Seriously?

(This is a late reaction to what has transpired a few weeks ago.)

I am a proud nurse before all else. I will always acknowledge that I have achieved the words "registered nurse" with dignity and pride for I know the hard work that comes into being one. I will never be ashamed that I had to change bed sheets, change diapers, take vital signs, administer drugs, measure urine outputs, drain a colostomy bag and still have the part of me that wants to sit next to a patient and in all sincerity, show concern. I love being a nurse, which is why it pains me to hear my instructors, who are doctors for that matter, bad mouth nurses. Seriously, two letters added to your name does not make you superior. Nurses are not your inferiors, we are your partners in health service. These condescending comments did not just start a few weeks ago, but it's been happening for quite some time now. It's been going on for so long that I've forgotten some of the comments.

Strike one. During our PD class, my instructor was discussing regarding therapeutic communication and history taking. She starts telling us about who you can ask for information and begins citing people to ask regarding history taking. Relatives of the patient, consultants, residents, interns, nurses.. wait, no, not nurses. Don't ask nurses. Seriously? We are just as helpful as the residents are. She offered no explanation as to why we shouldn't ask nurses for information.

Strike two. An intimidating lecturer was discussing about cardiovascular problems and how to diagnose them. He talked about the stethoscope and how it would be a good tool in diagnosing heart problems. He then said that the proper way of wearing your stethoscope is to insert the earpieces with the earpieces pointing outward. He added that if one wore the earpieces with them pointing inward would make us like nurses. Seriously? Do we look stupid? Does he look at nurses to be airheaded individuals?


I wish I could stand up and ask them what their problems were with nurses, unfortunately, med school has its hierarchy. If a med student tries to speak up to a consultant, rest assured, you will be a "favorite". Sad, I know, so most of us who are nurses would just have to be content at reacting from a distance and venting out our frustrations when needed. One day, I will be a nurse-doctor and hopefully I don't turn out to be like them.