One stereotype of nursing (and it's perpetuated by nurses as well as by those not in the medical or nursing fields) that bothers me is that of nurses as "angels of mercy."We're expected to smile while up to our elbows in bloody shit and vomit, be pleasant to rude and sometimes violent people, put up with crap from doctors, managers, patients, their families, nurse techs, and janitors yet keep our cool, never cry, never sweat, never lose our tempers with each other, always be prepared and be right there when we are needed.
We're expected to be a "cool hand on a fevered brow" or a sweet smile in a time of difficulty, or a shoulder to cry on--every day, every minute, every hour.
Look: I love being a nurse. I love being able to make you feel better. And when I have time (ie, when I have less than 12 patients all screaming my name and falling on the floor--and not in a rock star Beatles type of way), I can get you a pillow, and tuck you in, and be that cool hand.
But sometimes I'm having a bad day: bad news from family, got up late, working my third 12-hour shift in a row, have to pee, hungry, got spat on six times already. I'm a human being. I have a family, and a life outside of this hospital, although sometimes it doesn't feel like it.
So when this happens, you can count on me to be as kind to you as I can, and be professional, and to do my job.
But pardon me if my wings are not unfurled as majestically as you'd like, and if my halo is a little tarnished. I got some melena on it during the last GI bleed and I haven't quite gotten it to the laundry yet.
14 comments:
I'm glad you said one stereotype, because there were a few that came to mind for me.
Being a male nurse I still hear from older patients, are you doing this until you become a doctor? With more than 90% of nurses being women it is still stereotyped as a female occupation.
Which goes with the other one that the media still portrays nurses as being, shall we say a little promiscuous.
Angels of Mercy sounds like a Christian Rock band from the 80's.
Ooh, it does! They would have toured with Stryper!
Too funny and too true. Even if you have an aide to help, seems they always disappear when somebody needs to go to the bathroom, or needs changing. When I have worked 8 hours of my 12 hour shift without breakfast, lunch, potty break, or even a sip of water past my lips, I tend to get a little bitchy, and you know what...I don't feel like an Angel of Mercy at all.
I can completely empathize with what you are saying. I am glad you ended with (paraphrasing) being as kind and professional as can be. It's not easy; and there are days when no breakfast, lunch, or dinner break are possible. But at the end of the day, as long as you know you did the best you could to help your patients and their family--even if that means all you did was hold their hand--it was a good day after all.
Well, there was the Sisters of Mercy. But, who cares about some Goth shit anyhoo?
- hubbins
Here Here!!! Get your beer. This was toast worthy. I completely agree with what was said. I have worked in the ED and on ambulances in the past and it seems that everyone must always have the biggest smile and greatest attitude even though you have dealt with the Shit Demon in the next room.
Preach it, sister! Go 'head on with your bad self. Wait, I meant nurse angel self. Yuk, yuk. :-)
Hahaha.
I was called an angel by a patient a few weeks ago. One of my classmates heard her and wouldn't let me forget it. I smiled and hold him just to ignore the horns....they're there to keep my halo on straight. ;-)
I was once told by a family that I cleaned up their daughter better than anyone else.....my friends now tease me about being an ass wipe champion....gotta love some Kayx.
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