Why not appreciate and value the differences in people? Why all the political correctness in an attempt to homogonize people? Why does everyone have to be the same? That's what Tolerance is about - making people all the same, turning people into robots.
You know - if someone makes a joke about me or something I happen to be affiliated with that's fine - I can laugh right along with them. Getting all puffed up about nothing is just a waste of energy all the way around. Why not put that energy to work in places where it matters and makes a difference?
WELL SAID!!!! Nice to see someone finally SAY it (actually, you beat me to it!!). Couldn't agree with you more.
I'm more offended at the statements that the doctors made than I am the doll. I'm not crazy about the term "Quacktitioner", but the context it was used in wasn't really all that offensive. Now if it was used in print to describe how someone felt about NP's, then yes that is highly offensive. Like someone else said, I'm suprised Mattel even knew what an NP was, as so many people don't.
I can appreciate what the NA is trying to do for the image of nursing, but some of thier campaigns are overdone. I mean to pick apart every little TV show and ad about nursing is a bit petty IMO. Sometimes such pettiness may end up drawing more negative attention than postive.
Because that demands that we accept people as they are, with all of their faults and genuis, and work together to make the world a better place.
It means we have to think and give up our preconceived notions about others.
Yes, it's a toy, and a silly play on words. The people to direct your outrage to are the 11 UK physicians who reached new lows with the campaign to foster distrust with NP's.
Was it Mark Twain who said "I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed person"? Their reaction proves to me that those eleven individuals are morons. And if they were MY doctors, I'd find new ones immediately.
When people are insecure, they make fun of others. Guess these doctors are peeing their pants in FEAR.
All of this - and thousands of other things boil down to the increasing expectations of political correctness. Personally - I think it's all gone too far. Nobody has a sense of humor anymore, people are afraid to say what they think and God (or Allah or whatever you call him (or her) if I have to be politically correct about it) forbid ANYBODY have an opinion!
We teach tolerance - why tolerance? Tolerance is the lowest possible level of acceptance. Tolerance says "I have to put up with you but I don't have to like it". Why not teach ACCEPTANCE? Why not appreciate and value the differences in people? Why all the political correctness in an attempt to homogonize people? Why does everyone have to be the same? That's what Tolerance is about - making people all the same, turning people into robots.
You know - if someone makes a joke about me or something I happen to be affiliated with that's fine - I can laugh right along with them. Getting all puffed up about nothing is just a waste of energy all the way around. Why not put that energy to work in places where it matters and makes a difference?
Wonderful post. I totally agree...people are just aching to be offended. Society needs to grow a sense of humor!
All of this - and thousands of other things boil down to the increasing expectations of political correctness. Personally - I think it's all gone too far. Nobody has a sense of humor anymore, people are afraid to say what they think and God (or Allah or whatever you call him (or her) if I have to be politically correct about it) forbid ANYBODY have an opinion!
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PMHNP10
1,041 Posts
I don't know about this company, but if you remember the treasure trolls from the early '90s, well I used to have one of a doctor--this was when I was pre-med. I called him Troogie Trowser (obviously after the tv show doogie howser). He actually brought me quite a bit of good luck when I started taking him to my exams. Unfortunately some bastage stold him from me.
I can't say I'm particularly offended by this doll.