It seems like there are so many childish things around nursing and I just don't get it. The frumpy cartoonish uniform tops, the corny "angel" statues and dust catchers aimed at nurses. Our billboards at work speak of "Being on the Bus" and features a short yellow school bus and a "pledge" form that we are all supposed to sign that features lots of cartoon characters. The form is for us to say we agree with the hospital policies on working as a team, getting along with others etc. Seriously our bulletin board looks like something I would expect to see in a 4th or 5th grade classroom. Lots of big fat yellow smiley faces all over everything. IMHO it's demeaning, debasing and I hate having this nonsense aimed at me, a 58 yo nurse working since 1975!
There are rolls of bright cartoon stickers we are supposed to put on glasses of ice water to give to the patients with phrases like "I've been a good patient"!, "You are awesome"!, "You are someone special"!. You know, the sort of thing you would expect to see in pediatrics, NOT on a general med/surg floor. Needless to say I refuse to use them.
Our supervisor recently told us that if we hear someone say something "not nice" we are supposed to get one of those fat oily yellow face stickers and put it on the person upside down, so the smile will appear instead as a frown.
Does anyone else see this, I know the other nurses I work with also find it stupid and ridiculous.
If you want to be treated and respected like a professional, you must dress and act like one. This action of cute stickers and stuff, belongs on pediatrics.
I think it is more for the patients. There are only so many ways we can make the hospital environment more comfortable for them. Sometimes cheesy little things (like a burst of color on your uniform for St. Patty's Day) are comforting in an environment that is very sterile and unfamiliar. As for some of the signs and things they make the staff read...I feel your pain!
I am fine with some of the stuff ... but sometimes it goes too far. I wish nurses and nursing students would stop buying some of the demeaning c***.
I also think that too much of that stuff hurts the image of our profession. When people (i.e. physicians, administrators, finance people, leading business people, etc.) see nurse look and act child-like, it reinforces an image of nursing that is "less than" the more high powered professions that those people treat with respect. It may be a subconsious effect, but I think the effect is real. If we want to be treated like adult, respected professionals, we need to look, talk, and act like it.
But there is a time and a place for everything -- even a few "cutesy" things. I just wish it wouldn't be so prevalent and SOOOO demeaning sometimes.
I also have to say, I don't think eliminating "fun" approaches to things means that anyone takes you more seriously. You've got the people in life that work so hard to get taken seriously, but then you've also got the people who are super successful and have kooky clothing and a relaxed approach to things and enjoy life, and are just as respected. You just don't have to be incredibly dull, boring and professional all the time to work in a skilled career or have people's respect.
I agree. If that is the only way I will be respected in nursing, I may as well just quit now. BUT--I understand the history of the nursing profession, and that as nurses we have worked hard to gain more respect for our profession, as this has been an uphill battle, some people don't even consider nursing as a PROFESSION. I'm sure the uniforms, holiday socks, etc..hasn't helped much but why are others allowed to be goofy and laidback in their careers, have quirky personalities, but if nurses are like that it makes the profession look worthless??
Let's put it this way - you can have fun and be professional, but cute does not serve "the cause". Here's a video that demonstrates it pretty well - It depicts a doctor, not a nurse, but the end perception on the part of patients is the same. Warning - it may not be work appropriate. This is how we are perceived when we put on the cute factor when working with patients. Their health is a serious matter to them, we should treat them as such. Doesn't mean we can't laugh and joke with patients, just means the hair flip, tweety bird tops and hot pink pants are probably not working in our favor.
Gee, you don't think cheesy stickers and a happy-smily workplace fully make up for low pay, lack of breaks & respect? Perhaps you can put an unhappy face on your next check, or better yet, the CEO. I would be tempted to place unhappy face stickers EVERYWHERE. Don't like your assignment? Unhappy face. Rude, demanding family? Unhappy face. Next time you see an elder who can't afford meds, be sure to tell them that's not in the hospital budget, but hey, would they like an unhappy face sticker? We have plenty of those!
Doesn't mean we can't laugh and joke with patients, just means the hair flip, tweety bird tops and hot pink pants are probably not working in our favor.
Thank goodness for reserve and the ability to bite my toungue because so help me if someone puts a sticker on me while I'm complaining about why there is no primary tubing or insulin syringes on the floor...
Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
Gee, you don't think cheesy stickers and a happy-smily workplace fully make up for low pay, lack of breaks & respect? Perhaps you can put an unhappy face on your next check, or better yet, the CEO. I would be tempted to place unhappy face stickers EVERYWHERE. Don't like your assignment? Unhappy face. Rude, demanding family? Unhappy face. Next time you see an elder who can't afford meds, be sure to tell them that's not in the hospital budget, but hey, would they like an unhappy face sticker? We have plenty of those!
OK, you owe me a Coke Zero because I just spit it all out! This is FUNNY!!! Put an unhappy face on my next check!!!! I love this idea. I am afraid that we would have so many unhappy face stickers on the manager's door that she would not be able to open it! Sort of like crime scene tape filled with unhappy faces!
2011NursingStudent
346 Posts
It would be battery, not assault, and that's ridiculous.