The new nurse

Not a whole lot of them here in Mindsay.. unfortunately.

In the past, being a nurse meant sticking around the patients and helping them out in the best way possible. Nurses were known to be doctors’ maids, and until today, nurses struggle to be seen as independent caretakers.

Now, the nurse knows anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, epidemiology, psychology, sociology, ethics.. the nurse is now a scientist with a smile and a helping hand. Along this struggle, it has been necessary to define and assign new roles. Deontological codes have been created and the nurse is now a fully independent caretaker.

And since now we have so many responsibilities, we don’t have time to make beds and give baths. That’s the medical assistants’ responsibility. In the hospital, the nurse is getting farther and farther from the patient. Tasks that require TLC (tender loving care) are being delegated to other professionals, and the nurse’s job is now reduced to technical procedures.

Hospital administrations are becoming extremely bureaucratic and the nurse spends almost half of its shift reading and filling papers, most of them, quite redundant.

The nurse, who has the required academic background to handle people with respect, is filling papers, while the medical assistant who is not a licensed professional is taking care of the patients.. Is this acceptable? Hahah!..

So why is the nurse supposed to be constantly learning and self-updating? What for?!