I recently came across a website thats main purpose was nursing humor. Excited to find such a site, I quickly clicked and browsed my way through stories, links and other various "funny" material. However, it wasn't long into my exploration that I came across some cartoons, videos and stories from nurses that I found inappropriate. As I continued on, they became more offensive and in several instances poked fun at patients who were disabled and in pain. I am sure many of you know the site I'm referring to (as there are very few on nursing humor), and although I appreciate the idea behind the website; I think they are willing to do ANYTHING to get a laugh - even if it at the expense of others. Listen, I'm the class clown - the prankster, and the first one to laugh at a joke. BUT, this sites arena and stage (i.e. nursing) is not the time or the place to sacrifice patient rights, nurse's rights and handicap rights in order to get a laugh. Am I crazy? Does anyone else really have a fire in them about defending the image of nursing. Because, I wrote a letter to the editor and she apparently thinks it's okay to laugh at racist, sexist and rapist jokes. I'm guilty for laughing at inappropriate jokes too - but my POINT is...Is NURSING really the stage for these types of jokes??? Am I crazy?
I see what your saying TylerDurdenRN. I still think it's wrong for licensed professionals to joke about the disabled or people in need of our expertise. Its like a pilot joking about how he's going to crash the plane before take off. To other pilots - they might laugh at the joke, but the passengers would flip out!
Why then is it okay for us, as professionals to dismiss how vulnerable our patients are to OUR expertise, to OUR professionalism?
And to counterpoint - When DO YOU stop laughing? When DO YOU stop the bully? I mean, this site is using the nursing title while making fun of the disabled - I can't believe that your okay with that!?
I'm glad you responded because people need to see this. This is a good discussion to be having.
IMO the pilot is perfectly fine to make bad jokes to his copilot, but he should not make them over the plane PA system. Ditto for nurses. I'm OK with nurses making fun of whatever they want to, they don't speak for me or nursing. They are just another person out in cyberspace. They should not make fun of patient to their faces, obviously. I don't see that bullying, however popular that buzzword is now, applies at all in this case. In short, I think you are over thinking it and consequently, overreacting. Chill. Or just stop reading the material that offends you, either way.
If you really think about it every single joke in existence is likely to offend somebody, somewhere.
So let's just rid the earth of all humor so as not to carelessly step on any toes.
We can get rid of the doctor jokes, the blonde jokes, the bar jokes, the knock-knock jokes, the fat jokes, the Chuck Norris jokes, the inside jokes, the light bulb jokes, the practical jokes, the yo mama jokes... pretty darn boring world!!
Look - I'm certainly NOT LOOKING FOR YOUR APPROVAL to defend patient and/or disability rights. When and How I do that will be totally independent from YOUR APPROVAL PROCESS. Trust me on that.
If you think I'm out of line - that's fine. I respect your silence if that is how you choose to react. I am not asking for you to stand up and fight WITH me. What I'm saying is that IF and WHEN you DO FEEL OFFENDED - take action. Make a difference!
It's funny when you say, "freedom of speech" as if it only works one way - when isn't that exactly the right, I too am expressing? People have every right to the freedom of speech - but if you offend me or my loved ones, or offend someone who can't defend themselves like the sick and disabled, you'd better believe I'm going to stand up and say something.
Wait ---> WE ARE NURSES!! WHY AM I HAVING TO SAY ALL OF THIS???!!!!
You have a right to say you don't approve of something or are offended by it, but I personally feel like you are taking it way too far to actually punish or close this site. I don't think this site personally attacked or mentioned you or your family. It is impossible not to offend anyone. Is it professional to use morbid jokes? Most likely no, but I doubt this site is supposed to be professional. Look at how many offensive programs are on tv like South Park and The Simpsons to name a couple. People make fun of celebrities all the time in magazines in the super market line. Relax, it's just an anonymous humor site most people have probably never heard of. If I were you, I would focus my energy on better things.
Personally, I think when a culture of disrespect exists, it deprives a patient of objectivity that they deserve from their "so-called caregivers", even it's between two professionals. It's not about offending people- I don't care whether people get offended. If you see something that offends you, then ignore it. It's when people start seeing other people as fatties, *****, prostitutes, drug users, whatever- it takes away from them being treated as human.
What did the nurse say to the doctor? Nothing, her mouth was full. Har, har, har. Doesn't matter if you thought it was funny or not, you probably got upset at reading it.
Why?
It perpetuates the notion that nurses are 1. female, and 2. stupid and bimbos. When we all know that they are not. Would you like to work in a hospital where this joke (and similar ones) are constantly spoken by doctors? So why is it acceptable to do the same to patients?
What did the nurse say to the doctor? Nothing, her mouth was full. Har, har, har. Doesn't matter if you thought it was funny or not, you probably got upset at reading it.
Why?
It perpetuates the notion that nurses are 1. female, and 2. stupid and bimbos. When we all know that they are not. Would you like to work in a hospital where this joke (and similar ones) are constantly spoken by doctors? So why is it acceptable to do the same to patients?
Who said anything about jokes constantly spoken to patients? The issue is a website that doesn't live up to somebody's expectations of decorum so they're trying to shut it down. A website that we, as free willed human beings, have the option to ignore but instead feel the need to control what we find objectionable. Maybe there are people that find it funny, is their choice of humor any less important than yours?
It's funny when you say, "freedom of speech" as if it only works one way - when isn't that exactly the right, I too am expressing? People have every right to the freedom of speech - but if you offend me or my loved ones, or offend someone who can't defend themselves like the sick and disabled, you'd better believe I'm going to stand up and say something.
I'm not the person you were addressing but take a look at what your wrote here. No one has said you have no right to express your opinion, yet that is the very thing you are trying to prevent others (the website) from doing.
I didn't know about trying to shut it down- but really, people have the right to free speech- and that includes speaking out against something, too. Are you saying I don't have a right to free speech, or do I? Because if I do, then I can talk about shutting down websites, or disagreeing with anything I want.
That's what free speech is all about- you can say anything you want, but so can someone else, even if their opinion is contrary to yours. And guess what? I can say my opinion louder than yours.
Now, I didn't say anything about telling jokes to patients. I'm talking about jokes between providers ABOUT their patients. I'm talking about when a professional says to another professional "the fatty in room 6 needs more insulin". I'm talking about in the charting room, or where ever nurses hang out, the "joking" that goes on.
In general, (and this applies to everyone, not just nurses) you should have respect for people. And if that goes against your funky idea of free speech, then too @#$@ bad.
I understand your indignation. Personally, I also feel we do not encourage professionalism and decorum in nursing, which affects our image. I am always insupport of things that improve the nurses' image. Like AllNurses.com for one; and oh I found a lifestyle magazine that aims to do just that. Can't think of the name right now. Fabulous, ok that's it Fabulous Nurse but I digress. As I was saying we do need more of the positive and I think that will drown out the negative image.
It is very okay for you to feel offended and do feel free to express that. I don't think people should attack you for expressing yourself, but that's my opinion. My suggestion to you is that you should advocate the positive things in nursing, contribute in your own way but do accept that some people will do things that offend you. I don't think it is right to try to shut down the site. If you feel that strongly about it, tell the site owner and let them know they lost a potential consumer.
Hang tough. Vent. Take a deep breath. Move on to another website. It is a pity you experienced that.
Specializes in Acute Spine, Neuro, Thoracic's, LTC.
Personally I don't think we can really have a real discussion about this without seeing the site....I have no idea if the humor is actually over the top or you are just easily offended.
However I do think that having a sense of humor is a good thing...
Well, thank you all for your input and this conversation did exactly what I had hoped. It enlightened me on many levels. Truly. For the record, I have no intention on shutting the website down and as stated before, I have been speaking with the editor and she in turn has posted a discussion forum on the website asking for feedback on the material posted. And, the specific material I objected to has been removed. I was offended, and decided to take action. Apparently, I wasn't the first person to give this feedback.
I don't know if it all got lost in translation, but I am pro-humor and use it myself all the time! I am pro freedom of speech and like this website was exercising my right, too. I am even tolerant to not so respectful humor in a private setting as I know we all need to let off steam and sometimes it comes out in less than appropriate manners. I am not at all objecting to this.
What I wanted to do was challenge us to think about this issue. I fully respect and am very grateful for all of your input.
However, if and when I come across communication that defaces, offends, discriminates and/or abuses disability rights, patient rights and/or nurse's rights - I will continue to offer my two cents. I know very well that I am merely one voice and I'm certainly okay with that.
I hope to see you too stand up for your rights and the rights of others if you too ever feel discrimination, prejudice, or defamation of your character.
This is the first time I ever acted on my beliefs in this manner (regarding nursing) and I have no regrets. However, I will tell you that because of the opinions offered - the next time I'll consult with these masses before I make I move.
Thank you. I appreciate the message. The other posts are RIGHT. This all boils down to a case on the freedom of speech. And, like the website - I'm glad I too have that freedom. I was enraged when I saw a fellow nurse posting material that in one false swoop erased years of work that those before us fought tooth and nail for the rights. The same rights that we can so easily take for granted - as depicted on this website. I was asked by the staff (at allnurses.com) not to mention the website name and I think the lack of a source allowed everyone's imagination to run wild. Still relevant on many levels, but it got a little off course.
linearthinker, DNP, RN
1,688 Posts
IMO the pilot is perfectly fine to make bad jokes to his copilot, but he should not make them over the plane PA system. Ditto for nurses. I'm OK with nurses making fun of whatever they want to, they don't speak for me or nursing. They are just another person out in cyberspace. They should not make fun of patient to their faces, obviously. I don't see that bullying, however popular that buzzword is now, applies at all in this case. In short, I think you are over thinking it and consequently, overreacting. Chill. Or just stop reading the material that offends you, either way.