Do you know your value as a professional registered nurse? Oftentimes, nurses’ contribution to healthcare is minimized based on how the media portrays the nursing profession. Television network with healthcare themes such as ER, Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs, and House stereotype nurses as physician’s handmaiden with labor skills instead of collaborative care providers that possess critical thinking skills. The Center for Nursing Advocacy recommends multi-step strategies to improve the image of nurses including speaking to the media through letter-writing campaigns. Mainstream nursing organizations such as the American Nurses Association and National League for Nursing have advocacy campaigns promoting the professional image of nurses and the nursing profession. In addition these organizations address issues that impact nursing practice, education, and, research.
In comparison to what the media portrays, the general public has rated nurses as top of the list in honesty and ethics. According to the Gallup’s annual survey on honesty and ethics poll, nurses’ have consistently top the list compared to other occupations with an average of 81% since 1999. (http://www.gallup.com/poll/103123/Lobbyists-Debut-Bottom-Honesty-Ethics-List.aspx)
When a patient or family member has a healthcare experience, they would often mention almost everyone involved with their healthcare specially those individuals who helped them during difficult times of recovery or in their moments of loss. Will that story include you? Does the public really understand what nurses do? Now is the time to be proactive.
Market yourself and utilize the power on the Internet by creating your personal web presence. Widen your network beyond your workplace and reach out to other professionals, fellow alumni, potential employers, and the general public.
Start now.
