Regina writes another column

Published

Regina Brett wrote another column, this time about the responses she got from her column last week.

http://www.cleveland.com/brett/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion-0/1208075554232450.xml&coll=2

Specializes in med surg.

unfortunately this rings so true, it generally is the visitors that make our life hell, and patients will always be patients to me not customers or consumers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Regina Brett wrote another column, this time about the responses she got from her column last week.

http://www.cleveland.com/brett/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion-0/1208075554232450.xml&coll=2

Not bad :)

Often you don't get to read the results of the follow-up letters. That was good, thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.

Overall, it's high time that someone other than our fellow nurses take notice of the bad behavior that goes on around us.

However, I am neither my patient's grandma nor am I their guardian angel. I am a college educated professional there to do a job. The fact that it involves vomit, blood and poop does not mean that I "don't mind" when someone gets the aforementioned fluid on me!

I think Regina's heart is in the right place and she makes some good points, but it is high time for professional recognition. There was not one mention of the higher education that it takes to become these approaching saintly - ever smiling vomit vessels...:)

Blee

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
overall, it's high time that someone other than our fellow nurses take notice of the bad behavior that goes on around us.

however, i am neither my patient's grandma nor am i their guardian angel. i am a college educated professional there to do a job. the fact that it involves vomit, blood and poop does not mean that i "don't mind" when someone gets the aforementioned fluid on me!

i think regina's heart is in the right place and she makes some good points, but it is high time for professional recognition. there was not one mention of the higher education that it takes to become these approaching saintly - ever smiling vomit vessels...:)

blee

actually on the top of page 2 she writes:

"we have 10 other patients. we cannot answer five call lights at once. we can't stop doing cpr on a patient because you ran out of tissues. we are not maids, beauticians or cocktail waitresses. we are professionals with college degrees."

i love your expression, "saintly - ever smiling vomit vessels" -- lol! :no:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I saw the "professionals with college degrees" too Zoe.

This is a hard line to walk - we want the public to know why there is a nursing shortage and yet if these things are mentioned, we look like we are whining.

For the most part, I think her article was good. And her heart was in the right place. She is trying to advocate for us.

She gets the exposure that maybe a nurse/writer needs to get.

steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..

This is a hard line to walk - we want the public to know why there is a nursing shortage and yet if these things are mentioned, we look like we are whining.

I also worry that potential nurses might get turned off, thinking it is whining or that nursing is too hard to do. We do it here too - we need to vent but sometimes the rewarding aspect of it isn't brought out enough.

Anyhoo - I'm glad she wrote it. And I hope that it makes a few of our "customers" think twice!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just take a look at the "Failure to Rescue" thread . . . . .

https://allnurses.com/forums/f195/failure-rescue-product-nursing-shortage-294737.html

steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I thanked her for last week's column and she emailed me back thanking ME for being a nurse.

Bless her!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

i don't like that the article appears to ignore critical thinking skills, but you know what? i only noticed that after i reread it following everyone else's comments.

and i'm one of those people who hates gooey inspirational quotes, but i loved this: "how do we survive? we ignore the nasty comments, the demanding relatives, the crazy staffing grids. we count to 10 before speaking. we pray every morning for strength and wisdom, patience and empathy. we drive home tired and frustrated, telling ourselves over and over, "'i'm not the nurse i want to be, but i'm the best nurse the hospital staffing allows me to be.'" :cry:

i know it's not exactly true (all of that stuff, i cannot ignore!) but i like it.

throwing away the tissues now,

jess

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Just take a look at the "Failure to Rescue" thread . . . . .

https://allnurses.com/forums/f195/failure-rescue-product-nursing-shortage-294737.html

steph

Thanks =- that's good, too

Throwing away the tissues now

((((( Jess )))))))))

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion