Am I an ogre? Or is it just me?

[NurseGirlKaren]

Alright, after several months of posting here in relative peace, I am now about to have people angry with me. I can feel it coming on....

Is it just me, or are all of these "help me!!" threads really getting on people's nerves? We have so many expert, helpful people here, and I think it's wonderful that everyone is so open and willing to share. And I do think it's appropriate to answer questions as to whether or not someone should enter the nursing field.

But all of these threads where people want them to do their work for them are just really irking me lately!! When the poster wants someone to do the leg work for them, AND THEN POSTS IT IN 8 DIFFERENT FORUMS, is a bit much in my book. And don't give me this "I don't have a creative bone in my body" crap. If you're going to be a nurse, you'd better find out how to be creative, or care delivery is going to be rough. "Please give me an idea for a presentation!" "Please tell me some nursing diagnoses for my care plan." "How do you do a cardiac assessment?" (That one really got me.)

The internet is a fabulous tool (that wasn't in use much when I graduated, and no, this rant is not just because I'm bitter), and this bulletin board is a fantastic forum for sharing. But give me a break. It's great to bounce ideas off one another, but trying to get someone to just do your work for you is taking it a bit too far.

Ok, clearly I need help. This is a Dayray-length post!! Thanks for letting me vent, and I'm ready for whatever wrath may come my way.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I don't mind the "I need a few ideas" posts, I think as seasoned nurses we forget how overwhelming some of those rediculous nursing projects were, and that those of us without internet access still asked around for help and advice and suggestions.

But the "give me the answer" ones are not appropriate.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by canoehead

Although if one more person starts a men in nursing, or BsN vrs RN thread I swear I'm gonna delete it just because it pisses me off.....(piss)...is that a swear word? uh-oh.

Or how about. A "should I get my LPN or my RN first" thread. Or how about just not allowing any new people here ask any questions at all, so as not to piss you off, if you're that delicate. hehehe....

[RN2B2005]

I'm a student, and even I know to check my pharmacology references and to Google whatever I'm looking for before staggering over and posting a drug question here.

The posts that bother ME the most are the people who post the questions that are clearly fishing for grounds for litigation. People who are, for instance, "sick and pregnant". No other posts bug me so much as those ones...

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

When I was a student, I went to a school where competition was so intense, that all of the nursing students treated each other rather badly, and formed small, nasty cliques. So, while on Christmas break from school, I started a nursing student web site to meet some other students, share advice and commiserate. I did get a few message board posters who were interested in interacting with other students, but I mostly got people who wanted their homework done for them. I spent a lot of time posting recommendations and reviews of my favorite care-plan books, study resources, etc. But, some students could not be bothered to click on the links. I would get asked over and over "what's a good care-plan book?"

It got to be really time consuming and annoying looking things up for people, and saying "see the site menu to the left? Read the link titles and click on one."

I even had people asking me to post my care-plans, in printable versions!

So, I closed the message boards on my site. The site still has plenty of resources, advice, hints etc for students. But they have to click on the links themselves.

[emily_mom]

Students today don't know how to use a book. If it's not available online, it's not anywhere. I admit I use the internet for many things r/t school, but I also know how to use a textbook.

Maybe we should refer them to Textbooks: Friend or Foe 101 or It's Not Just A Paperweight 200.

Just my opinion!

Kristy

[Rena RN 2003, RN]

i don't think that anyone on this bb should ever ask another question and we should all just give group (((hugs))).

[EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN]

Back when I was in school, young whippersnapper, I had to walk twenty miles through the blistering heat/freezing snow/torrential rain, all with no shoes on my feet....

I'm a student, and trust me, I know how to pick up a book-- that's why my GPA is so good. People who just look for handouts usually don't get good grades. But I think it's great if students can bounce ideas off each other, AFTER they do some research on their own.

[Love-A-Nurse]

oh my, can you just not read and or not reply to the said thread?

i do understand, but many of threads on various boards here are redundant, or just a click away from some type of resources, or the dail/push botton on one's phone.

this is an oulet and i believe some may post on another board besides the nursing student's board, to get ideas, moral support, sites, etc. from experience nurses, or truly don't know what to type in, as many things come up when searching the web. simply because students may ask for help does not mean some have not tried for themselves first.

well, if this deters others from seeking someone to do their work for them {as implied], your point is well taken, but if it hinders someone from asking valids questions, then what?

[Stargazer]

I will try one more time to clarify.

I don't believe anyone here has a problem with offering help if the person asking demonstrates that they have attempted to some research on their own first, or at the very least, have done some critical thinking before turning here for help.

Saying, "I need to write a paper, and here are several topics I'm considering--which do you think would best suit the assignment?" is very different than saying, "I need to write a paper. Help me come up with a topic!"

Saying, "I looked up this drug, and I'm confused--the side effects and drug interactions seem contradictory" is very different from saying, "Does anybody know anything about this drug? I've never given it."

As I said, it's not just students, and it's not just on this board. It both worries and frustrates me to see how many people, particularly actual and potential nurses, in cyberspace and real-life, who do not seem to have even the most basic problem-solving or research capabilities. But show me that you at least attempted to find some answers yourself first, and I will gladly go out of my way to help you (that's the generic "you").

And I agree that it would be lovely if people could be orificed to do a search first before starting a new thread on the exact same dozen or so topics that get new threads started on them every single week like clockwork, but I'm not holding my breath waiting for that one.

[dianacs]

And I agree that it would be lovely if people could be orificed to do a search first before starting a new thread on the exact same dozen or so topics that get new threads started on them every single week like clockwork, but I'm not holding my breath waiting for that one.

I'm okay with that one...sometimes someone--new or old--puts a new spin on the same old issues. But yeah, I put a lot of work into my own school assignments; I'm not doing anyone else's in addition. Nor will I assist anyone with what to say on the nsg school application. I got burned already on that one. And the "s&p" threads--sorry if you've been wronged, go see an attorney!

[Love-A-Nurse]

stargazer, your points are well taken, i assure you, personally that is.

i could really understand the need to say, "i am tired of these post" if the posts were addressed to a particular person/s, otherwise, it seems that it is directed at any one, and it does not mean any one has to reply. can you see what i am saying.

why tear down those who seek from some one they don't know because they may be eating alive by those surrounding them for answers.

how can one get information from their book, for example, if they aren't sure of what to do?

does it mean they are stupid, no, it means one realize i want to know so i will seek to find some kind person to help.

we all have been in some type of situation that took us searching for answers only to find the answer was near us all the time.

[RNIAM, BSN, RN]

Who knows the answer to this one? I am a student and made the deans list last semester. I know how to read. I know how to write. I can look things up in books. What I can't stand is blanket statements lumping everyone in the same basket! If I have something to offer I will, if I don't; I won't. I have been told this alot when dealing with this bb, if you don't like it don't look.

Have a good one.