I haven't really used this blog in a few years, but recent events of a few women publically bashing a profession and disciple, that was started by women, has made me need to say something. The co-hosts of "The View" really need think before they speak, especially when deciding to make embarrassing and disappointing statements that proceed to tick off 3 million plus nurses and health care professionals around the nation. I am so very proud to be a nurse and have all the respect for Miss Colorado, Kelley Johnson, for showing this nation that her career as a nurse really does matter.
Anyways, the following I posted on Facebook earlier today:
I don't normally care for The View but now I REALLY don't. To criticize Miss Colorado for telling the world about how she feels being a Nurse is her real talent is honestly very disappointing. What struck a cord with me is that her stethoscope was referred to as a "doctor's stethoscope." I'm sorry, Ms. Behar, but one of the first things you get when you are admitted to nursing school is a stethoscope. This is so we can listen to our patient's heart and lungs, to make sure they are working normally, and if they aren't, we can tell their doctor. Nurses are typically with patients for 8, 12, or 16 hours at a time. We get to know these people, and when there is a change in their condition, we are typically the first to know. Its a gut feeling for most of us in the field, and this gut feeling helps us keep our patient's safe and has saved their lives.
As for Alzheimer's patients, they are some of the more difficult ones to care for due to their disease. It makes them forget what is wrong with them and why they are in the hospital. They try to leave, try to hit us, and don't even realize they are doing anything wrong. It's heartbreaking. But those moments when they are able to be lucid, and you see the person underneath, it makes caring for them worth it. I cannot even count the times I have run full speed down the hall to a bed alarm, hoping to get there before the patient -who probably forgot where he/she was - ends up falling on the floor because they tried to get out of bed on their own.
As a nurse, we sacrifice our time to go to the bathroom, eat a full meal, drink water, and sit down to keep people, loved ones, safe. I have been told multiple times by patient's and their families "I couldn't do what you do." And I take that as a complement, because I believe I was called to be a nurse. It is a talent to be able to do your job well - talent and hard work. So Miss Colorado, I think your monologue was fantastic, realistic and raw. You did your best to show in a few minutes what we do each day we are on the job. It takes bravery and talent to do something like that in a competition typically full of traditional talents. And as for you ladies of The View: come walk a mile in a nurse's shoes (and make sure you wear good ones because we walk a LOT) before you go criticizing a person, and a field, that saves lives on a regular basis.
All in all. Think before you speak. Respect and support women when they believe their career is their talent, because a lot of times, it is.
