“Heralded nurses know their calling”: A Response to "He is a registered Nurse"

By Dennis Sherrod EdD, RN

Editor's Note: Sherrod's blog was written in respone to an article that appeared in the DallasNews.com on August 17.

I’d like to respond to the DallasNews.com article titled “Heralded nurse knows his calling” by stating that “Heralded nurses know their calling”. Nursing is a demanding and growing profession. The current shortage is being fueled by baby boomers reaching the ages of 65 and 85, the golden years of care services demand while at the same time our nurse workforce is rapidly moving towards retirement. We need more men and women in the nursing profession.

Currently there are approximately more than 3 million nurses in the U.S. and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has designated the Registered Nurse as the fastest growing occupation in the US. While a national economic decline has placed a “hold” on numerous nurse positions, the demand for nurses continues to grow. We will need to work together to attract both men and women alike while making sure nurses are recognized and valued for their expertise and contributions in health care.

Health care reform promises to expand demands for registered nurses as well as advanced practice nurses so we need to let young people know that nursing is a rewarding and challenging profession. As we consider recruitment into the profession we’ll need to focus on:

• The intellectual challenge and high level of knowledge nursing involves
• Variety of work at all levels
• Variety of work settings that employee nurses
• Career progression and clinical advancement models
• Wide range of career opportunities within nursing
• Nurses as autonomous practitioners
• Nursing’s goal to “help people” and “make a difference” in people’s lives.

We need to let people know that a majority of Americans are pleased if their daughter or son would like to become a registered nurse and an overwhelming majority of the public trusts information about health care provided by registered nurses.

Men in nursing do encounter stereotypes. But women in nursing encounter stereotypes as well. And other professions are also confronted with stereotypes (think attorneys). Each nurse professional must do our part to correct stereotypes and inform the public of the value nursing brings to health care.

I applaud nurse colleague Gary Springer’s commitment to his patients and to the profession of nursing. I agree with the author that we need “compassionate people” who care about people and want to make a difference in the lives of their clients and families. We do need all of those we can get!