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Nursing Misunderstood

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Submitted By sthrush20
Words 1976
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This paper addresses the lack of nursing opinion available in news media and public opinion, how it affects our profession and how we can change this perception. The general public is ignorant of the role nursing plays in healthcare and has misunderstood important aspects of the profession and how our contribution can be beneficial in many ways if we have a stronger voice. The perceptions and opinions are summarized from the third edition of the book, From Silence to Voice, and provide the resources for nurses to consider in getting their voice heard. The authors of this book describe the history of how nursing has allowed the profession to be overlooked and prevented our profession to be understood by allowing others to speak for us, and over us (Buresh & Gordon, 2013). Opportunities to overcome this perception will be discussed in detail and two supporting articles that address public opinion of nurses and how it relates to our status will be summarized to give opposing perspectives. The conclusion is an example of a letter to legislators that can help to have our voice heard in a persuasive manner addressing the effect technology has on the nursing profession. I urge you to consider issues in nursing that you are passionate about and get your voice heard.

Nursing is a misunderstood profession. If you were to randomly ask anyone in the public what a nurse does you would likely get answers that deal with either, carrying out physicians orders, or dealing with emotional aspects of care, like comforting and consoling. In the book, From Silence to Voice, it is reported that nurses are still largely seen as physicians “handmaidens” (Buresh & Gordon, 2013, p. 15). The book outlines a number of reasons for this, and ways nurses can overcome and use our voice to change the perception of nurses around the world. We, as nurses, operate in a culture of

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