By Megan M. Krischke, contributor
Nursing has changed dramatically over the last few years—along with those who choose to go into the profession. Yet the public, fueled by media misperceptions, has failed to accurately grasp the vital role nurses plays in modern health care.
According to Cheryl Mee, RN, BC, CMSRN, MSN, even when the media are not calling on one of the unflattering stereotypes of nurses, they typically oversimplify the job, and rarely portrays nurses as bright individuals who are making important contributions to health care. At the recent National Student Nurse Association convention, Mee, who is vice president of nursing and health professions journals at Elsevier, issued a call to student nurses to proactively shape the image of nursing.
Mee is passionate about the value of nursing and would like to see the next generation of nurses helping others understand that nursing is a career that requires critical thinking and an active role in patient-care decision-making—that a nurse’s day is not spent performing menial tasks like emptying bedpans and following doctors around.
“There are data that show the effectiveness of a nurse’s bedside care in hastening patient recovery and in decreasing mortality and complications,” Mee pointed out. “Nurses need to be more vocal about their critical role in patient health.”
Mee added that negative stereotypes are more than just frustrating—they can be detrimental. “Today, while we’re in the midst of a major nursing shortage, a negative image of nursing is especially damaging. To strengthen the profession, we need to attract the brightest students into nursing programs. But, how many bright candidates are attracted to a profession that some perceive as second rate?”
Changing the Channel
There are several avenues through which individual nurses can improve the public’s understanding of the nursing career. One of the key audiences available to nurses is the patients they serve. Before meeting a new patient, Mee suggests pausing a moment to ensure that you are able to present yourself to the patient in a professional and non-harried manner.
“As an example, use your full name, not just your first name, and identify yourself as a registered nurse. A physician wouldn’t walk into a room and say, ‘Hi, I’m Cherie’—and neither should you,” Mee advised. Providing patients with follow-up plans and/or a follow-up call after discharge can reinforce a positive impression.
Mee also encouraged nurses to become involved in their communities and in politics, from the local to national levels. “Consider presenting health information for local community groups. To make a big impact on students, consider visiting schools on career days,” she said.
There are many changes in health care policy on the horizon and nurses should to be in communication with the politicians who will be making decisions that influence the nursing profession. “Nurses can exert a lot of influence on shaping health care policies because of their numbers,” Mee said.
Plugged In
The three most important things nurses can do to grow in their career, as Mee sees it, is becoming certified in their specialties, going back to school and joining a nursing organization.
“It was through joining a nursing organization that I got support in attaining specialty certifications,” said Mee, who has held a certification in critical care and is currently certified in medical-surgical nursing. “Nursing organizations are a great way to network and find out how other nurses are doing things. They also help you get involved in activities that help move the profession forward.”
On top of promoting a more accurate view of nursing, Mee has made a very personal contribution to the nursing shortage—her son recently received his BSN and is working in an emergency department.
© 2007. AMN Healthcare, Inc. All Rights Reserved.