Knowing my Place

I recently read a post at N=1 that has my back up.
Let me start off by saying I read N=1, this is a blogger that has some powerful things to say. And I have no intention of starting a blogosphere war. But I am angry at the statement that because I chose a certain name, which happens to be my nickname in my family thank you very much, I am denigrating nursing as cartoonish. How dare you?

I am a damn good nurse, I hold certifications in Critical care and Emergency nursing. I have mentored many new nurses who are now damn good nurses. I am respected by my colleagues, including the doctors I work with, for my experience, skill and knowledge. I want what is right for my patients and will go to great lengths to see that they get the care that they require. I am not afraid to stand up to administration, in fact I am rather well known for that. I have made some very distinct and positive changes in the way of procedures and staffing at the last two hospitals I worked at because i am not shy about fighting for what I believe in. I take every opportunity at work and in the community to make sure people know exactly what a nurse does and why we are so important. In no way do I believe that I am inferior to the Physician, I perform a different role in the team and therefore have as much value as any team member. I demand respect and I give respect to my fellow team members in return.

If nurses are feeling undervalued, denigrating the physician is not the way to improve our lot in life. We are undervalued because we permit ourselves to be. We need to educate the public as to what we do. We need to join a strong union to force hospital administration to treat us with the respect that we deserve. We need to stop backbiting like a bunch of high school girls and stand together. When we are strident and bitter the opportunity to get the message out there is lost because people will turn away.

I didn't choose my blog name to pimp myself as i have been accused. My blog is mine, it's personal like a diary. If others choose to read it, great. If they don't, fine. For those that read it thanks, I hope you enjoy yourself. If you don't like what i have to say then don't come back.