Your BEST AN memory- in honor of Brian

NanikRN · Sep 11, 2015

Last year- when I posted in defense of our hospital in Dallas ( yes, THAT one :) ).

I received a lovely message from one of the guides expressing AllNurses thanks and support for the Presby nurses. It was very personal and warm

This was during the time when support for Presby was low-- it meant everything to meâ¤ï¸â¤ï¸

ixchel · Sep 11, 2015

I shared some deep feelings about the beginning of my first year of nursing. I felt pretty vulnerable putting it out there. I didn't expect much to come of it - I really wrote it more to just let go of the feelings I couldn't shake. It was warmly received, tnbutterfly made it an article, and those who read it offered the most genuine support. It made me realize I was going to get through it.

allnurses Guide · Sep 11, 2015

Because of Brian and AN, I've met, in person, more than once, two AN members.

I've also become internet friends with many others.

My best memory .........that's hard to pin down. I think I'll choose the phone call I got from jnette after deciding to make my Dad a DNR and watching him die after a heart attack that left him without 02 for way too long. She was worried about me as I hadn't been on AN for a few days and the phone rang as my brother and other family members were at Dad's apartment going through old photos. She made a thread for me and I have it in my bookmarks to this day with AN members sending me good wishes regarding my dad's death.

I also kept a nice note from sirI.

The threads that generate fun and laughter are probably my favorite. The fact that we can tease each other without getting our knickers in a twist is a great gift. :up:

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Sep 11, 2015

Offline I've met about 50 AN members over the years, with 2 West Coast members now pen pals. I've gotten to travel across the US from Boston to Reno, staffing the AN booth at AACN's National Teaching Institute yearly-- meeting now hundreds of members since 2010.

I'm the official allnurses pen distributor ~ 2000/year dispensed in PA/NJ/DE area yearly--along with stuffing thousands pens in baggies to give away at conventions--15 cases in 2014. Any nursing educator contacting Brian or visiting the AN booth was sent pens, AN notepads and any gifts he was giving away for students. He's generosity was amazing!

The ability to share my passion about the nursing profession at AN: priceless.

Jules A, MSN · Sep 11, 2015

Brian sent me a very nice pm years ago. It was such a pleasant surprise that the owner of a large message board would personally pm a member. I wish I had saved it. I still have some PMs from Daytonite but this one is gone. I have thoroughly enjoyed my years here and Brian's presence will be missed.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Sep 11, 2015

Absolutely horrified and heartbroken to wake up to this news this morning. I am still reeling with shock. I have been a member of AN for many, many years. (2002) Allnurses was a godsend when I first began my nursing studies. I was completely new to computers in general at that time, and through the AN website, learned so, so much.. not just about nursing, but computers and message board etiquette. Made more friends here than I could ever count. Have remained friends with these over the span of nearly 12 years. I, too, was once a moderator here, as well as a guide for a short time.

Brian was a joy to all who knew him and were privileged to communicate with him. He was personable, and he viewed us as 'family'. He allowed us inside his life and we did the same with him.

I will always remember his unsolicited generosity when my little grandson Gavin was first diagnosed with Autism four years ago. Within days of that diagnosis, to my great surprise, a package arrived at my doorstep from Brian. It was an iPad for Gavin. He still has it and treasures it to this day.

I will be forever gratefulâ€¦I am devastated and my heart is beyond broken today. For all the family. And for all of us. You and yours will be so sorely missed. Your smile, your laughter, your generosity, your family photos, your drones and lake fun photos, your dreams and adventures.

RIP dear friend. You were a friend indeed.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 11, 2015

I don't know that I can narrow it down to just one single memory. I've been on AN for almost 10 years, and a lot of good memories have come from that- writing my first articles, commiserating with others over the stressful parts of the job, getting and giving advice and support, and having fun in some of the more tongue in cheek threads.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Sep 11, 2015

I've been lurking around these parts for a long time - Over the years - i've had the pleasure of PM-ing with Brian on a few occasions - that was pretty awesome that someone that would be that busy would take a moment to say "Hi Flare". Probably the best thing, for me, has been the nurses that i've become entwined with in my little corner of AN in the school nurse section of the site. Every subspecialty of nursing has its own quirks - and we're certainly no exception to that rule. The bonus for us it that working alone - Brian gave us a way to all work together. We all seem to check in several times a day - it's a nice way to feel like you're not so alone.

weirdscience · Sep 11, 2015

Thanks for starting this thread, MMJ.

Debilpn23 · Sep 11, 2015

I don't post a lot on AN but read the posts all the time. I feel like we re all family. I remember when I joined in 2007 Brian sent a private message to welcome me . This is where I found out that The College Network was a publishing company. A little too late Lol .

WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN · Sep 11, 2015

Dang. I cleaned out my PMs yesterday and think I still had his until then. Oh well. It was humbling to have him reach out.