What are we... Nurses or Scientists?

Published

I guess I'm on a roll. I'm a new member and really am interested in all the posts I have visited. Let me ask a question in the hope of some interesting replies.

When we think of a Computer Scientist, a Medical Doctor, A Law Professor or a Nuclear Scientist, we visualize the stereotypical image of each one. When people think of a Nurse, the image of a uniformed bedpan carrying Florence Nightingale probably comes to mind. Now although we all know that the Nursing profession has evolved and now includes training never imagined in the past, doesn't it seem odd that we still retain this ridiculous title of "NURSE" ? I would be interested to know if anyone has an opinion on this, and any suggestions for a new designation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

"Nurse" is not a ridiculous title. As Father Mulcahey in the TV show "MASH" said when the nurses staged a little strike and the rest of the staff had to learn the hard way how much they actually did for the camp .... '"Nurse" is also a verb. '

That's an important point. Science is the study of things. Nursing is a practice discipline. We don't merely study people, health, etc. We study these things so that we can take action to improve things. The "taking action" part is an important, defining characteristic of the discipline.

There are many nurse-scientists in the world. I, myself, am one sometimes. Usually, I consider myself more of a nurse-philosopher and sometimes nurse-educator. But I would never stop considering myself a "nurse" in spite of my advanced education and intellectual activities.

As for Miss Nightingale ... how much do you really know about her, the work she did, and the contributions she made to society? I suggest you do your homework before you put her down. Our nursing heritage is full of strong, brilliant, visionary women (and a few men) whose accomplishments we will never equal.

llg

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sorry....you have completely misunderstood the point I am making and aplogise if I have offended you. If after years of University education, I think I'd like to have a different title, but hey! everyone to their own opinion and that's what I was looking for. and I think it is INDEED a ridiculous title. As for Florence!....yes I am very aware of her contribution in every aspect but we live in the year 2004. My own British training taught us a lot about Florence. Have a great day!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Aphrodite, thank you for your friendly comment back to my earlier post. I wasn't really offended by your post ... it's just that after years of nursing practice and higher education, I no longer have a need to try to assert myself (or command respect, or whatever) in that kind of way.

Why can't we just get comfortable with the fact that the world, its people, and its professions evolve with time. No profession is exactly the same as it was 150 years ago. There is no need to go around changing titles, etc. everytime someone takes another step on the evolutionary scale.

If there is one thing that is constant, it is change. The discipline of nursing changes every day -- as does every other field of endeavor. Just think how confusing the world would be if every profession changed its title every time something about it changed!

llg

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I started my Nursing Program my first thought was that, oh my god people are going to call me a nurse. The reason I thought this was all my life I worked in sawmills, or tireshops and as a backyard mechanic as well as various other labour intensive jobs. After being in these testosterone filled jobs I could not fathom being called a nurse.

6 years later, I have grown to understand that telling people you are (or in my case will be) a nurse automatically commands you a certain amount of respect. It is a great feeling when someone asks your profession and you tell them I am a nurse they seem to brighten up and say OH REALLY THAT's GREAT", it is almost like you can change a persons mood just by telling them your occupation.

So even though I thought in the beginning of school that they should really look at an alternate name for a nurse to make it more generic on a gender level (mainly to save my male pig ego :D ) I am now proud to anounce that I am (I mean will be lol) a nurse.

It has taken Nurses a long time to gain the respect our profession now has, and I think a name change would hinder that.

We actually spoke about it in class the other day. RNAO (Registered Nurses Association of Ontario) has 14,000 members and they have already affected political changes in health care. Can you imagine How much political pull we would have as an organisation if we could somehow get all 114,000 nurses in Ontario on the same team it would be amazing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love the title nurse. I worked really hard to have the right to sign Registered Nurse after my name:) It may be old fashioned and bring up some negative ideas (like the slutty nurse stereotype, ICK!!), but I think the good outweighs the bad. I am proud to be a part of a profession that has a long history and the title is a part of that history.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Maybe a different title would change the public's impression of what RN's do. I'm thinking that we might be 'Healthcare Engineers'. Seems a lot of professions like to use that 'engineer' title, even a sanitation engineer seems to get more respect!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
Originally posted by BlueKat

Maybe a different title would change the public's impression of what RN's do.

Believe it might do us and the profession well to be open to this kind of thinking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion