I am a new nurse, a male nurse, and a recent graduate from nursing school.
Although I have only been in the profession a short time, it is clear to me that the term "nurse" is not politically correct. I know there are people who will argue against this, but that happens whenever people suggest looking for politically correct alternatives. So, the question is, what word will replace "nurse" as a more politically correct job title? It seems that "RN" has the most traction, except that it isn't really a title as much as an acronym. I don't even really know of any other words. Things like "caregiver" seem too general.
I have searched these forums, and found a couple of discussions, but no clear suggestions for real alternatives.
And, for the record, this is why I think the word "nurse" needs to be reimagined:
- The associated definition of nursing as "breastfeeding,"
- The definition of nursing as "to hold closely and carefully or caressingly"
- The definition of nursing as "to hold (a cup or glass) in one's hands, drinking from it occasionally"
- The historical implications of nurses as submissive, non-autonomous, and following a doctors orders. (The changed waiter to server, right? - because their job is to serve food, not wait on customers. Likewise, a nurses job is much more than just to passively sit with patients and "nurse" them while the doctor does all the work.)
- The sterotype of a woman in a white outfit with a cute white hat.
- Most of all, because when I get home from 12 hours of work, I have absolutely no feeling that "I nursed my patients today."
Obviously, much of this resolves around the issue of gender and that nursing is a somewhat gender-biased word, but even for women I don't think nursing really accurately describes what we do each day as RNs (or LPNs for that matter).
Personally, I find the phrase "male nurse" kinda irritating; it makes me want to say "female nurse" just to see the confused looks it would bring on.
The odd thing about this thread, really, is that someone newly graduated from nursing school has the time AND the inclination to ponder such a silly thing!
Nurse, Registered Nurse, or RN are all correct terms. Also don't get too caught up in political correctness, people need to call things as they see them. Political correctness is a joke.
Nurse is the correct term. Once I become a nurse, I would much rather be referred to as a nurse or RN than a caregiver. Times have changed and when people hear "nurse," they seldom envision breastfeeding or women in cute little white dresses.
Maybe I've never had a problem with the title because I'm a woman. I'm guessing you've experienced some ridicule as a male nurse (just judging by your post). I've seen others ridicule male nurses and I'm sorry it happens.
For a period of time my hospital insisted on calling everyone "associates". It got to the point patients couldn't tell who their nurse was. Now we have to wear color coded scrubs and each room has a color chart for the patients. As a title, Registered Nurse works for me.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Ask the State Boards of Nursing if you are at all unclear. You will be told "registered/licensed practical/NURSE. Not "murse" or any other such silly title. Political correctness has nothing to do with it. The title of "nurse" IS the title that is correct. AND only NURSES may use it.
Well, I can honestly say I spent more time reading OP's first post (not the entire thread mind you), than I have put time into thinking about the topic as a whole. Sorry OP, you've got too much time on your hands.
Why should anybody really care about being "politically correct"? Is that what our society has slouched to? I am thinking that such is the case. Some people want to keep changing the name of something wothout fixing the initial problem. Oh, that's right... we should not use the word "problem" and should instead use "issue". But then, the word "issue", especially in the plural form, denotes "behavioral" instability (i.e., "that person has issues") and saying "mental health" is verboten and is judgmental. Being judgmental is bad because we are not supposed to judge any person (unless the person is conservative and/or Republican), place (unless it is Wal-Mart), or thing (unless it is one of those eeeeeeeeeeeevil EssYewVees).
This appears to be somewhat of a conundrum.
How about just calling a nurse a nurse, and it's all good? What is not to be proud of? :)
target98765
194 Posts
Is it possible to unread what I just read?