On my other blog, Die Krankenschwester, I explore issues of gender, role, and identity through nursing imagery. J Doe at Those Emergency Blues wrote an excellent post this morning about titles and power. Her post runs corollary to the idea of color used as a label of identity in my series of paintings From Cradle to Grave: The Color White. In The Color White series, I question the links between the color white, femininity, purity, and nursing.
In her book Color, author Victoria Finlay (2002 Ballantine Books) discusses the historical association of the color purple with royalty. If some physicians insist they are the only ones who may use the title Doctor in the medical setting, then perhaps they should be required to wear the color purple in hospitals, which was traditionally only allowed to royalty in ancient times. That way, patients will know at a glance who their doctor is, because name badges and an introduction may not be enough.
I’m just sayin…
JParadisi (Retired) RN Blog 
I looked to see what I was wearing-Black Scrubs today- my Johnny Cash outfit as my partner calls it.
whew-glad it wasn’t purple-just sayin…
I listen when called hey doc, hey you, cuse me, in addition to other salutations.
I used to be called “the young doc” and “the tall-skinny doc” but alas, no longer (still tall……)
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Be sure to notice I said SOME physicians. For the most part, my relationships with physicians are collaborative, and the work we accomplish for the betterment of our patients’ lives is the reason I stay in nursing. BTW that Johnny Cash thing you got going is cool.
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