Shame on Nursing

Following the media exposure of the patients group report on poor nursing care and some (small %) below par nurses, I felt pretty sad that nursing had come in for such a negative press. In attempting to seek out a balanced view I emailed radio4 today programme and discussed with colleagues the state of nursing..... wondering if we could defend nursing? In fact more people agreed nursing can be poor suggesting that we should be ashamed that such poor nurses are allowed to be out there!!! Many examples have been brought to my attention regarding awful care e.g. Prof Christopher Johns paper on his dying mother - a story of caring shame paints a damming picture (sage publications online) - I certainly cannot defend poor care!!! It is a shame that some people experience poor care and management in my view should take responsibility as in my mind there is a connection - cutting costs and getting things on the cheap has a big role to play here - there is shame in that too!