Nursing should be re-named?

[SunshinePie]

Was pondering over this recently, is calling “nursing” is a bit old fashioned? You now need a degree to be a nurse, and they often are pretty much doing junior doctor jobs. Calling it something else that recognises it’s academic demands, and also more inclusive to males wanting to work in the field…something like Healthcare Medic / Healthcare Practitioner/ Assistant Medic…. Or similar, you get the idea….

-YABU, it should be kept “nurse”, it’s traditional and has roots in “nursing an infant” ie breastfeeding (that reflects the caring nature)

-YANBU it’s old fashioned, insulting to people with degrees and esp males.

As a patient this thread is pretty depressing. I know this is an anonymous online forum but the bickering about who has most knowledge or specialism is sad.

As a patient I’ve had wonderful and shocking treatment from all kinds of health professionals. Both nurses and doctors have provided specialist care. Nurses in high dependency were amazing.

OTOH Family members who are doctors have been given more information from my doctors than when I ask the same questions, like it’s a club even though it’s my body

As an about 16 year old, first time on adult ward. I sat in a chair hearing nurses at the station chatting for about 30 minutes about how doctor’s child had special privileges and cubicles. I was so upset and as soon the doctor came I asked to be moved. I was in a cubicle because I’d be there a few days, nothing to do with my parents.

The latter part of the thread also feels like it denigrates basic care. Maybe that is what health care assistants rather than nurses do now such as bathing, turning, feeding, bringing tea. It’s the stuff that makes me feel human when I have a drip and pain or feel lonely.

Nurses aren't known for being the cream of the crop intellectually, and consequently it seems to attract a fair few characters who are insecure about their own role. I've lost count of the times I've been belittled and barked at by nurses, however I've never had that from any of the AHPs or Doctors I've worked with, who have always been unfailingly respectful and appreciative. It speaks volumes. The nurse upthread arguing the toss about how certain nurses are more senior/knowledgeable than Doctors . . 🙄They don't need a different title, many of them need an attitude adjustment.

@lameasahorse some nurses do prescribe and absolutely are aware of
contra indications for prescribing.
too many assumptions on this thread, there are so many different roles and specialities and different levels of autonomy. There’s not normally nonsense like this thread in trusts - simply not time or desire to squabble, people generally work together in my experience.

No the buck doesn’t stop with you.

Of course you are supposed to question prescriptions that are clearly incorrect, any skilled team member is required to do that, in any work situation, from building sites to cruise ships.

But treatment plans are decided and signed off by the consultant team. They consult nurses and other medical professionals. But the buck stops with them. It’s crazy you are questioning this BTW, it’s established protocol.

@Junepassing wow such a nasty post.

@lameasahorse

You asked a question. I answered. Honestly.

I'm not overstating my experience.

Nurse prescibers exist. ANP prescribe, run their own clinics and perform minor surgeries

Its fairly insulting to suggest that even 'ward nurses' wouldn't know what tests were required or what prognosis a diagnosis would give.

I routinely pick up px errors and omissions. Thats my job.

I'm quite disappointed but not surprised by the reluctance to accept the huge skill and knowledge nursing involves.

Is it sexism? Classism? Maybe both.

When I was a Nurse, ( a long time ago! ) we were taught that it was better to be a first class Nurse rather that a second rate Doctor.

@Luredbyapomegranate

Maybe you should look up the NMC code of conduct?

I dont remember the charge nurse in the Vale of leven enquiry being able to pass the buck to the consultants

Your incorrect there, nurses can do further 2.5 years msc to become advanced clinical practitioners (as can paramedics and other hcps). The course focuses on diagnosing, treatment plans and full prescribing. They can then work in GP surgery’s seeing the same pts as doctors, or on the wards.

unfortunately the roles changed to sustain the needs of the NHS you can get 2 ACPs for the price of one GP just the general public haven’t been kept updated!

@PomRuns

Yeah mine too

Thank goodness.

Couldn't cope with working with doctors who want hero worship

I hope the doctor does know things like that about your relatives to continued holistic treatment of them! Pretty useless if they don’t know if they’ve needed pain relief top ups, or if bladder and bowels are working as they should be.

@lameasahorse

I dont have a chip on my shoulder

I dont understand why you think a nurse who is responsible for caring for your relative wouldn't be capable of answering those questions

They seem pretty basic and easy to answer to me

Dealing with relatives and their expectations absolutely is a skill. One which (much like smears and injections) nurses are far more capable of due to repeated exposure.

I've had to stay with patients and relatives countless times and go over what the doctor has said because they didn't understand. Because the doctor used jargon and skirted round or rushed

Youre experience doesn't match mine but that doesn't make mine invalid

@lameasahorse

Thats a shame

I've seen lots of shit treatment from doctors too.

I've only been on mn a few weeks and have seen multiple threads from people complaining about awful treatment from doctors

I always think its a shame (but understandable) when people remember the poor care and rarely the excellent care

I'm beginning to see how lucky I am to work where I do, with the team I do.

Excellent care as standard and certainly no bullying of any staff

@lameasahorse

Interesting bias

Whats your health care background?

Nothing against the name nurse at all. I think nurses do an amazing job under incredibly hard circumstances as do doctors and others hcps.

What I did notice when in hospital a lot with dd when she was small, was that nurses seemed to be doing almost exclusively medical jobs - administering medicine, taking obs etc. The purely “caring” side of nursing seemed to have gone completely as there was no time for it. Don’t know where I’m going with this but it does seem like the role has changed.

God this is a depressing thread. I’m a Registered Nurse and I was very academic at school. Due to life circumstances and events out of my control I only returned to university to retrain later in life so I picked something practical with a relatively short study time. I didn’t realise so many people just assumed I was thick.

I am grateful that most of the doctors I have worked with have been respectful and really valued our role.