Nurses' Cap

A long time ago, in my nursing life, many of us were looking for a change in the rules for wearing a nursing cap. There were circumstances when the cap really got in the way.  We were not against anyone wearing a cap, just wanted to not be penalized for wearing it. 

A nursing cap meant many things and every nurse worked really hard for years to earn that cap; this reality was a given. No one would contest that. The big glitch was the fact that nursing staff was expected to wear their cap and if disobeyed, were labeled "insubordinate." The mandate was black and white.

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Yes, according to the rules, many of us were "insubordinate" and against management, etc., etc. To make matters worse, Joint Commission was coming in a few weeks and wearing that cap needed to reflect the dress policy.  Joint Commission really shakes up an institution for days, weeks, and months ahead of their actual arrival, believe me!

Well,  an underground committee was formed. We heard threats if we were found out. Our jobs were on the line. We were making waves. In time we met with the nursing director. The bottom line was, "what do I do...it's in the policy to wear the cap!" Quietly I said, "change the policy." 

Why do I bring all this up?  I heard this same thing in the Breonna Taylor case last eve that according to the laws, the authorities judged the officers, with the conclusion we heard.  There are a lot of folks making waves throughout the country because of that verdict!

Why are some of the decisions in this country made the way they are?  Maybe it's time we all became critical thinkers, examined the laws and ask if it's time to change them to reflect a broader population, asking how we can bring more equitable justice into these laws. 

We now are more aware of injustices toward women, people of color, age, gender and religion; the list goes on and on!  Yes, peace is wonderful, riots and destruction hurt, but what is the much bigger issue underneath it all.  lt's about time we stopped focusing on black, brown, white, red or blue. 

Then, maybe the populations will calm down, get along and peace will reign if they know they are heard and taken seriously.  The protests are not Democrat or Republican, they are a sign that something much deeper must be dealt with. The nursing cap, dissents, protests...no one is being insubordinate! The unrest is just the tip of the ice berg. It's about time someone listens and takes action on the bigger issues!