5 Nursing Myths That Have Nothing To Do With Quality Care

Updated on February 9, 2021

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Nursing is a widely respected profession that accompanies excellent prestige. Nurses work in many healthcare settings, all of which demand long hours, multitasking, and stressful life-and-death situations. Despite their commitment and significance in a healthcare organization, nurses frequently get less appreciation for the sheer amount of hard work they put into their job.

Many people assume that they hail from a lower-tier of healthcare professionals, while physicians, surgeons, and neurologists populate the top-tiers. Now, here’s a myth that not only defiles the sanctity of nurse-hood but also discourages aspiring professionals.

Nurses are healthcare leaders in their own right. They are highly skilled professionals with ample opportunities for career and academic advancement. Keep reading as we bust some more myths about nursing that have nothing to do with patient care. 

Myth #1: Nursing is easy; all you have to do is clean up and follow orders. 

Many assume that nursing is a low-skill career path that anyone can embark upon successfully. Well, that’s obviously wrong!

As it happens, this profession demands a formidable skill set and the ability to work under extreme pressure. Aspirants must meet the grading requirements to qualify for a nursing degree, which requires academic excellence and hard work. 

Nursing students must have a solid grasp of behavioral science, medical concepts, nursing sciences, and other health sciences. They receive extensive training from multiple professionals to excel in their roles. Nurses pursue advanced training and specializations in various fields, such as pediatrics, general health, or even family care.  So yea, becoming a nurse isn’t “easy” at all.

Myth #2: Nurses have limited prospects; they’re destined to do the same job forever! 

We just mentioned three of the many specializations nurses can opt for above. And that’s not even the end of the list!

Nursing is one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions with an abundance of opportunities. But like pretty much everything in life, there’s a catch when it comes to exploring nursing opportunities. You see, opportunities only come to those nursing professionals who prioritize advanced training and degrees. 

A doctorate carves out a path towards leadership roles, innovation, research, and prestigious teaching positions. A doctor of nursing practice enjoys great prestige and respect amongst peers with higher marketability in the job market. The healthcare community is abuzz with the dnp vs. md debate, but both are leaders in their specific fields. 

Nurses can climb up the ranks and explore managerial positions and leadership roles as well. They can specialize in different patient care and healthcare settings or work in both clinical and non-clinical roles. 

Nurses can devote their careers to research and innovate practices for nursing students and future generations. They can also acquire licensure and venture into patient counseling and advocacy. The potential is immense, and with a doctorate, nurses can also work with global organizations and make groundbreaking contributions. 

Do you still want more options, are you convinced?

Myth #3: Nurses are beautiful young women with neatly coiffured hairdos. 

Seriously, how much of Grey’s Anatomy have you been watching?

While we all enjoy theatrical depictions of nurses taking care of wounded soldiers from the frontlines, the reality is much different. Contrary to what most people assume, even in 2021, nursing is not a woman’s job. Much like any other job globally, gender is not a defining factor because nursing is a calling. 

Alright, fine; initially, women dominated the field and iconic figures, like Florence Nightingale and many others. But as this profession evolved, it attracted men to fulfill their desire to serve humanity with compassion. This compassion, commitment, and ability to nurture selflessly is not inherent and exclusive only to women. 

Compassion is universal, and men also choose nursing as a career to serve their community and help others. In fact, male nurses are increasing across multiple healthcare settings, with more men joining the profession. 

Myth #4: Nurses struggle to get hired. 

On the contrary, the healthcare industry is almost always in need of highly trained nurses because people don’t stop falling sick!

Statistics reveal that in the US alone, over 400,000 nursing positions are likely to open up by 2024. Nurses enjoy higher job stability and security, as recessions and economic slowdowns do not influence their profession. Their expertise is always in-demand. The higher their experience, the greater their marketability.

Hospitals that are unstaffed experience mismanagement and, therefore, deliver inadequate patient care. Nurses are the backbone of a healthcare facility, as they are directly involved with patients and assist senior healthcare professionals. So, there is an abundance of jobs for nurses, and they rarely have trouble finding work.

Myth #5: Nurses have to clean up bodily fluids all day. 

That may be a part of the job, but not the ONLY part of the job!

People who assume nurses are always cleaning up after patients clearly have little knowledge about healthcare settings! Nurses have a diverse array of responsibilities, and they do a lot more than cleaning wounds and changing bandages.

Nurses assist surgeons with everything from sophisticated and complex surgeries to childbirth. They administer medications, conduct physical exams, take vitals and work closely with doctors to ensure quality care. Nurses play a dynamic role in treating patients and reducing failure to rescue rates in a hospital.

Yeah, sure, they clean the bed-pan once in a while – when the ‘cleaning staff’ isn’t around!

Conclusion

We must reiterate that nurses are frontline workers who form the backbone of a healthcare facility. They connect patients with doctors and are directly involved in administering and evaluating treatment outcomes. Nurses spend more time with patients than the doctor and are always around to alleviate their pain. Their significance and commitment are hard to deny, for their compassion and care are instrumental in quality care.

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