*MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS RELATED TO NURSING AND NURSING PROFESSION*
By: Bilyaminu Bala Yahya

There are many false beliefs carried by the public particularly in Africa as with regard Nursing and the profession. In this piece I intend to illuminate some of the commonest myths and misconceptions conceived by the public. The write up is never with the intention of showcasing Nursing as better than any profession but to distinguish it as importance as others.
1. *NURSING IS A FEMALE PROFESSION*

This is a very wrong notion conceived by many people including those that consider themselves as literate. It is untrue to think that nursing is a profession for only female gender. It is a profession for both gender. It is being estimated that male nurses will outnumber the female nurses in a near future. This has been forecasted to be as a result of the current reforms that is taking place in nursing profession. Such reforms include the introduction of degree program (BNSc), approval of internship for graduate nurses, upgrading the salary structure of Nurses etc. These recent reformations are what will continue to be attracting males into the profession.

2. *NURSES TAKE ORDERS FROM DOCTORS WITHOUT QUESTIONING*


This misconception is common among people. It has contributed immediately in downgrading the image of nursing. This misconception has prompted film producers to be featuring actors that are acting as nurses and taking orders from doctors. This misconception is not true. Both doctors and nurses are members of the healthcare team. Each has his own unique roles to play for the patients. For example, its the responsibility of the doctor to prescribe drugs for patients while the nurse's responsibility is to check the prescription, administer the drugs to the patients and monitor the patients for signs of drugs adverse/side effects. In essence, nurses do not take orders from doctors.

3. NURSES' JOB IN THE HOSPITAL IS ONLY TO GIVE INJECTION TO PATIENTS

How can somebody spent 5 years in the university taking similar courses with Medical and pharmacy students and you say he is only trained to give injection. There is no iota of truth here. Nurses have a verse responsibilities. Some of their responsibilities include serving as patients advocate, participating in making healthcare decisions, prevention of the patients from contracting diseases or infections,improving and promotion the health of the patients,carrying out healthcare researches etc. In addition, nurses have verse areas of specialization as it is in medicine. Such areas include paediatric nursing, orthopaedic nursing, perioperative or theatre nursing, public Heath nursing and many more.

4. *ALL NURSES ARE WICKED,MERCILESS AND INSENSITIVE*


This is not true. In every profession there are good and bad eggs. So nursing as a profession will not be an exception. It is an act of injustice and lack of fairness to say all nurses are wicked and insensitive. In fact majority of those who are wicked and merciless to patients are quacks. The code of ethics of nursing taught nurses to show compassion, emphaty,sympathy to all patients irrespective of their background.
5. *NURSES DO NOT DRIVE EXPENSIVE CARS*

This particular misconception used to make laugh to my nerves whenever I hear it from people. Driving an expensive car or a cheap depends on personality. Nurses salaries are very good and lucrative. It can afford them to buy any type of car they choose. So don't relate this one to nursing. It depends on individuals not profession.

6. NURSES USED TO STEAL PATIENTS PROPERTIES

Stealing patients property is a grave offense that will expulsion both from place of work and withdrawal of practicing license. Its is enshrined in the nursing code of ethics a nurse must record and keep good custody of patient's property who is going on admission and to be witness by the patients' relative or another Nurse.
By:
Bilyaminu Bala Yahya