The profession of nursing, people on social media and big business have rallied around Miss America contestant Kelley Johnson’s decision to give a monologue about being a nurse for her 2 minute talent segment. In the presentation, she gave a gut-wrenching insight about what it’s like to be a nurse, and shared the story of a patient she had cared for who had Alzheimer’s disease.

Here is the video:

Miss Colorado Kelley Johnson came under fire with some scathing comments from hosts on American talk show The View. “She came out in a nurse’s uniform and basically read her emails out loud and shockingly did not win,” said The View co-host Michelle Collins. “I was like, that’s not a real talent.”

The View co-host Joh Behar also said “Why does she have a doctor’s stethoscope on?”

Although The View were quick to respond after they came under fire for their comments, it seemed to be a case of “too little too late” with comments relating to their apology being almost as offensive as their original comments, and “It is clear these women lack any remorse for their remarks towards nurses or towards Miss Colorado.”

Johnson & Johnson announced that they will be pausing their advertising on The View, citing that they are committed to raising the level of awareness about the skill and knowledge the profession of nursing requires:

Closer to home, registered nurse and researcher Dr Rhonda Wilson well and truly got on board with the #NursesShareYourStethoscopes movement posting multiple pictures on social media:

Big #dinosaur helping out with #NursesShareYourStethoscopes in #Ballandean #qld pic.twitter.com/OZitqwUdHO

— Dr Rhonda Wilson RN (@RhondaWilsonMHN) September 19, 2015

#Australian #nursesunite #NursesShareYourStethoscopes #nohealthwithoutmentalhealth pic.twitter.com/qViNhVkezg — Dr Rhonda Wilson RN (@RhondaWilsonMHN) September 18, 2015

Saluting an #aussie nursing legend #sisterkenny#NursesShareYourStethoscopes. A bridge named in her honour #toowoombapic.twitter.com/8LbLWTHKRS

— Dr Rhonda Wilson RN (@RhondaWilsonMHN) September 19, 2015

Click here to see what people on Twitter have been posting under the #notjustanurse hashtag. There are some rippers in there!!

I hope the media will be more respectful of health professionals such as nurses in the future!

Amanda Griffiths – founder MHC.  :-)

More articles on My Health Career:

• Caring for yourself while caring for others – by RN Sue Rittmeyer
• Nursing graduate programs – should we be calling on aged care facilities, community nursing organisations and general practice to offer more positions?

Image: Adrianne Behning Photography – flickr