The Problem with Nursing

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A response to the Vanderbilt outlook.

The Vanderbilt case dear colleague is THE problem with nursing: Nursing is NOT a respected profession. In as much as people vote nursing at the most trusted, yeah right, it certainly is not the most respected. I would rather have their respect than their trust, let my family and loved ones trust me. A doctor, be as grumpy as he or she might, is well-respected. As most other professions are, but certainly not nursing.

Nursing provides a good source of living

But to what loss? For what cause? The reason people are able to be stirred to a higher cause is because there is a buy-in, they believe their input matters. The opposite is the case in nursing.

Change, you say? WHAT CHANGE? There is no change in nursing, at least not at bedside. You are treated as easily replaceable and your opinions do not always count. There is trepidation, there is fear. You always wonder what "mistakes" they might ferret out. You see, they have to burrow really deep!

What life is it that you gain no joy from what you do? Innovation is lacking or out rightly shot down because of a fear that it actually just might work. Asinine!

Apple? Apple is a success story because innovativeness is welcomed.

Starbucks? Employees are called partners and spirit is high.

Nursing? Better get to it and clean the toilets while you are at it.

It is what Florence Nightingale would have wanted...Ludicrous!

Why pick and choose? Why not wear starched white gowns with little cute white caps while we are at it (smiles). After all, "it is what Florence Nightingale would have wanted"! There is a vast difference between nursing and the business world. Perhaps it is because it is a field largely populated by women, I know not.

"Lean In"women, "sit at the table"~ Sheryl Sandberg

PS: These are strictly the views of the author. It is not the intent to disparage nursing itself, but shed a light on its problems. Healthy arguments or opposing views are welcomed.

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The argument is based on a faulty question.

I think that when asked the question "What is the most respected profession?", the average joe sixpack thinks of who makes the most money, excepting pro sports which dug their own grave of disrespect with their behavior. If one ponders the question a bit more, then the factors of trust, knowledge, altruism, and personality enter the equation. I think if the poll included only intelligent people, you would find that nursing is, in fact, the most respected profession.

I know a lot of MDs, DDSs and pharmacists from social situations and they always turn out to be complete tools. I know many nurses, too, and the more I get to know them the more I like them.

I think I'll put your little disclaimer on all my posts (my intent is too often assumed to be less than constructive on this forum)...

PS: These are strictly the views of the author. It is not the intent to disparage nursing itself, but shed a light on its problems. Healthy arguments or opposing views are welcomed. :wacky:

PPS, Personally I think the Vandy thing is either a publicity stunt or a misunderstanding. They'll fix it quickly.

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I agree. Nursing is not as respected as it once was. I am an RN-BSN student trying hard to maintain enough enthusiasm to continue with school, and hopefully make it to grad school, though probably not in nursing.

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The argument is based on a faulty question.

I think that when asked the question "What is the most respected profession?", the average joe sixpack thinks of who makes the most money, excepting pro sports which dug their own grave of disrespect with their behavior. If one ponders the question a bit more, then the factors of trust, knowledge, altruism, and personality enter the equation. I think if the poll included only intelligent people, you would find that nursing is, in fact, the most respected profession.

I know a lot of MDs, DDSs and pharmacists from social situations and they always turn out to be complete tools. I know many nurses, too, and the more I get to know them the more I like them.

I think I'll put your little disclaimer on all my posts (my intent is too often assumed to be less than constructive on this forum)...

PS: These are strictly the views of the author. It is not the intent to disparage nursing itself, but shed a light on its problems. Healthy arguments or opposing views are welcomed. :wacky:

PPS, Personally I think the Vandy thing is either a publicity stunt or a misunderstanding. They'll fix it quickly.

@Bolded, I beg to differ. If you are going in that vein, most people do not respect reality stars even though some do make a lot of money and are wedded for 72days only(love her though:). People already believe that athletes are overpaid, so that does not necessarily correlate.

But I bet you that as much of a tool the MD is, the patient would accord more respect to him than you. People can be fickle

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I agree. Nursing is not as respected as it once was. I am an RN-BSN student trying hard to maintain enough enthusiasm to continue with school, and hopefully make it to grad school, though probably not in nursing.

You would be doing yourself a huge service. Make sure that field is something you like/love though.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health, Float pool- in all areas.

I have been working in this field for more than 27 yrs. and as I continue to work in this field, it discusses me. This field is the only field that pushes folks out of a job. LVn's have to become Rn's, or they don't work; Assoc. RN's have to get their BSN or they don't work; now some jobs are asking for their Nurses to get their Masters. Now I must say this, back in the days RN's who had their BSN degree, were D.O.N or they were in Admin. positions, now they are staff Nurses on the floors, and those that have their Masters are blending in with them, what a joke..and they're not getting paid for the title they hold. I'm from Ga. and the amount of nurses that are coming out of school with their BSN degrees, makes you cry and we say more Nurses, why? Nobody's paying them and they're taking jobs from the LVNs to give to RN's (with BSN) to pass out meds...another joke. There's also lots of Nurses with their Masters, that are unemployed or that's working on the floor, who's making room for them. Working along sides of a Doc. they only need 1, Hospitals only need a few, who's telling these Nurses to go back to get their Master? This is why this field has become a joke..I've seen 27 years of foolishness. SMH

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Specializes in PCCN.

Probably related to that magnet crap."oohhhhhhh, looky here-we have so many higher educated nurses with master's degrees. Come to St. Mattress hospital!!!

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Teaching in the public school setting is the same way! It really is disgusting!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Hang on! In terms of the American public, WE ARE the most respected profession - for a decade now... here's the evidence. http://www.nursingworld.org/FunctionalMenuCategories/MediaResources/PressReleases/Nurses-Remain-Most-Ethical-of-Professions-in-Poll.pdf

But decisions like the one at Vandy are made by health care administrators - who are obviously NOT in synch with the general population. So the question is - why do we have such a huge mismatch?

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This may seem simplistic, but other people's opinions shouldn't be the reason for entering or leaving a profession. What matters is your opinion of what you do and how well you do what you do. While respect is nice, I could care less if 99% of the nation thought nursing was a unrespectable profession. I got into it and will stay or leave for my own reasons/desires.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.
This may seem simplistic, but other people's opinions shouldn't be the reason for entering or leaving a profession. What matters is your opinion of what you do and how well you do what you do. While respect is nice, I could care less if 99% of the nation thought nursing was a unrespectable profession. I got into it and will stay or leave for my own reasons/desires.

THIS!!!

And I'd like to point out IMO that teachers and nurses are the most admired for their willingness to care about people despite the abuse that everyone knows they get on a daily basis! So.. If you are a teacher who became a nurse, or a nurse who became a teacher... Double good karma, apparently. Ha ha!

(No, i didnt do research, this is gut reaction to someone saying that they are a teacher, etc. I always hear, "you must have some kind of patience to put up with everyone yelling at you every day." "Wow. I don't love people enough to take that kind of abuse." Etc.)

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

What really gets to me is the disrespect that nurses have towards EACHOTHER!!!

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