Authors

  1. Section Editor(s): Laskowski-Jones, Linda MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CEN, FAWM, FAAN

Article Content

It's December-a nearly universal time of celebration, giving, and being grateful for the gifts we've received in our own lives. It's also the time to take account of the past year's achievements, challenges, and memorable moments, as well as define the resolutions that should carry into the next year. When I reflect upon the nursing profession as a whole in this context, one key moment rises to the top: The utterly spectacular gift of unity that was inspired by the uninformed and unjust criticism of Kelley Johnson's dramatic monologue about being a nurse, which she performed at the Miss America Pageant's talent competition.

  
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By now, most of you are well aware of the snarky comments about her "nurse's costume" and "doctor's stethoscope" made by cohost Joy Behar and panelists on The View regarding Ms. Johnson's brave decision to wear her scrubs and stethoscope for her performance. The backlash was swift and intense, not only by nurses from around the world, but also by physicians, emergency medical services personnel and other members of the interdisciplinary health team, and even corporations who pulled their advertising. The solidarity warmed my heart and made me incredibly proud that our larger community came together with such a show of support for both Ms. Johnson and the nursing profession.

 

Yes, in response to the outcry over the show, numerous efforts have been made to make amends for this colossal faux pas. But a broader question remains-and it's one we have to answer within our workplaces, our society, and ourselves: Why do certain people find it necessary to be cruel and make jabs like this in the first place? Clearly, with all of the articles in nursing literature on horizontal violence and bullying, we continue to have a big problem that must be solved. It starts with each of us and how we relate to one another.

 

The travesty that occurred on The View is well over and done now. How we go forward with our own interpersonal relationships is key. We need to celebrate each other's successes, be collaborative, and build each other up, not tear one another down. We've been given a rare gift of shared unity over injustice. Let's take that example and pay it forward as a gift we give to others now and into the future.

 

Until next time,

 

Linda Laskowski-Jones, MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CEN, FAWM, FAAN

  
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Editor-in-Chief, Nursing2015 Vice President: Emergency & Trauma Services Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington, Del.