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?
You asked: "Is NURSING really the stage for these types of jokes??? Am I crazy?" In short
a) yes, nursing is the place for any type of joke, depending on the audience (because nurses are just people like everyone else after all).
b) I don't have enough information to answer that, but I have no reason to think so. I just think you are making too much of it. I don't think anyone was attacking you or insinuating that you need our permission to take offense to anything. Why did you ask if you weren't interested in differing perspectives?
My philosophy of life is this:
#1 show up
#2 do your best
#3 don't personalize the details.
As a result I'm usually very happy, and rarely offended, indignant or angry. This is the way I choose to live. If you choose otherwise, fine (see #3 of my philosophy).
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 @#$@ bad.
Of course you can say anything you want, nobody is saying you can't. You can shout it from the rooftops, you can amplify it through a blow horn. NOBODY disputed you can't or shouldn't. This thread is about a WEBSITE the OP wished to shut down because he/she didn't like it. If everyone is allowed to express free speech about the suitability and conduct of this website then the website is allowed to express its own idea of humor = free speech. That is the point.
But holy moly... what is the reason for the shouting and swearing? My goodness gracious how people get hot under the collar. I thought such flaming was against TOS!?
In general, (and this applies to everyone, not just nurses) you should have respect for people. And if that goes against your funky idea of free speech, then too @#$@ bad.
Respect for all people ... and "too @#$@ bad" ... all in the same sentence.
linearthinker, DNP, RN
1,688 Posts
You asked: "Is NURSING really the stage for these types of jokes??? Am I crazy?" In short
a) yes, nursing is the place for any type of joke, depending on the audience (because nurses are just people like everyone else after all).
b) I don't have enough information to answer that, but I have no reason to think so. I just think you are making too much of it. I don't think anyone was attacking you or insinuating that you need our permission to take offense to anything. Why did you ask if you weren't interested in differing perspectives?
My philosophy of life is this:
#1 show up
#2 do your best
#3 don't personalize the details.
As a result I'm usually very happy, and rarely offended, indignant or angry. This is the way I choose to live. If you choose otherwise, fine (see #3 of my philosophy).