Friday, July 16, 2010

The Public Perception of Nursing (as demonstrated by Barbie)

As you may already know, I am a NICU nurse.  Recently (during a very contentious labor dispute), there was quite a bit of talk amongst my RN friends regarding how the general public doesn't really understand what nursing is all about.  Much angst and gnashing of teeth was to be had. 

I submit to you what I believe the general public "knows" about nursing, as demonstrated by Barbie.

Barbie, circa 1961
Ah, the traditional nurse, in her white starched cap and dress.
  But lets look a little closer, shall we?


Clearly, she is smart, as her diploma indicates.
And as we all know...
 only smart girls wear horned-rim glasses...


But can she really be all that smart? 
I mean, she isn't even wearing the glasses,
that she clearly must need because good golly,
look at that makeup!


And blue eyeshadow?  Really?
She looks more ready to go out to the clubs.

Open-toed heals??  To WORK?
Clearly she has never heard of plantar fasciitis.
Or dropped needles in a toe.

And if this is really in her "thought bubble", then no wonder
hospital administrators think we nurses are worthless.


And I am sure that the hospital administrators wish
Target was doing the pricing.



Thank you to all my nurse friends,
For all you do everyday you do it. 
You deserve all that is great and good in the world. 
Never forget that. 

2 comments:

Apraxia Mom said...

Ah yes! We nurses are so misunderstood: by both the public and the administrations that we work for!

Thanks for posting!

nathansmomsherry said...

I am learning our society is full of stereotypes. Thanks for making me laugh! Fellow nurse her as well but I hung up my nursing cap (never did have a cap but I recieved a cool school pin) 10 years ago do don soley a mommy hat.

I am forever indebted to the NICU nurses....Thank you!

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