Current Image of Professional Nursing Prof. L. D. Andrews
Nursing Shortage Average age of nursing graduate is 33 Average age of RN is 44 Average age of faculty is 50 By 2015, 50% of RNs expected to retire By 2006, job opportunities increased by 21%
Images of Nursing 1844, Sairy Gamp 1854, Nightengale in the Crimea 1857, Santa Filomena 1915, Edith Cavell 1936, White Angel 1942, So Proudly We Hailed 1942, We Band of Angels
Images of Nursing 1962, Nurse Ratched 1972, Hot Lips Hoolilhan 1940s, Nurse Rivers 1997, The English Patient 1997, Golf Magazine 1990s, Vietnam War Women’s Memorial 2000, Meet the Parents
Image Makers of Nurses Nurses of America Campaign convey to public that RNs are expert clinicians raising consciousness of invisibility of nursing in the news media
Public Concern with Nursing What is the image of nursing being created today? Saint vs. Sinner image “Can I trust my life to this RN? Public want to believe that knowledgeable, caring, committed and dedicated RNs will be available for them.
What the Public Believes About Nursing RNs ranked highest among all professions for the highest professional standards of honesty and ethics Public seek advice in 4 areas: self-care or immediate post op care OTC health care products admin and SE of prescription drugs interpreting physician-provided information
Why do RNs deride themselves in front of the public? Tee shirts Nurses do IT better Nurses get to the POINT run a CODE naked Sloppy clothing dirty, wrinkled childish symbols
RNs Clash between Beliefs and Reality Chose nursing because professional status made a difference (patient care rewards) pride in their profession 1990s Healthcare multiskilled, unlicensed workers avoid increasing salaries administrators earn high salaries
Business Model of Health Care Shift from altruistic to business model Mismatch: nursing care marketed and nursing care provided Amount and type of nursing care negotiated through third parties with economic concerns Competitive Marketplace scarce resources unlimited wants
Nursing’s View Female dominated by persons socialized to be anti-intellectuals Focus on skills rather than critical thinking Knowledge is power
Communicating with Physicians Factually document medical problems in patient care terms Stay on the issue, not personality Appropriate communication protect your time do not allow inappropriate interruptions
Communication Patterns RNs have a last name, use it Expect to be addressed in a professional manner as you would address other professionals
Believe in Nursing Valuing Nursing Protect the name of “Nurse” Only RNs should attend nursing staff meetings Identify yourself Protect the name of “Nurse” Insist on being addressed as a professional
Creating a New Image Nurses value nursing and image it daily Nurses take themselves seriously and dress the part Nurses recognize the value of caring, health promotion, health teaching, and illness care Nurses believe in themselves and their colleagues