Why, as caregivers, do we often assume we are the only ones doing the caring, and the rest of the medical staff shows up only to collect a paycheck?
We nurses often see ourselves as the only patient's advocate and turn advocacy into an "us vs. them" tug-of-war. What happened to the team approach to patient care? Don't think it's only "them" that are responsible for this. We play a part in the dysfunction by putting on a holier-than-thou attitude that alienates the rest of the team.
Yes, some medical staff should have pursued careers in basket weaving or computers or engineering, but really, don't you think most of us show up day after day because we have at least a basic desire to help people?
I think it's better to assume the best of each other, instead of the worst. I guarantee you there is another patient advocate on your floor somewhere!
August 10th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Nurses are not the only patient advocates but generally they are the health care providers who spend the most time with patients. They are also the providers who have the opportunity to “see the patient’s bigger picture”–e.g. the physical, emotional, social, and financial factors that affect the lives of patients. Physical therapists, nutritionists, occupational therapists, physicians, and many others also fill the role of patient advocate. The discipline of the advocate is not important. The reality is that all health care providers should serve as advocates when the occasion arises.
August 12th, 2007 at 10:42 am
I’ll even take this one step further. Not only do we think it’s Nursing against the world, we often think we are the only nurse on the floor who gives a rip. We say the older nurses “eat their young” and the younger nurses try to push out the “seasoned nurses.” Nursing has enough crisis to deal with without turning on each other to boot. It’s hard to gain the respect of the other disciplines when we so often refuse to give each other any respect.
August 16th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I believe that most nurses entered into the medical field because they had a internal desire to serve the popluation. Additionally, nurses are generally very independent and capable individuals. We learn this autonomy through one situation or another, as we’re at times the “first responders” in crises. These are two wonder characterists, but when not balanced, they can lead to disasters. We begin to subconciously believe that we care the most about a patient, and that we’re the one who can most adequately care for that patient. This false illusion that we create in our minds tends to push our co-workers away. More importantly, if we continually over-extend ourselves there is the potential for deterioration of patient care.