Where is our support from the media??

Nurses Activism

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Just rather curious as to why our cause doesn't seem to get much national attention/support from the media? Kinda wonder sometimes if there aren't some kick backs going on...shrug.

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specifically, to what "cause" do you have reference?

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We don't have a united powerful voice that speaks and lobbies for us. Teachers, are a great example. There is a profession dominated by women that have strong unions and a "kick ass" retirement system. Also, the American Hospital Association and the AMA have rich, powerful lobbies which work to undermine nursing and standard of care agendas. For example, CA nurse pt ratio laws are must be complied with in Jan 2004, the AHA has already outlined tactics to use to undermine the ratios and to persuade the public that they are not necessary. {go to the CNA site for more info} The AHA has also told hospitals to engage physicians in the fight to undermine ratios.

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I do think we need to overhall our public persona. Have you ever noticed that when ever the media has a special report about something affecting people's health--they only ever show doctors interviewed. Have you ever noticed that when the media has a "medical reporter" it is either someone with NO medical background or a DR of medicine.

As I recall from my nursing history class, public education and community awareness of wellness issues was first taken on by a nurse in the beginning of the last century in NY city by a NURSE, Lilian Bard I think her name was. I don't know what has happened to us since--but I think it is within our relm of practice and should be taken back.

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Agree totally!! Nurses need PR help big time but it needs to reflect and involve the grass roots nurses -- the ones in the trenches -- rather than the "professional organizations" that are supposed to represent the nurses but don't.

Many organizations sell out their members in favor of the pharmaceutical company $$$ and product promotions that fund the poh lit'l not for profit's annual meetings and yogurt bars. In the end everybody loses ....everybody but the pharmaceutical companies.

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It is way beyond yogurt bars-it is more like all expenses paid luxury vacations-for docs and administrators anyway!!!!

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It is shameful. Can you imagine what would happen if nurses took back their profession and started their own new nonprofit with a mission to be medically and morally ethical? No pharmaceutical b.s. -- just about nurses and nursing.

Powerful option there for the taking. Internet can make it happen -- no fancy tropical destinations in the wintertime or exhibit halls for everyone to sell their b.s. -- plain and simple, no need for parmaceutical dollars ------- just use the magnificent freedom (note the letters that spell "free") that the web provides to advocate without selling out.

Too cool. :cool: Allnurses.com is testimony to the power of having a voice! If I'm not mistaken we do still live in America.

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Originally posted by LucyGoosey

Agree with you totally. It is shameful. Can you imagine what would happen if nurses took back their profession and started their own new nonprofit with a mission to be medically and morally ethical?....

How's this for a name...Reality Nursing (RN)...I know, hoagie, but hey it speaks to what were trying to accomplish.

Kinda wonder where the ANA is in all of this and why they aren't on the front lines and using the media to help us. What is it going to take to get the AHA, AMA and The People to listen and take us seriously, a nation wide walk out? Is it because this is a female dominated profession (no disrespect towards the guys intended) and "powers that be" think that we aren't capable of being assertive enough to take a stand? Kinda reeks of "good lil nursies don't make waves"- and there are numerous of us that buy into that ideology.

Arrrrggggg, sorry for ranting, just seriously frustrated, thanks for listening.

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Originally posted by PsykoRN

Just rather curious as to why our cause doesn't seem to get much national attention/support from the media? Kinda wonder sometimes if there aren't some kick backs going on...shrug.

Because people on the outside looking in see our plight as a bunch of whining. A common response is...well if it's so bad, then don't do it. Or...you knew what you were getting yourself into. And amazingly, we hear this from others in the medical field as well.

So easy to make such a statement when you aren't the one depending on a stranger to care enough to notice that there is no longer a pulse in an extremity which used to have a pulse as well as 6+ other pts.

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another powerful lobby group that does NOT have the interests of nurses at heart. Sadly, they are nurses....but they only advance management interests.

If we took back our nurses' association and were willing to get involved physically and monetarily we could be a force to reckon with. But will we ever see this? I hope to see it before I retire.:cool:

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please go to my "How to get attention from the media, attack an icon" thread on this board and click on link.

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Not finding the link you just posted. Help needed to find it.

RealityNursing sounds great to me.

Doesn't mean have to start from the very beginning -- just means putting a stop to supporting the status quo. Telling the adminstrators that the gig is up. The Allnurses activism section has ability to get ball rolling with an on line petition.

The big nonprofits have become banks. Here's an example:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-11-28-aarp-grows_x.htm

"It's important for people to know what you stand for. It's more important to let people know what you won't stand for."

Anonymous

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