Which type of nurse would you prefer if you were a patient? Type one would hold your hand, rub your back, and speak softly to you if you were in pain. But they aren't exactly the sharpest Crayon in the box. Type two would be less personal but smarter. They would make small talk but avoid personal details, be very professional, be on time with all your medications, notice any changes in your condition immediately, and be able to explain everything to you in a very intelligent manner. Before you make your decision, let me put in my two cents.
There is a common idea that the profession of nursing is, "A calling." You can spot the nursey type people because they are caring, they're compassionate, and they may go out of their way to make you feel better. They are usually the mother Theresa type of people you know.
However, with the economy in the toilet, people are looking more and more toward high paying professions. Nursing has become quite popular lately... and I attribute this to the relatively short schooling (4 years) and decent pay (starting at $30/hr).
So you don't have to be called into nursing. There isn't a "Level of Caring" entry test you must pass before getting accepted to the program. The nurses coming into the profession who didn't feel a calling, but still enjoy their job, may be a little lacking on the nurturing side. But they still went through the same program, same training, and can carry out the same tasks.
So which would you chose? The caring nurse or the smart nurse?
Personally I would choose the smarty pants. I'll sacrifice the cool cloth on my head, the lotion on my back, the warm blankets, and all those other therapeutic interventions for a smart nurse! The nurse is the extension of the physician; carrying out their orders and responsible for notifying them of any change in condition. Yes... a caring nurse can be smart also. But I would take a smart bitchy nurse over a caring ditz any day! When it's all said and done, hand holding won't save your life. It takes brains to be a nurse - and I think that should call people to the profession over their nurturing ability!
There is a common idea that the profession of nursing is, "A calling." You can spot the nursey type people because they are caring, they're compassionate, and they may go out of their way to make you feel better. They are usually the mother Theresa type of people you know.
However, with the economy in the toilet, people are looking more and more toward high paying professions. Nursing has become quite popular lately... and I attribute this to the relatively short schooling (4 years) and decent pay (starting at $30/hr).
So you don't have to be called into nursing. There isn't a "Level of Caring" entry test you must pass before getting accepted to the program. The nurses coming into the profession who didn't feel a calling, but still enjoy their job, may be a little lacking on the nurturing side. But they still went through the same program, same training, and can carry out the same tasks.
So which would you chose? The caring nurse or the smart nurse?
Personally I would choose the smarty pants. I'll sacrifice the cool cloth on my head, the lotion on my back, the warm blankets, and all those other therapeutic interventions for a smart nurse! The nurse is the extension of the physician; carrying out their orders and responsible for notifying them of any change in condition. Yes... a caring nurse can be smart also. But I would take a smart bitchy nurse over a caring ditz any day! When it's all said and done, hand holding won't save your life. It takes brains to be a nurse - and I think that should call people to the profession over their nurturing ability!
Comments
Post a Comment