Stop Acting Oppressed

Abstract

I all too frequently hear nurse practitioners (NPs) complain about the medical establishment's effort to control the health care system, limit the scope of NP practice, etc. While it is clear that organized medicine has considerably more money and political clout than nursing, we have the numbers. But we rarely use our numerical power to make change. I would hope that advance practice nurses, with our education and experience, would understand this power, but more often, I see the ineffective “oppressed” attitude.Considerable research has been published on the attributes of the oppressed. Four key attributes are decreased self-esteem, feelings of self-hatred that lead to horizontal violence, lack of unity and an inability to organize, and passive-aggressive behavior. Did you see nursing in these attributes?I have a colleague who is a very intelligent and effective NP. Her patients love her. This same, effective NP treats nurses horribly and students worse, and sees no value in belonging to an organization. She is also the first to complain when regulations limit her practice. I have seen similar behavior in other NPs disappear when they became active in an organization that valued them, gave them tools to make change, and provided support for their cause.If you are seeing or feeling any of the attributes of the oppressed, it is time to take action. National NP organizations have demonstrated an historical level of cooperation over the past year. We are sensing a potential unity not seen before. Join and become active in any national NP organization (I highly recommend ACNP or one of its national affiliates) and feel the liberation of unified power. It is time to stop acting oppressed. I all too frequently hear nurse practitioners (NPs) complain about the medical establishment's effort to control the health care system, limit the scope of NP practice, etc. While it is clear that organized medicine has considerably more money and political clout than nursing, we have the numbers. But we rarely use our numerical power to make change. I would hope that advance practice nurses, with our education and experience, would understand this power, but more often, I see the ineffective “oppressed” attitude. Considerable research has been published on the attributes of the oppressed. Four key attributes are decreased self-esteem, feelings of self-hatred that lead to horizontal violence, lack of unity and an inability to organize, and passive-aggressive behavior. Did you see nursing in these attributes? I have a colleague who is a very intelligent and effective NP. Her patients love her. This same, effective NP treats nurses horribly and students worse, and sees no value in belonging to an organization. She is also the first to complain when regulations limit her practice. I have seen similar behavior in other NPs disappear when they became active in an organization that valued them, gave them tools to make change, and provided support for their cause. If you are seeing or feeling any of the attributes of the oppressed, it is time to take action. National NP organizations have demonstrated an historical level of cooperation over the past year. We are sensing a potential unity not seen before. Join and become active in any national NP organization (I highly recommend ACNP or one of its national affiliates) and feel the liberation of unified power. It is time to stop acting oppressed.