Time to call a duck a duck?

[eriksoln]

I remember having this debate with other students while I was in school. I have seen nothing during my time practicing nursing to change my mind about the issue. Now, with the recession bringing out the true colors of nurses and everyone around them, my opinion seems even more valid. I wonder what others think about it.

I remember sitting in nursing school as the instructor drummed on and on about how "Nursing is a profession." That exact theme butted it's head into almost every single class one way or another, regardless of the subject matter. I often found myself thinking "Who cares?" or "What's the point in that?". Then came the dreaded "Dimensions of Nursing" class. It was the class all RN's must go through at one point or another (IDK if LPNs do or not). There are other names for it "Political Aspects of Nursing" I've heard among a few others. It is the class in which you must discuss the political issues that involve nursing. You are encouraged to join this and that group, Nursing as a Profession is discussed over and over, and you must do a research paper. I never really said in that class how I really felt about the whole business of nursing being a profession in fear of drawing the ire of my superiors.

What is it I had to say that my fellow students got to hear during breaks that my instructors did not? Well: Nursing is not a profession, not even with a very generous stretch. It is a labor, a trade. We are judged solely by the amt. of patients we can handle and still keep the minimal quality expected by our administration up to par. Not very much unlike a McDonald's burger flipper. The faster you can cook those patties without screwing too many up, the better you are. That's all there is to it really. If you don't believe me, take a gander at where nursing expenses falls in the budget. We are not logged next to the admin./doctors/lawyers or any of the other professionals. We are grouped in with dietary/housekeeping/security. As far as budget makers are concerned (and, lets be honest, they make the rules), we are a debt, like a labor.

IT IS TIME FOR NURSING TO GIVE UP THIS IDENTITY CRISIS, THIS INFERIORITY COMPLEX IT HAS DISPLAYED SINCE ITS BIRTH AND MOVE ON, EMBRACE BEING A LABOR AND LOVE IT.

Ever see the movie "Man in the Iron Mask"? The King/spoiled twin tells his brother "Into the dungeon you will go, and you will wear this mask again, and you will wear it until you love it."

We are wearing the mask, but are for some reason we are unable to learn to love it. So we will forever stay in the dungeon denying what we are.

Lets face it. All the aspects of a "profession" are an illusion in nursing.

Definition of a profession:

A profession has a unique body of knowledge and values – and a perspective to go with it.

A profession has controlled entry to the group eg registration

A profession demonstrates a high degree of autonomous practice.

A profession has its own disciplinary system.

A profession enjoys the Recognition and Respect of the wider community.

1. Unique body of knowledge: We do need to go to school and must learn a lot, but I don't know about the unique part of it. Most CNA's pick up on how to do what we do after just a couple years, without the schooling. As far as values and perspective go, lets face it, we can't even agree in here on what that is. How many "Calling from God vs. Its a job" threads/rants have you seen on this site. I've lost count. We can't even agree amongst ourselves what degree we should have. I've also lost count of the "BSN vs. ADN vs. Masters" threads.

2. Controlled entry: Phfffft. It is controlled, but not by us. The hospital/medical field administration decides this. Whatever they decide they are willing to hire is what the rule is. If they decide tomorrow to never again hire ADNs.........that's that for them. We have no say in it. Seen any "Nurses eat their young" vents/threads lately. I know you have;), even if you were a blind, deaf mute with both hands tied behind your back you can't help but run into them on here. If we truly were in control of who came into the profession, such threads would be minimal. Can't be angry about who is allowed in when its your decision who gets in.

3. Demonstrates a high degree of autonomy: Again, I lead with PHfffffft. Our job description continues to be and will forever be everything and anything they can't pawn off on the other laborers. How many of us, since the recession hit, have been told to pick it up and help out in non-nursing job related ways? Empty the trash, stock the cabinets, hand out trays, collect and clean the trays..........its endless. We are unable to define for ourselves what we will and will not do. You don't see them sending the Legal dept. any emails about helping maintenance do you? Any rules/laws concerning scope of practice are simply to protect patients from us should we decide to play doctor. No laws exist to restrict what can be expected of us away from the bedside (no, that would actually be useful, help the pt., can't do anything silly like that).

4. Has its own disciplinary system: Do I need to insert Phffffft again? Oh, I just did. We only qualify here if badgering, cattiness and petty write ups are "disciplinary". Nuff said.

5. Respect of the community: I'll resist the urge to insert the obvious lead here. I'll just point out the complaining about surveys that's been the norm lately. Lets face it folks, professions who have respect are not surveyed like this. These surveys resemble grade school report cards "Nursey doesn't play well with others". If we were "respected", we'd be the ones filling out the surveys on how to improve the model of care given.

Think back to your highschool days. Remember that class clown who tried way too hard to be funny? The not so good looking girl who never stopped digging for compliments on her looks? The not so well liked guy always asking if you and he were buddies or not? That's what nursing has let itself become. Constantly running around worrying about impressing people and all the while completely losing its focus on the primary goal. A lost teenager suffering from an inferiority complex.

Maybe if we embrace the fact that we are............:eek:gasp..............a mere labor, we will be able to dedicate ourselves to our patients. Instead of worrying about proving nursing holds a "unique body of knowledge" and making up useless, pointless "theories" and such (tell me one instance you have found a use for nursing diagnosis), we will become more useful. Focus instead on better time management, better understanding of the things we actually use on the job (the equipment for instance) and a better understanding of the tasks expected of us (study IV insertion in school instead of writing papers about why nursing is a profession).

I know many of you will be upset with me and my views. They are what they are. I make no apologies for them. Not having a well liked opinion has never stopped me from saying what I feel needs said before.

So...............am I wrong? Why?

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

I'm presently working at getting off nights. I think that will improve my outlook on a great many things, not just nursing.

I already explained why I think I have such strong opinions about the "profession" things. Yes, a lot of it is just association. The worst nurses I've known tend to love calling themselves a "professional". But, they were just using it as a shield.

Funny how some people get their panties in a bunch when they hear some don't think it is a profession. Its like you called them "fat" or "ugly" or insulted their intelligence. Which further demonstrates how some consider nursing their "image" instead of their career. Very scary TBH. Kind of like that guy, SteelDan'sPantsFan or whatever his name is. Now there is a classic example of having way too much of your sense of worth being tied up in having studied nursing. His whole post was "nursing is this and that and not just a task"...........all of it I had mastered a few months into nursing. Not a single example was even slightly challenging or unique. Its stuff people do without ever thinking its worth mentioning, on a daily basis. But, somewhere/somehow he's built it all up in his mind into something that separates him from being "a laborer" or "skilled tradesman". Very sad really.

Yeah ....this confusion with BEING a professional and DOING a job professionally is still going on.

Confusing the two gets panties in a twist for some people

[realist]

Eriksoln,

Sometimes it is hard for people to face reality. I think that you are right on the money with your opinion and observation of nursing. There are a lot of NIEVE people in the world and unfortunately they can't accept differences of opinions and experiences.

[jjjoy, LPN]

I'm still puzzled at why we need to assign a label (profession vs. craft, etc.) to nursing.

Why? I can't say for sure, but maybe your program didn't emphasize "nursing is a profession" like mine did. They made the exact five points that were argued in the original post. It sounded rather like a marketing ploy to increase the appeal of nursing to those who might otherwise consider med school or even law school or business school.

I tend to think that in efforts to dispell any misconception that nursing isn't mindless work like digging ditching or putting widget 1 and widget 2 together over and over (eg "labor"), the powers that be in nursing leadership went a bit overboard in 're-branding' nursing as "a profession".

[jjjoy, LPN]

Funny how some people get their panties in a bunch when they hear some don't think it is a profession. Its like you called them "fat" or "ugly" or insulted their intelligence.

You make a good point there.

[NocturneRN]

I'm presently working at getting off nights. I think that will improve my outlook on a great many things, not just nursing.

I already explained why I think I have such strong opinions about the "profession" things. Yes, a lot of it is just association. The worst nurses I've known tend to love calling themselves a "professional". But, they were just using it as a shield.

Funny how some people get their panties in a bunch when they hear some don't think it is a profession. Its like you called them "fat" or "ugly" or insulted their intelligence. Which further demonstrates how some consider nursing their "image" instead of their career. Very scary TBH. Kind of like that guy, SteelDan'sPantsFan or whatever his name is. Now there is a classic example of having way too much of your sense of worth being tied up in having studied nursing. His whole post was "nursing is this and that and not just a task"...........all of it I had mastered a few months into nursing. Not a single example was even slightly challenging or unique. Its stuff people do without ever thinking its worth mentioning, on a daily basis. But, somewhere/somehow he's built it all up in his mind into something that separates him from being "a laborer" or "skilled tradesman". Very sad really.

But why should you consider it "sad" that people see nursing as part of their image? Don't most people identify closely with their life's work? Isn't that part of the reason that, when a person loses his job and is unable to find another in his field, he often feels that he's lost a part of himself?

When you've been a nurse as long as I have, ask yourself if you've become a different person from what you might have been if you'd chosen a different field. I certainly have developed in ways that I never would have (and vice versa) if I'd studied, say, interior decorating or speech pathology. And I'm not talking about how well I can perform a nursing task----I'm talking about how I interact with people, how I approach tasks completely unrelated to nursing, how I view my own life purpose and goals. You can't spend a big chunk of your life working within a particular set of functions, without it strongly affecting how you (and the rest of the world) see yourself.

You sound quite disillusioned to me. But you also sound like someone who hasn't been a nurse for very many years, and who maybe hasn't found the right niche yet. In any case, if others feel strongly that nursing is a profession, or even a spiritual calling, why not recognize that that might be true for them but not (at present, at least) for you? Nursing is a vast field, with many different areas of specialization....could it not be that it's too vast to fit neatly into one limited category?

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

But why should you consider it "sad" that people see nursing as part of their image? Don't most people identify closely with their life's work? Isn't that part of the reason that, when a person loses his job and is unable to find another in his field, he often feels that he's lost a part of himself?

When you've been a nurse as long as I have, ask yourself if you've become a different person from what you might have been if you'd chosen a different field. I certainly have developed in ways that I never would have (and vice versa) if I'd studied, say, interior decorating or speech pathology. And I'm not talking about how well I can perform a nursing task----I'm talking about how I interact with people, how I approach tasks completely unrelated to nursing, how I view my own life purpose and goals. You can't spend a big chunk of your life working within a particular set of functions, without it strongly affecting how you (and the rest of the world) see yourself.

You sound quite disillusioned to me. But you also sound like someone who hasn't been a nurse for very many years, and who maybe hasn't found the right niche yet. In any case, if others feel strongly that nursing is a profession, or even a spiritual calling, why not recognize that that might be true for them but not (at present, at least) for you? Nursing is a vast field, with many different areas of specialization....could it not be that it's too vast to fit neatly into one limited category?

IDK, I was raised differently I guess. I believe in taking pride in what you do, but not bragging. I believe in asserting yourself while at work, but when you are at home, you are leaving work at work. Nursing has made me different in that I have much more sympathy for the elderly than I probably would have if I had......eh, stayed a landscaper......but I don't run around advertising I am that way because I am a nurse.

Had someone say to me once "You don't act act like a nurse."

I couldn't resist but to answer "What do nurses act like?"

Anyone who's seen my posts about nurses who treat nursing like it is an image knows where this is going.

They responded "Well, you don't sign RN after everything, you don't tell people you are an RN (in other words, every sentence out of my mouth isn't preempted with "I'm a nurse and I think" as if it matters), and YOU DON'T TALK DOWN TO PEOPLE LIKE NURSES".

Hmmm. Well. Seems this person has run into a lot of the types who I've been talking about here.

Funny thing to consider: Lots of marriages end because one or the other spouse is more concerned with career than family. The divorce rate with nurses is high compared to other professions/jobs/crafts. And you still think "acting like a nurse" in your private life is a good thing?

[NocturneRN]

IDK, I was raised differently I guess. I believe in taking pride in what you do, but not bragging. I believe in asserting yourself while at work, but when you are at home, you are leaving work at work. Nursing has made me different in that I have much more sympathy for the elderly than I probably would have if I had......eh, stayed a landscaper......but I don't run around advertising I am that way because I am a nurse.

Had someone say to me once "You don't act act like a nurse."

I couldn't resist but to answer "What do nurses act like?"

Anyone who's seen my posts about nurses who treat nursing like it is an image knows where this is going.

They responded "Well, you don't sign RN after everything, you don't tell people you are an RN (in other words, every sentence out of my mouth isn't preempted with "I'm a nurse and I think" as if it matters), and YOU DON'T TALK DOWN TO PEOPLE LIKE NURSES".

Hmmm. Well. Seems this person has run into a lot of the types who I've been talking about here.

Funny thing to consider: Lots of marriages end because one or the other spouse is more concerned with career than family. The divorce rate with nurses is high compared to other professions/jobs/crafts. And you still think "acting like a nurse" in your private life is a good thing?

Whoa, there! I didn't say I "act like a nurse" in my private life, or that I think it's desirable to do so. Nor did I make any comment about being more concerned with career than family. What I said is that, like it or not, nursing is part of my identity, just as my various hobbies, talents, physical features, likes and dislikes would be. It has certainly shaped my life in some ways, just as being a rock musician or a marathon runner, or living in Hawaii or seriously studying theatre arts, would shape a person's life. And it certainly affects my perceptions and reactions, again, just as any vocation or avocation would.

I'm interested, though in that comment about talking down to nurses that you put in capitals: "YOU DON'T TALK DOWN TO PEOPLE LIKE NURSES." Where did that come from? And what has that to do with whether or not nursing can accurately be considered a profession?

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

Whoa, there! I didn't say I "act like a nurse" in my private life, or that I think it's desirable to do so. Nor did I make any comment about being more concerned with career than family. What I said is that, like it or not, nursing is part of my identity, just as my various hobbies, talents, physical features, likes and dislikes would be. It has certainly shaped my life in some ways, just as being a rock musician or a marathon runner, or living in Hawaii or seriously studying theatre arts, would shape a person's life. And it certainly affects my perceptions and reactions, again, just as any vocation or avocation would.

I'm interested, though in that comment about talking down to nurses that you put in capitals: "YOU DON'T TALK DOWN TO PEOPLE LIKE NURSES." Where did that come from? And what has that to do with whether or not nursing can accurately be considered a profession?

Well, two reasons acutally:

1. To demonstrate my point of what "acting like a nurse" in our private lives leads to. Lots of people have said this to me, that nurses "talk down to others". Its how people perceive those of us who preempt every sentence with "I'm a nurse and I think.............". Its what people thinking nursing is an image rather than a trade leads to.

2. Back when I used the sociological definition of a "profession" to point out why we are a trade, people jumped all over the fact that I believe the general publics views of us have changed, for the worse. They pointed out that nursing is "one of the most respected professions around." Eh, it is, and it isn't. If you really listen to what the general public is saying, you'll hear as many saying things like we talk down to people as you will that we are wonderful.

I guess I put that part in bold cause I can't help but think its the "nursing is my image" types who do that the most. You know the types I mean, the one's who reinforce nursing's inferiority complex.

Point is, I've said it again and again, our insistence on being a professional and constantly seeking everyone else acceptance is whats killing us. When people stand in front of their friends, in public, gloating and making comments like "Any idiot can put an IV in. I'm a real nurse cause I took A+P blah blah" instead of worrying about things that might actually improve pt. care...........it shows how we are completely missing the boat.

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

But why should you consider it "sad" that people see nursing as part of their image? Don't most people identify closely with their life's work? Isn't that part of the reason that, when a person loses his job and is unable to find another in his field, he often feels that he's lost a part of himself?

When you've been a nurse as long as I have, ask yourself if you've become a different person from what you might have been if you'd chosen a different field. I certainly have developed in ways that I never would have (and vice versa) if I'd studied, say, interior decorating or speech pathology. And I'm not talking about how well I can perform a nursing task----I'm talking about how I interact with people, how I approach tasks completely unrelated to nursing, how I view my own life purpose and goals. You can't spend a big chunk of your life working within a particular set of functions, without it strongly affecting how you (and the rest of the world) see yourself.

You sound quite disillusioned to me. But you also sound like someone who hasn't been a nurse for very many years, and who maybe hasn't found the right niche yet. In any case, if others feel strongly that nursing is a profession, or even a spiritual calling, why not recognize that that might be true for them but not (at present, at least) for you? Nursing is a vast field, with many different areas of specialization....could it not be that it's too vast to fit neatly into one limited category?

Oh, although I do think its sad to consider nursing your image...............in the thread you are referring to, I'm speaking of the desire to think you are above or better than people who work as laborers or in a skilled trade. Thats the part I meant when I said "sad".

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

We are told nurses are accountable for what we do - in ANY situation. We are told to follow Dr's orders 'or else' (which may be presented as an underlying threat even). We are hauled up in court if we DO follow orders (that could be wrong but the Dr insists we follow 'or else'); we are hauled up in court if we DON'T follow orders; we are blamed if we complain re patient ratios, constantly ringing and practically screaming at Drs to come and check on their patient who is slowly but surely deteriorating but the Dr just orders more antibiotics (as happened to me recently); we are told we are 'health professionals' which Drs secretly smile at cos they know we are their gophers; we are laid off after 40 years of hard work and dedicated service; we are blamed for everything that goes wrong with a patient; blamed if the patient's family is unhappy and blamed if the Dr is unhappy; we are just plain not valued in any sense of the word. We are attacked on all sides from everyone, even our own kind and our so-called nurse managers who always side with the big administrators of Drs if anything goes wrong; they will just blame the lowly, little nurse struggling to cope with too many patients and not enough support.

That is not a profession. That is a never ending witch hunt and we as nurses have to stop tolerating being treated like this, or get out of this so called 'profession'.

[NocturneRN]

Well, two reasons acutally:

1. To demonstrate my point of what "acting like a nurse" in our private lives leads to. Lots of people have said this to me, that nurses "talk down to others". Its how people perceive those of us who preempt every sentence with "I'm a nurse and I think.............". Its what people thinking nursing is an image rather than a trade leads to.

2. Back when I used the sociological definition of a "profession" to point out why we are a trade, people jumped all over the fact that I believe the general publics views of us have changed, for the worse. They pointed out that nursing is "one of the most respected professions around." Eh, it is, and it isn't. If you really listen to what the general public is saying, you'll hear as many saying things like we talk down to people as you will that we are wonderful.

I guess I put that part in bold cause I can't help but think its the "nursing is my image" types who do that the most. You know the types I mean, the one's who reinforce nursing's inferiority complex.

Point is, I've said it again and again, our insistence on being a professional and constantly seeking everyone else acceptance is whats killing us. When people stand in front of their friends, in public, gloating and making comments like "Any idiot can put an IV in. I'm a real nurse cause I took A+P blah blah" instead of worrying about things that might actually improve pt. care...........it shows how we are completely missing the boat.

Oddly enough, I do "really listen to what the general public is saying," yet my experience is quite different from yours. I don't hear people complaining that nurses talk down to them---quite the opposite, in fact.

And, no, I really don't know what you mean by "nursing is my image types." There are braggarts and know-it-alls in nursing, just as there are in most occupational fields. Again, nursing IS a part of who (and what) I am, and that means I'm going to talk about it from time to time. In no way does that automatically translate into "gloating," or trying to convince anyone that I'm any more "real" than the next nurse---nor does it mean that I don't also talk about things that might improve patient care. Is it possible that you're letting a few annoying people color your attitude toward nurses in general?

[RN1984HH]

I aggree with you ...it will be up to us to change this...