A Nurse
Posted by Sean on September 3, 2008
I am a nurse. For those of you that know me I don’t hide this. In fact I am very proud of my profession and my choice to become a Registered Nurse. I must confess before I pursued my nursing career my ideas of what a nurse is, what a nurse does, and what a nurse represents were very misguided and … well frankly just plain wrong!
I was like the rest of society. My impressions and opinions were formed from what I had seen and heard from the media, from what little knowledge I gained through my own schooling, as well as my own personal experiences.
"A nurse passes pills and cleans up poop right?"
"A nurse is the doctors subordinate right?"
"A nurse wears that funny white outfit and hat right?"
"Women are nurses and men are doctors right?"
Yep, I’ve heard most of ‘em. The sad thing is I hear this more than I ever hear anything that resembles the truth. What a nurse is, does and represents?
Here’s an even more upsetting fact. I did a Google search for the term ‘nurse’. Take a look at the first image that was listed:
That tells you what the public’s image is of a nurse. The stereotypical ‘naughty nurse’.. oversized breasts and an undersized mind and personality. I sit here shaking my head at what kind of battle we nurses face every day when it comes to not simply doing our job, but to have to defend our career and our profession on a daily basis from definitions like the one I just listed.
It’s either the ‘naughty nurse’ or the white-capped subordinate that most people will think of instead of the independent, critical-thinking, aggressive, compassionate healthcare professional that I work with and work as every day. (Check out some other thoughts on this subject at Head Nurse or About A Nurse)
Oh… and I didn’t even touch on the ‘male-nurse’ subject. 
Sean Dent said
@ Caroline That's a very interesting point. Thanks for commenting!
Caroline said
I love that the google image search is the cultural thermometer you used. Your assessment of this cliche is really true, and though I am not a nurse, my friends who are feel deeply angry or depressed, or a combination of the two, about the “nursey” stereotype. I'm curious if coming up against this so often causes some nurses burn out sooner?
bethenextstep said
@ Caroline That's a very interesting point. Thanks for commenting!
Caroline said
I love that the google image search is the cultural thermometer you used. Your assessment of this cliche is really true, and though I am not a nurse, my friends who are feel deeply angry or depressed, or a combination of the two, about the “nursey” stereotype. I'm curious if coming up against this so often causes some nurses burn out sooner?
Caroline said
I love that the google image search is the cultural thermometer you used. Your assessment of this cliche is really true, and though I am not a nurse, my friends who are feel deeply angry or depressed, or a combination of the two, about the “nursey” stereotype. I'm curious if coming up against this so often causes some nurses burn out sooner?
Mark Salinas said
My wife is an RN also….I might have to pick up some of those outfits!
Nurse Scrubs said
Good stuff, I “Stumbled” you. My DIGG account got messed up but I like Stumbling better anyway.
Nurse Scrubs said
Good stuff, I “Stumbled” you. My DIGG account got messed up but I like Stumbling better anyway.
My Strong Medicine » I’m a Passionate Nurse, and Passionate ABOUT Nursing said
[...] I had the same ‘cookie-cutter’ opinion’s as John Q Public. In fact I blogged about this once before. "A nurse passes pills and cleans up poop [...]
Strong One said
@ Laura Thank you for your kind words. It’s nice to hear.
Strong One said
@ Laura Thank you for your kind words. It’s nice to hear.
Laura Brandon said
Nurses have a really hard job. I almost went to school to be a nurse but ultimately decided I couldn’t handle it. It must be difficult trying to battle the stereotypes and all that, but know that some of us out there actually really do appreciate nurses
Laura Brandon said
Nurses have a really hard job. I almost went to school to be a nurse but ultimately decided I couldn’t handle it. It must be difficult trying to battle the stereotypes and all that, but know that some of us out there actually really do appreciate nurses
Strong One said
@ Diva Long time no see! Thanks for visiting!
@ Tracit3 How do you think I feel as a MALE nurse. GGrrr..
Strong One said
@ Diva Long time no see! Thanks for visiting!
@ Tracit3 How do you think I feel as a MALE nurse. GGrrr..
mielikki (aka tracit3) said
don’t forget the high heels and fishnet stockings. Every year they do a study about the profession most fantasized about. Every year a nurse is #1. I have yet to figure that one out….
mielikki (aka tracit3) said
don’t forget the high heels and fishnet stockings. Every year they do a study about the profession most fantasized about. Every year a nurse is #1. I have yet to figure that one out….
Michelle AKA Diva said
So this is where you are hanging your hat these days… I’ve only had a little while to do some poking around but as always… some excellent writing. Be good and take care…
M
Michelle AKA Diva said
So this is where you are hanging your hat these days… I’ve only had a little while to do some poking around but as always… some excellent writing. Be good and take care…
M
Strong One said
(shaking me head)
Strong One said
(shaking me head)
Mark Salinas said
My wife is an RN also….I might have to pick up some of those outfits!