Nursing Roles: Why The Media's Portrayal Of Nurses

Without thinking twice, when you hear the word ‘nurse’, what comes to your mind? Perhaps a hard-working person whose goals are to enhance ones health or someone who you can trust to help benefit your needs. These positive thoughts are what nurses would like to convey through their professions. However, some people who have not experienced care from a nurse can sometimes describe nurses based on their reputations from the 1800’s as well as inaccurate TV characters. These reputations include uneducated, illiterate, rough, inconsiderate, immoral, alcoholic, and prostitution. That being said, some of this negativity comes from an inadequate amount of education, clinical experience, and research. The negative stereotypes of nursing are advertised

This book illustrates the negative feedbacks on nursing through one great example that most people wouldn’t think past, a New York Times crossword puzzle that listed “I.C.U. helpers” for the clue, and the answer was RN. This is a false interpretation of nursing roles; they are not simply just “helpers”. Nursing roles include provider of care, educator, counselor, manager, researcher, collaborator, and advocate (Black, p. 298). Hospital nurses are not hired at the profession of someone who works beneath a doctor, but rather to give their ultimate care to a patient. Their contribution to a patient is essential for enhancing one’s health. For example, if a patient were to have a sudden drop in their health, doctors would be the one to diagnose and treat. However, part of the society does not realize that nurses are the one’s who have a major contribution to this diagnoses and treatment. They are the one’s who are with the patient at all times making a profession connection and fully understanding the patient in order to give the best care

The Johnson & Johnson Company is as stated, “Employees of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world. We embrace research and science – bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people” (Johnson & Johnson 1). The goal of this company is to enhance the lives of others through professions like nursing. Nursing is held in high regard through this company. Johnson & Johnson Company serves opportunities for nurses to enhance their profession through organizations, such as how to become a nursing student, information on men in nursing, minorities interested in nursing, benefits through job opportunities, and how to work as a nurse in the U.S. (Johnson & Johnson