Many Concerned With Appearance
Dear Ann Landers: I could not help getting a bit unnerved by the letter from “R.N. in Southern Florida” commenting on the nurses who took care of her husband and how they appeared unprofessional because they were not dressed in proper white uniforms. She said when she was a nurse, things were different. They sure were!
I have been a nurse for six years, and I feel we have come a long way in terms of being treated as more than uniformed servants. We wear uniforms that allow us to do our jobs. Today’s nurses are required to know more, accomplish more and care for more patients than ever before. We are performing newer procedures all the time and taking on more duties that used to be performed strictly by doctors.
Maybe the next time “Florida” has to spend time in the hospital, she should be more concerned about how her caregivers perform and less about what they are wearing. And a simple “thank you” would be nice, too. - Mesa, Ariz.
Dear Mesa: Thanks for your comments. I received quite a few letters on this subject. Here are some more:
From Rockford, Ill.: As a proud, registered nurse, I agree with “R.N. in Southern Florida” that there is an appalling lack of professionalism in present-day hospitals. My husband had a hernia repaired, and I stayed with him. A disheveled woman wearing a plaid blouse and soiled white slacks came into the room carrying a stack of towels and a pitcher of water. She put the water down and reached to pull the covers off my husband. I asked to see some identification. She was indeed an R.N., but I’d have bet money she was the cleaning woman.
Somewhere in Wisconsin: I’m so glad someone had nerve enough to speak out regarding the dress code in hospitals these days. I had a nurse or aide (I’m not sure which) check my pulse. She had long, dark red artificial fingernails and greasy hair that fell in my face. She wore jeans and a skimpy top. I’ve seen this type of casual dress in business lobbies, local stores and at my dermatologist’s. We seem to have lost our self-respect. How sad.
Dear Ann Landers: Can you stand one more item about the Internal Revenue Service? I hope so. This article appeared in our local paper, and I roared when I read it. For anyone who needs a laugh, here it is:
“Last August, the IRS said we had to either pay up or prove that our son wasn’t just a ruse to get a tax break. We mailed the IRS copies of our son’s birth certificate, Social Security number, school records and medical records.
“Then, the threatening letters started to arrive. Every one said ‘URGENT.’ The last urgent message read as follows: ‘Immediate action is required.’
“We decided to put an end to the foolishness and took Exhibit A - our son - to the regional IRS office. A taxpayer service specialist photocopied his Social Security card, birth certificate, report card and the picture of his entire second grade. Then, the specialist instructed the main computer in the IRS’ office to stop sending us menacing letters. The specialist said I could file an appeal if the IRS holds its ground, although ‘I can’t imagine they would,’ he added.”
I don’t imagine they did, either, Ann, but I thought you might like to share this with your readers. - Philadelphia
Dear Philadelphia: Thanks for the saga. I’ve received dozens of others, but I think we’ll cool it for the time being. The IRS has been clobbered enough.