Allnurses needs nurses

audreysmagic, RN · Apr 22, 2017

I can't contribute right now, even though I'm a working RN, because I'd only complain! I love and hate my job at the same time, though I'm grateful to have it--it is a great position, but my rose colored lenses have come off!!

This sums up my exact situation right now...love the work I do, but short staffing and high acuity wear the best of us down...

allnurses Guide · Apr 22, 2017

Nope - just dodged over to the blue side to continue my wicked ways.

That's so true! :yes:

I look at both sides every day and I cannot stand to use a smart phone. I prefer my laptop. I'm an old fogey in many ways. :bookworm:

The first thing I do is check my bookmarks (threads that I've posted in and are active). Then I check the What's New on each side.

Yes, there have been a lot of student threads so thanks TN for clearing that up.

I do appreciate the school nurse forum even though I retired as a school nurse 1.5 years ago. Very supportive and funny as heck. :up:

I veer into and out of politics . . . as heron can tell you. :bag:

The thread that people are mentioning regarding what did you learn this is still going. This is the last one I found:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/wiltw-4-9-1098698.html

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 22, 2017

I love the school nurses forum too. I've never been a school nurse but I find the content to be informative, interesting and fun. Definitely one of the best!

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 23, 2017

I've been a member here since 2012, when I first decided to change careers in my 40s and go back to school. At the time, I didn't know much about nursing. I had my heart set on being a PA and nursing (to me, at that particular time) was just a stepping stone to get excellent hands-on patient experience required for PA school.

After getting my ADN in 2015, I learned more and more about becoming an NP, rather than PA. Being a nurse was no longer just a stepping stone for me. I really do love being a nurse and I feel we bring a value to patient care that is immeasurable.

I've been on AN as a pre-nursing student, a nursing student, a student about to take NCLEX, a nurse who just passed NCLEX, a brand new nurse in a residency program, a new neuro step down nurse, a new respiratory progressive care nurse and, now, a new ICU nurse. I finished my BSN while working as an RN and I had AN throughout my entire journey.

To me, AN has been a wonderful resource and I've learned so much from the experienced nurses who take the time to thoughtfully answer newbie questions. As mentioned above, we may see the same questions over & over again, but to the person asking them, it's the first time in their shoes. Since my goal was always to be a mid-level provider, I'm now embarking on completing my FNP. By the time I'm done, I'll have nearly 5 years as an RN under my belt. I've always subscribed to the notion that if people take the time to help you, you return the favor and pay it forward.

I've always strived to be helpful to other posters. If there's a question I can answer, or point a student in the right direction on a med math question, I'm happy to do it. I hope it's never come across as being pompous or over-stepping :eek:

This site has been my constant throughout a HUGE change in my life.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Apr 23, 2017

I agree with everyone. I am kind of tired of the "everyone is mean" "how do I know I passed my boards" "I hate night shift " "Is nursing for me" etc threads. Kids, get iver it, this is the real world, you have to adapt to it, it doesn't adapt to you. Ugh.

I loved the NICU forum and now all we get is "How I get in NICU it's my dream job"

You apply like anyone else, and taking classes before really doesn't help since you don't have a background to use them.

twss2323 · Apr 23, 2017

I just want to chime in that I also think the app deterred a lot of people. I used to get on to AN daily, I was more of a lurker, but would contribute to conversations. Once the app went away, I did too. It's too hard to navigate on a smartphone. I hate that it doesn't keep my spot in the thread, I can't just scroll through "What's New" and it's just not as user friendly. I would love to see the revival of the app!

I do like the idea of people trying to revive the specialty forums. There's so much potential for learning, and fun topics... Just not enough traffic. Currently racking my brain for topics.

audreysmagic, RN · Apr 23, 2017

I had my heart set on being a PA and nursing (to me, at that particular time) was just a stepping stone to get excellent hands-on patient experience required for PA school.
After getting my ADN in 2015, I learned more and more about becoming an NP, rather than PA. Being a nurse was no longer just a stepping stone for me. I really do love being a nurse and I feel we bring a value to patient care that is immeasurable.

I had a similar experience - I was planning to go to nursing school so I could work as a RN while going to med school; I wanted to be an emergency pediatrician. Once in nursing school, I realized I could do so much more as a nurse, and that doctors didn't spend nearly the time with the patients I'd thought they did. I was an EMT through nursing school, and decided to stay a nurse and go into pediatrics...and then I fell in love with psych, so now I do a bit of both. I had a bit of pushback from my family at first when I told them I had no desire to go to med school anymore, but once they realized it was because I loved nursing and not because I was trying to "settle," they were supportive (especially since my mom's a nurse). Finally got the kick in the pants to go back to school, and while I might go for the NP track down the line, but now I've discovered a whole new passion in nursing education, so that's what my MSN is going to be focused on...

I found AN by chance in 2012, when I had a LOT going on in my life/career...I spent a lot of time lurking, but the school nurse forums drew me in because FINALLY a place where people got what I was dealing with! I'm now back in the hospital, but I still stay hanging out there most of the time because they're a cool group. And since I've gone back to school, AN has been even MORE valuable to me. My current position is mega-stressful at times and now that I'm balancing it and class, I need my nursing crew here more than I ever did!

Columnist · Apr 23, 2017

I've been a member here since 2012, when I first decided to change careers in my 40s and go back to school. At the time, I didn't know much about nursing. I had my heart set on being a PA and nursing (to me, at that particular time) was just a stepping stone to get excellent hands-on patient experience required for PA school.
After getting my ADN in 2015, I learned more and more about becoming an NP, rather than PA. Being a nurse was no longer just a stepping stone for me. I really do love being a nurse and I feel we bring a value to patient care that is immeasurable.
I've been on AN as a pre-nursing student, a nursing student, a student about to take NCLEX, a nurse who just passed NCLEX, a brand new nurse in a residency program, a new neuro step down nurse, a new respiratory progressive care nurse and, now, a new ICU nurse. I finished my BSN while working as an RN and I had AN throughout my entire journey.
To me, AN has been a wonderful resource and I've learned so much from the experienced nurses who take the time to thoughtfully answer newbie questions. As mentioned above, we may see the same questions over & over again, but to the person asking them, it's the first time in their shoes. Since my goal was always to be a mid-level provider, I'm now embarking on completing my FNP. By the time I'm done, I'll have nearly 5 years as an RN under my belt. I've always subscribed to the notion that if people take the time to help you, you return the favor and pay it forward.
I've always strived to be helpful to other posters. If there's a question I can answer, or point a student in the right direction on a med math question, I'm happy to do it. I hope it's never come across as being pompous or over-stepping
This site has been my constant throughout a HUGE change in my life.

I can't LIKE this one enough. Thanks for your comments. This exemplifies the mission that has been in place since the creation of allnurses.

Kitiger, RN · Apr 23, 2017

The thread that people are mentioning regarding what did you learn this is still going. This is the last one I found:
https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/wiltw-4-9-1098698.html

Thank you. I love this thread, but haven't been able to find it lately.

Where did you find it?

I don't want to have to write out a whole article each time in order to contribute; this thread allows people to simply post a reply.

caliotter3 · Apr 23, 2017

Thank you. I love this thread, but haven't been able to find it lately.
Where did you find it?
I don't want to have to write out a whole article each time in order to contribute; this thread allows people to simply post a reply.

The OP (Ixchel) was creating a new thread each week. I guess she got too busy to continue with the project.

allnurses Guide · Apr 23, 2017

Thank you. I love this thread, but haven't been able to find it lately.
Where did you find it?
I don't want to have to write out a whole article each time in order to contribute; this thread allows people to simply post a reply.

I knew that LadyFree28 has been writing it lately and so went to her profile and looked at the threads she's started.

Tenebrae, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2017

Truthfully I use firefox and for the last couple of months the display has been really wierd so I have to use chrome want to access all nurses and to be honest its a PITA