Don't know if I've ever posted before today (been a member for a while), but a post in another thread prompted me to respond to it and to post this. I've spent the last few years preparing for a career change into nursing and am in my first semester as a BSN student, and I'm irritated. I am NOT bashing nursing as a profession, but I am dismayed at the constant whining and complaining as well as the lack of any trace of intellectual curiosity that I have found in my short time around the profession among many BUT NOT ALL nurses. The #1 complaint among nurses that I have seen is a lack of respect by other health care professionals. You want to know why there is a lack of respect? Read on. In my short time, I've been around amazing nurses (bright, dedicated and excellent in what they do), but there are far too many that should be doing some else. Here's why nursing gets less respect than it should...
1) Constant whining. Nursing school is too hard, floor nursing is too hard, etc. News flash: most professions are really hard. Nursing isn't special in that regard. Medicine is brutal. IT, my former career, is cut throat. School teachers often have a miserable jobs. Cops work bad shifts and put their lives on the line. The list goes on an on. People that whine about nursing would whine no matter what career they are in.
2) The nursing culture. The claim of nursing being a "caring profession" (as if med techs, rad techs, RT's, etc. aren't caring), yet there is constant bashing of "bad" patients that are "noncompliant." In addition, many nurses go out of their way to humiliate students and new grads, talk about each other behind their backs, call physicians and other providers incompetent, and are in general rude, sour and bitter. Yet nursing is supposed to be the "caring" profession.
3) The nursing culture part II: Running around the hospital with balloons, teddy bears, flowers, whatever on your scrubs says to your colleagues, "I don't have a brain."
4) Nursing education. Learning to "diagnose" a patient with "Ineffective coping mechanisms related to disturbed transpersonal energy field" sounds like a bunch of hooey to a lot of people. Why? Because it is. It too screams, "I don't have a brain." Thankfully such stuff is only in the textbooks and not in the real world.
5) Feminization. I have heard ad nauseum that traditionally, physicians are men, nurses are women and that accounts for much of the disrespect. I actually agree. Ironically, many more women now are entering all health fields traditionally dominated by men (pharmacy, medicine, etc.) but there's barely been an uptick in the number of men going into nursing. Why? See #3 above for starters. Here's some other reasons. The local Sigma Theta Tau chapter at my school has brown and pink for their colors. The local CC has a teddy bear wearing an 1800's nursing hat and a big heart on its (her) chest (that'll make males race to apply to the program). Which, BTW, also screams, "I don't have a brain."
6) Lack of intellectual curiosity/knowledge. See #3 and #5 as well. One of my instructors this semester (who is a licensed pediatric nurse practitioner) could not answer a question as to what a lesion is. A nurse during my clinical last week did not know the difference between a H2 antagonist and a proton pump inhibitor, yet has been nursing for 20 years. My clinical instructor (with an MSN) "corrected" me and explained that myasthenia gravis is an intestinal disorder. I'm guessing they are like the students I had in my science prereqs that hated science and were just glad to get them done so they could apply to nursing school - never mind the fact that the sciences are the foundation of all modern health care practice. Would you go to a doctor that hated or was bad at science? What about a respiratory or physical therapist? Do everyone a favor - if you hate or are bad at science, spare your future patients and find another career.
In short, there's got to be a change in nursing culture for the profession to be respected.
When I read your posting, two things came to mind. When I was starting nursing school (and even in the pre-req classes leading up to nursing school), I was frustrated by other students who didn't take school seriously. (This was actually my 2nd bachelors degree, so I would like to think that some of the irritation stems from being older & wiser as well as actually having to pay my way without the help of loans). When I started clinicals, I was surprised (and taken aback) at how some RNs actually thought my questions about the "why" was questioning their practice as opposed to my desire to learn and grow. With the part about being frustrated by my peers, the solution was simple...ignore them. I did what I had to get through nursing school and be the best nurse that I can be for my patients (I only get whiny & crabby when I haven't had anything to eat about 8 to 9 hours into a 12 hr shift). Secondly, I took what I experienced in my clinicals with those nurses who were less than interested in working with nursing students and vowed never to do that to any one else. I work at a teaching hospital...so I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of students and I love the opportunity to share my knowledge with them (& I love it when they question me about what we are doing, because then we get into a great discussion & we are both learning).
In short, play the game and do what you need to get through school and become an awesome nurse. Your patients and your colleagues will appreciate working with you and being cared by you. Also, those who are reading this who are already RNs, we all know that there are certain doctors, pharmacists, nurses, etc, who may not be as careful or meticulous as others. We just hope that all of those people are not caring for the same patient on the same day (this was told to me by a Pharm friend).
I have to agree with # 3. One place I worked in had a different event each day for Nurses Week, including "crazy socks day" and a wheelchair decorating competition.
When I see physicians participating in such silliness, maybe I'll consider it...
I agree with the original poster - and I think this type of reply comment proves the OP's point.
Really.......you agree that wearing scrubs with pictures and/designs portrays to others that you are incompetant or stupid? That amazes me. What if I wore a hat like this:
I have to agree with # 3. One place I worked in had a different event each day for Nurses Week, including "crazy socks day" and a wheelchair decorating competition.
When I see physicians participating in such silliness, maybe I'll consider it...
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I see physicians partake in silliness all the time. They don't have to wear crazy socks to do it! Nursing is serious enough....lighten up.
this post is great, too, but i was trying to write a comment on a different post and somehow ended up back here! I'm embarrassed to admit that I can't figure out how to delete...
Hmmm.....you must wear teddy bear scrubs. (just kidding).
"The nursing culture part II: Running around the hospital with balloons, teddy bears, flowers, whatever on your scrubs says to your colleagues, "I don't have a brain."
I know the scrubs thing has been talked to death, but I had to add how I feel because some have told me that because I don't work with child I can't wear charcters. As if soild colors are all an old person wants to see before dying. Please, I get more comments about my teddy bears, and angels from them then I ever did from youger people, patience my age have no memory of who Betty Boop is....they do. I still don't see how bland and boring says professional, or how what I wear equates to my abilities? I do know how it feels to be judged by what people see and it only proves that other persons stupidity!! Hopefully when I'm old, the nursing will be wearing somethign that reflects not only there love of their jobs but something to cheer me up!!!!
Sarjsay: Great Summation of many the problems in nursing. Like you, I came to Nursing after working for deacdes in two other professions after I was 40 yrs old . I will also add one you missed and that is what I call the "Herd Mentality" or Sheeple train of thought. That is, Nurses in general and historically, do not collectively speak up for themselves. When they are wronged by whatever, whoever ect ect they complain amongst themselves in the breakroom or at home with their husband, S/O ect but hardly ever in a strong collective voice. Don't want to rock the boat right? For that reason, management never takes them seriously and for the most part the working conditions(i.e. floating, understaffing ect) never improve and the "wrongs' simply continue. And so does the complaining. If one group wants to improve their working conditions you complain collectively as many other groups of workers do ; like Construction workers, Teachers ect. This collective complaining isn't re-inventing the Wheel Folks! Complaining amongst yourselves accomplishes nothing other then a vocal or pulmonary exercise in moving air over and through your vocal cords and lungs. Great Post Sarjsay!
I think it's funny that no one can have an opinion about a profession without first being IN that profession for some amount of time. So the nurses here have no opinion or insight into the medical profession/doctors lol? Of course they do!
I'm not yet a nurse, however, much of what the OP shares is consistent with my observations of nursing too. I have 40 years experience as a consumer of medical services, and that counts for something. The lack of customer service in health care, in my opinion, is mind-blowing. It's like listening to waitresses who complain about customers! Pssst.... the patient is WHY we are here.
I'm also firmly in the "professional appearance = professional impression" camp. So, unless someone is in peds, I can't imagine why they'd wear kid's prints.
I think Sarjasy's is a gutsy post, and, whilst I don't like the general critical tone, I do think that people should not just have a knee jerk reaction to the criticisms but seriously look at what is being said, and maybe think about it for a while before getting too defensive. Many of those who agree with the post are experienced nurses, which says a lot. Careful though Sarjasy that you don't become one of the whiners; there's being open, honest and constructive, and then there's being sour, arrogant and critical: You don't want to alienate the people you are trying to communicate with. :smiley_aa :paw: :balloons: :monkeydance: :flwrhrts:
Oops, sorry! Couldn't resist!
I really hope your experience improves as you continue, and that you are one of those who make nursing a great profession to be in.
I think it's funny that no one can have an opinion about a profession without first being IN that profession for some amount of time. So the nurses here have no opinion or insight into the medical profession/doctors lol? Of course they do!
I'm not yet a nurse, however, much of what the OP shares is consistent with my observations of nursing too. I have 40 years experience as a consumer of medical services, and that counts for something. The lack of customer service in health care, in my opinion, is mind-blowing. It's like listening to waitresses who complain about customers! Pssst.... the patient is WHY we are here.
I'm also firmly in the "professional appearance = professional impression" camp. So, unless someone is in peds, I can't imagine why they'd wear kid's prints.
Sorry, but the view from "the other side of the bed " is VASTLY different. You may have been a CONSUMER of medical services, but you may also have been a dreadful pain in all the nurses butts, for all you or I know. Your comment about "customer service" is WHY so many nurses are unhappy- it is because of that concept "the patient is always right" that makes many patients so demanding, and so unreasonable. They all "know their rights". No matter what is going on, or how difficult the nurses assignment may be, the attitude is "it's not the patients problem, his apple juice should be served immediately, and his pillow dutifully fluffed. ". Unless you are VERY special, unlike the rest of us mere mortals, most of us only have two (2!!) hands. Maybe, you will learn this when you become a nurse. Maybe, you won't even complete nursing school, when you enter the REAL world that most of us are only too aware of, on the other side of the bed.
Sorry, but the view from "the other side of the bed " is VASTLY different. You may have been a CONSUMER of medical services, but you may also have been a dreadful pain in all the nurses butts, for all you or I know. Your comment about "customer service" is WHY so many nurses are unhappy- it is because of that concept "the patient is always right" that makes many patients so demanding, and so unreasonable. They all "know their rights". No matter what is going on, or how difficult the nurses assignment may be, the attitude is "it's not the patients problem, his apple juice should be served immediately, and his pillow dutifully fluffed. ". Unless you are VERY special, unlike the rest of us mere mortals, most of us only have two (2!!) hands. Maybe, you will learn this when you become a nurse. Maybe, you won't even complete nursing school, when you enter the REAL world that most of us are only too aware of, on the other side of the bed.
Specializes in geriatric, pediatric trach/vent, LTAC.
I currently work in a nursing home as an LPN. I am guilty of not talking too wonderfully about the doctors, but I never do this to patients - only with fellow employees. But there are times I think everyone needs to vent. When I have a patient that is having problems with _____________(fill in the blank), I want to know that the doctor is actually going to go and look at them. Too many times the doctor will simply ask me what I think is the problem and what needs to be prescribed. I haven't been doing this job for decades, but long enough to know what I'm doing. When I give the doctor my opinion, the prescription is often written just on what I've said. It's nice to be trusted and know that the doctors have that amount of confidence in the nurses they work with, but they're the ones with the MD degree, not me. I want to know that they will go to see their patients and take care of them the way they should.
And as far as the scrubs, I have many scrubs with bright flowers, smiley faces, colorful patterns, etc. Why? Because I work with many dementia patients and have found that the bright colors usually bring a smile to their face and can help to draw their attention to me when I am needing to work with them. Several residents comment almost daily on my scrubs and how much they like seeing me and knowing I will always be in bright colors. It certainly doesn't say anything about my medical knowledge or lack thereof.
:yeah:
ChicagoPeds
36 Posts
Sarjasy,
When I read your posting, two things came to mind. When I was starting nursing school (and even in the pre-req classes leading up to nursing school), I was frustrated by other students who didn't take school seriously. (This was actually my 2nd bachelors degree, so I would like to think that some of the irritation stems from being older & wiser as well as actually having to pay my way without the help of loans). When I started clinicals, I was surprised (and taken aback) at how some RNs actually thought my questions about the "why" was questioning their practice as opposed to my desire to learn and grow. With the part about being frustrated by my peers, the solution was simple...ignore them. I did what I had to get through nursing school and be the best nurse that I can be for my patients (I only get whiny & crabby when I haven't had anything to eat about 8 to 9 hours into a 12 hr shift). Secondly, I took what I experienced in my clinicals with those nurses who were less than interested in working with nursing students and vowed never to do that to any one else. I work at a teaching hospital...so I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of students and I love the opportunity to share my knowledge with them (& I love it when they question me about what we are doing, because then we get into a great discussion & we are both learning).
In short, play the game and do what you need to get through school and become an awesome nurse. Your patients and your colleagues will appreciate working with you and being cared by you. Also, those who are reading this who are already RNs, we all know that there are certain doctors, pharmacists, nurses, etc, who may not be as careful or meticulous as others. We just hope that all of those people are not caring for the same patient on the same day (this was told to me by a Pharm friend).
Good luck!