A sold-out show in Auckland in a venue full of nurses from different hospitals and different generations — we all came together to share laughter, experiences, and real issues in health care with Nurse John on his ‘short-staffing – shifts got real’ tour.
Health care has long grappled with the challenges posed by short staffing, a problem that has been exacerbated by various factors including budget constraints, high turnover rates, and increased patient demand.
In this context, the emergence of social media influencers and public figures who address these issues through humour, such as nurse John, offers a unique view through which to examine both the impact of short staffing on health care professionals and the potential for comedy to raise awareness about systemic problems in nursing.
Nurse John’s comedic approach not only entertains but also serves as a reason for discussions surrounding nursing shortages and their implications on patient care.
Nurse John uses his platform to highlight the realities faced by nurses working in understaffed environments. His comedic sketches often portray the daily struggles of health-care workers, from managing overwhelming patient loads to navigating bureaucratic inefficiencies.
By using humour to tell our story, he effectively shows the experiences of nurses, shedding light on their dedication even under pressures or difficult circumstances. This representation is crucial because it fosters empathy among audiences who may not fully understand the pressures faced by medical professionals operating under less-than-ideal conditions. Consequently, nurse John’s work helps bridge the gap between public perception and reality in nursing practice.
Furthermore, nurse John’s influence extends beyond entertainment. It serves as an important advocacy tool within health care. By addressing the short-staffing problem through his comedic act, it serves as a wake-up call for policymakers who have neglected the role of nursing and patient safety in health-care systems.
— written by a North Shore nurse who requested they not be named.
- John Dela Cruz, aka Nurse John, is a Filipino-Canadian comedian and nurse currently touring the world. He has over 10 million followers on social media platforms TikTok and Instagram where he documents his day-to-day life as a Los Angeles nurse. His August shows in Auckland sold out.