Nursing Voices

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Lois Lane, Super Nurse

Statistics show that an increasing number of individuals are leaving established careers to join the nursing profession. I thought this was a new trend, but after doing some research, I've learned some interesting facts. Some people change careers because they want a more challenging job, while others look for work that is more rewarding. However, there was one individual who changed careers because the Man of Steel couldn't get his act together. That's why Lois Lane, girl reporter, left journalism and became a nurse.




Lois tinkered around with the idea of becoming a nurse long before making her decision to leave journalism. She started working as a health care professional at Metropolis Hospital in 1963 when DC comics published, “Superman’s Girlfriend: Lois Lane, Volunteer Nurse.” Instead of sitting by the phone waiting for Superman’s call, Lois spent her time away from the Daily Planet working as a volunteer nurse. Lois’ duties as a nurse’s aide included reading to pediatric patients, serving meals, and hanging up an autographed Superman poster in the children's ward. She also falls in love with a handsome patient and is kidnapped by criminals. And you thought your job was stressful. Of course, Superman comes to the rescue, saving Lois, and their relationship. But just a few issues later, Lois returns to Metropolis Hospital. Apparently during her brief absence from the hospital, she attended a fast-track nursing program and passed her state boards. When she returns to the hospital, she is seen passing medications and assisting surgeons in the O.R.


In 1968 Lois dumps Superman when he forgets to come to her birthday party. The super hero was out crushing cars in a junk yard, just for fun, and the party slipped his mind. Sometimes Superman could be very insensitive. After telling Superman he is a super-jerk and that their relationship is over, Lois changes her name to Lois Lorne, moves to Coral City, and starts looking for job as a nurse. When Lois arrives at Coral City Hospital to fill out an application, she is shocked to see hundreds of other nurses applying for the same job. What happened to the nursing shortage? Anyway, while waiting to fill out an application, Lois’ critical thinking skills come in handy when she helps a ten year old boy retrieve a toy that had fallen down a storm drain. The head doctor is so impressed with Lois' commitment to customer service, he hires her on the spot. During her career at the hospital, Lois worked in many departments. She administered radiation treatments, and worked as an operating room nurse, a physical therapist, a floor nurse, and as a clinic nurse. Everyone at the hospital loved Lois. She was too good to be true.






Florence Nightingale would be proud of Lois Lane, and would welcome her into the profession with open arms. Lois dumped a man, became a super nurse, and lived happily ever after.

1 Comments:

Blogger Kentucky Rain said...

I love this! My stepdaughter is a nurse in Seattle and she loves it. She was one of those who volunteered for duty in New Orleans following Katrina. She remarked about Senator Trent Lott's property being surrounded by bulldozers, construction workers, and probably God, while his neighbors could barely find water.

9:30 PM  

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