Nurses are the glue that holds the healthcare sector together. They break down complicated medical lingo into bite-size pieces diligently analyse care plans to ensure inclusive management and forever advocate for providing safe care. But despite this, almost laughable misconceptions continue to arise about nurses’ role. Let’s explore some of these myths about the nursing profession and explore the truth of the role.

Myth 1: Nurses are just doctor’s helpers

 
Ask almost any doctor and they will agree this is far from the truth. In some situations, nurses are there to physically help a doctor complete a task such as in the theatre, emergency settings, dentistry and veterinary nursing. Often doctors rely on the nurses more hands on relationship with a patient to identify potential personal or health problems or utilise their experience with treating a broad range of health conditions to identify a deteriorating patent. Most of the time, nurses are working as independent clinicians far away from medical staff. In the hospital environment, for example, most ward nurses have little interaction with their medical colleagues outside of a ward round. Though help is often available when needed, complex tasks must be completed without a doctor's guidance and through their own acquired knowledge.

Myth 2: It’s a woman’s job

There is probably a small percentage of people who still believe this to be true. Though the nursing industry is dominated by females, research suggests the tides are turning, slowly. 2021 data from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia suggest that the total general registrations for males was 11.4% compared to females 88.6% and Not Stated, Intersex or Indeterminate <0.1%. This is an upward trend from 2014 data which shows that men make up 10.49% of the registered nursing workforce in Australia. 

Though women may be traditionally seen as the caring, empathetic and thoughtful ones, these characteristics are not just limited to women. Regardless of gender a great nurse is able deliver excellent patient outcomes and work well in a team environment. Many nurses report that increased diversity in a nursing workforce can help to create a fun, dynamic and engaging shift which is just what the doctor ordered!

Myth 3: Hospitals are where all the nurses are
 

Whilst a majority of nurses are found within the hospital setting, you don’t have to look very hard to find them elsewhere. Nurses can be seen busily working in general practitioners (GP) clinics, dentists, aged care and residential facilities, rural and remote centres and even as allied health professionals, just to name a few. 

The opportunities for nursing staff are incredibly vast and NNA is proud to offer shifts across a range of these areas. Check out our job board and see which direction your nursing career could take you next. 

Myth 4: Nurses only wipe butts and do the dirty stuff

While our nurses are exceptionally efficient, respectful and tidy at doing the “dirty” work, the industry demands so much more from them. Nurses need to think critically, be diligent and organised, question orders and instructions that don’t seem right and provide education to patients and their families around the clock.

Despite what you may see in medical dramas like Gray’s Anatomy, nurses are the ones providing the bulk of the work at the patient's bedside. Giving blood, setting up an intravenous infusion, inserting a cannula and administering medications fall heavily on nursing staff. If nursing staff are having a problem with one of these clinical tasks, they will likely escalate to a senior nurse instead of a doctor, as these tasks are our bread and butter, and doctors may not have done them since they were in medical school. 

Regardless of what needs to be done, a defining feature of the health sector in Australia is that regardless of whether you are a nurse, doctor, or other health professional, all will be heavily involved in supporting a patient and sometimes that means that everyone needs to get in and do the “dirty stuff.”

There are several more myths that need debunking, so it’s important we continue to highlight the work of our nurses and if we ever hear these 4 myths, to shut them down. NNA Nursing agency are proud to offer nursing roles to a diverse range of nurses from a wide spectrum of life experience. So, if you have any friends interested in agency work, we have a new and exciting referral program. Introducing our Refer a Buddy program which gives you $300* when you refer a healthcare friend to NNA. Your friend will also be rewarded with $50 to thank them for working with NNA. If you want to learn more about NNA and working for a nursing agency, here is a bit about us and what we can offer you.