In the news today (cbc.ca)StatsCan released a report from a 2005 study that revealed about 1/3 of nurses reporting physical and/or mental abuse. I'm surprised that the numbers are so low. If they interviewed every single nurse in Canada I am certain those numbers would rise dramatically.
What I find really interesting are the comments people are leaving. Some believe it, others say we should stop whining. What it all boils down to is that the profession has done a very poor job in educating the public, and governments, as to what the nursing profession truly does "on the job". I am in the midst of updating my book, "Nursing: A Wicked Profession" and this story only reaffirms my position on the difficulties involved caring for others. It also reaffirms my opinions on how poorly our professional organizations speak about nursing to others. This years nursing week theme (here in Canada) is "Nursing, You Can't Live Without It". I wonder if the powers that be truly understand those words.
