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CtheworldRN
Active Member
Posts:60
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| 10/13/2009 10:56 AM |
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I just came back from a family (big!) reunion. And I typically do not get into discussions over the usual hot topics such as politics, religion, etc. But, while sitting down with 4 aunts and uncles, we started talking about the economy and someone asked me whether it has affected me. I lamented over the LPN layoffs that has been happening to a few of my friends and that I am also concerned about losing my hours, etc. And... (I swear I am not joking) my Aunt asked if nurses really won't be needed anymore ANYWAY. She said well, with technology being able to dispense meds and with nursing assistants able to make beds, clean up vomit and clean butts and doctors taking care of patients, nurses are dispensable. I am was so angry that I think I was shaking when I asked her what did she think nurses did? And she said that she was not trying to be offensive, but that she actually decided not to be a nurse because all we do is take orders from doctors, clean up after bodily spills and what kind of career is that? (And that's why she married a doctor!)
My mother had to calm me down and I had to leave the room. But you know what made me madder is that rather than educating this moron (I can say that because she is technically my uncle's wife), I got mad and insulted and didn't or couldn't say anything NOT to defend, but to educate. I dont' even think she knows I have my BSN (does she even know what that is??) I think there is a general misconception about exactly what nurses do. There are so many stereotypes about being a nurse that I don't think what I do is given enough respect or credit in my family! And I think I'm not alone???? This just happened this weekend and I am still stewed about it. I am just upset about this whole thing. Then, I think that maybe it is in my nature inherently to just do what I do and not really talk much about it. But really?? People think all I do is clean up after peoples bedpans and take orders from doctors?
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Jennifer
New Member
Posts:1
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| 10/14/2009 9:58 AM |
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| Most people don't have a clue. Only other nurses do. |
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Advisor
Experienced Member
Posts:143
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| 10/14/2009 10:11 AM |
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I can understand how upset you are as these things sometimes happen to me too. I do agree that the general public truly do not grasp the education, training and knowledge that nurses have to have in order to do what we do. In general, people define nurses as "caring" and maybe because they only see us "caring", most don't comprehend the education, the clinical hours and the years of experience behind our care. Also, bear in mind, the profession has evolved with the times. Not too long ago, nursing was quite different than what it is now. (some for the good, some for the bad.. in my humble opinion). But not to many can dispute that today, there are so many more opportunities available of nurses including opportunities away from the bedside. So, I think we all should take more responsibility in making people aware of what it is we really do.
Ctheworld, I would recommend dealing with the situation in 1 of 2 ways. First, how close are you with this relative? Is it worth it to speak with her in private and letting her know how much her comment bothered you? If it is worth it to speak to her, then I would suggest paying her a visit and casually explain the dynamics of our modern health care team. A doctor cannot do his responsibilities without the partnership of a good nurse team. It simply cannot be done. It is a team effort, period. And I don't mean to be disrespectful, but based on my experience, there may be a generational gap (and hence a different mentality) between you and Aunt. The fact she mentioned that "she married a doctor" tells you that. So, in some ways, it may not be worth it. You know your worth. 
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sstevens88
New Member
Posts:3
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| 10/25/2009 2:58 PM |
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| All we have to do is watch TV to see why non-nurses have their perception of nurses doing nothing. The hospital and nurse shows depict doctors doing nursing tasks. |
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sstevens88
New Member
Posts:3
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| 10/25/2009 2:59 PM |
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| I have been a CNA , an LVN/LPN and am now working on my BSN-RN. I see how undervalued nurses are on TV shows. |
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Pat
New Member
Posts:2
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| 03/28/2010 1:38 PM |
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| Nursing is one of the most respected professions the world is full of knukleheads just disregard them. |
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KY-RN
Junior Member
Posts:28
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| 06/24/2010 9:01 PM |
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This situation is exactly why I push at my hospital for community education for the health care professions. Not only nursing, but surgical technologists, medical lab technologists and others. I have been able to have instituted programs that bring in people from the community to job shadow these people during the work day so they may see what we do on a daily basis. It has been eye opening for many people and has expanded to even allow some to come into the OR and view surgical procedures. All precautions are taken including educating the observers on HIPAA, Blood Borne Pathogens, and they have to have immunizations up to date. Patients are also notified that an observer will be in their room and they have the right to refuse having the observer there. We have never had a patient refuse or complain and the surgeons, nurses and others have accepted it as well. Try being pro- active and begin such a program, then invite your relative to be among the first to observe you in your job. Good luck.
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Orlando
Junior Member
Posts:13
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| 07/31/2010 12:32 PM |
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A letter from a Bolivian nurse:
This is one of the experiences of the many that I have had and I want to share it with you.
Your words touched my heart . Here in Bolivia I had many patients and I loved to be with them, talk with them, share their sadness and give them strength so that they can face the illnesses that they have.
In the Viedma hospital I had a patient, an elderly man who had been hit by a minibus and had broken bones. I took care of him as if he were my grandfather. I still remember his face but when he died I cried a lot at the hospital because I had become fond of him.
A nurse told me that I had to be strong and that I should not become fond of the patients because they are not our family. In truth, I paid her no attention.
Also there was a young man who thanked me and told me that I was very good and hat patience with the patients. He had a herniated disc and he changed to another hospital but he was a very good person.
I helped two patients whose families had forgotten them. They suffered third degree burns and suffered so much when the doctors treated them, and I brought them a little fruit or sometimes food because nobody came to visit them. They were in the hospital for a year and whan they left the hospital they called me. One of they went to Oruro (a city in Bolivia) and the other with his children. I met with them and said, how is it possible that you forget that your father is in the hospital. They changed, and they went to see him. Now he is with them. They even invited me to their house for lunch.
It made me angry that my co-workers did not want to take care of them because they smelled bad. I went, and I didn’t care about that.
There was a young patient, 22 years old, who had cirrhosis and was unconscious. I remember that it was already very late, time for me to leave, and he was with his nasal stomach pump for his feeding and I was leaving and I remembered that I had not cleaned the pump and I returned to the hospital to leave it clean. Afterwards I left happy because I left my patient clean even though he was unconscious for two days. He died but when we did everything we could for him he cried tears. He felt pain even though he was unconscious and could not speak. Now I tell many people that smoking and drinking is very damaging to one’s health.
I also met street children who had been stabbed. When they were in the hospital I brought them bananas because the truth is that the hospital staff did not give them the same importance as others because they were from the street. It is unfair what they did.
Orlando, you told me about the beautiful experience that you had with the pigeon. Almost the same thing happened to me. A dog was run over by a car and was in the middle of the street and mini buses were passing and I said that if they pass the center they will continue running over it and nobody was capable of moving it. It was already dead. I crossed the street and lifted it by its little paws and people looked at me strangely, because an animal couldn’t be as important as the people who surrounded it.
I want to tell you Orlando that I would have liked to have been your nurse and to listen to you. It would be very beautiful.
It is not fair that some nurses and doctors do not treat the patients with importance. If not, why did they study this profession?
What is important Orlando is that you forget the bad memories and remember always your beautiful memories and I want your health to improve so that your heart is strong. Please take good care.
May God bless you very much, and take care of you and heal you |
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brewmarian
New Member
Posts:1
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| 08/09/2010 4:49 AM |
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That is definitely very stereotypical! Indeed many people are misinformed about what is "nursing" and who are "nurses".
If they only knew the truth that nurses are not doctor's assistance but doctor's colleagues and a lot of times better than doctors. Whew!
I blame media for bringing different views on nurses (of course there are exceptions). Bad impressions on nurses like making beds, cleaning up vomit and cleaning butts,and sometimes consider as sexual object only came from many TV shows and movies and many other wrong depictions of nurses. |
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Brewmariannie is a product consultant for hospital scrubs like lab coats, Cherokee scrubs and other branded medical uniforms at Pulse Uniform. We ship throughout the US, Canada and internationally. |
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