Pulse - Fall 2009

Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 2) Commentary The importance of the image of nursing By Janice Howard, RN, MS At a time when a national shortage of nurses is looming over the horizon, we must be taken seriously as a profession of highly educated individuals engaged in exciting and worthwhile endeavors. A lack of understanding by the public about what we as nurses do helps contribute to this shortage. Does the public understand that our practice is grounded in scientiﬁc theory, that we monitor our patients 24/7 utilizing the most sophisticated equipment, and that we save lives every day by our vigilant care? Does the public understand that nurses promote health and wellness and function in a myriad of settings both in and out of hospitals? Unfortunately, the answer to these questions is often a resounding “NO” as the public sees us as subservient to physicians, as naughty nurses and as a host of other untrue and unﬂattering stereotypes as portrayed by the various media outlets. According to Summers and Summers in their book, “Saving Lives: Why the Media’s Portrayal of Nurses Puts Us All at Risk,“ a lack of understanding of what nurses do undermines claims for adequate staﬃng and leads to a lack of resources for nursing practice, education and research. All of that means worse patient outcomes, including death. How can we be taken seriously when the metal band Motley Crue got coverage in the press for their Dr. Feelgood tour by arriving for a press conference in an ambulance with two “nurses” in skimpy white, low-cut uniforms trimmed in red with nurses’ caps? Who wants to entrust their lives to a bunch of bimbos? This generation is a visual one and they get their perceptions of our practice through the media. We cannot allow our profession to be portrayed through a negative lens. We must, as professionals, take these aﬀronts to our practice seriously and respond accordingly. Nurses must become proactive in promoting the real image of nursing. Let everyone know what you do as a nurse. Write letters, boycott television shows that portray nurses incorrectly and do not purchase products that use scantily clad “nurses” to peddle their goods. It is up to us to take control of our image. Janice Howard, RN, MS, is Legislative Chair of the District 1 Professional Nurses Association. �� of Aurora Park �� 2 Pulse / Fall 2009 http://www.jkoch@absolutcare.com Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pulse - Fall 2009 Pulse - Fall 2009 Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 1)
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