Dear Nursing Students: We Need to Talk About Homework Help

[Rose_Queen]

Dear nursing students,

There is a reason this site is called allnurses: It's for all nurses (and anyone remotely interested in nursing or its related professions). That means that your instructors just might be on this website too. That means we can recognize postings asking for help with one of the assignments we've given. Sometimes, we can even narrow it down to exactly who you are- and that isn't always going to be a good thing.

One of the very common threads we've seen from nursing students are requests for interviews. I know that students don't have insight into the exact reasons instructors assign the work they do, so here's a little insight into the purpose of these interviews:

Sometimes, it's not really about the answers. It's more about pushing you out of your comfort zone, getting you to talk to people you don't normally interact with, making connections in the nursing field, and several other purposes unrelated to what you may be asking the person you've been assigned to interview. It's amazing how much more you can learn going off on tangents when talking to someone rather that just seeking the answers to specific questions.

The key point of an interview is the interaction: a back and forth exchange of information. That is incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to do in the format of an anonymous internet message board. It also puts an undue amount of work on anyone who would be willing to respond: rather than the simple act of talking while you listen and take notes, they must take the time to type out lengthy responses. It also makes it quite easy for you to utilize copy and pasting functions, making many who decry such requests feel as though answering on this message board is essentially doing the work for you. Be considerate when asking nurses for interviews: do it in a format they prefer (in person is best, phone is a second place option, email is a distant third) and in a way that decreases their work to do you the favor. After all, they aren't getting any compensation for providing an interview.

One of the other issues with requesting interviews in this format is that you never know for sure who is answering. The person may be a nurse, the person may be someone who thinks they know all about nursing but isn't a nurse. Is that a risk you want to take? No, I'm not going to whip out my diploma and license when you come to my office to interview me, but you've got the fact that I've got an office and an ID badge that confirms that I am, indeed, a nurse.

Interviewing a nurse in person can also provide you with a better chance at finding a job after graduation. Right now, many areas are seeing a glut of new grads with not enough new grad jobs to go around. Sometimes, it's not what you know that influences whether you get that job you interviewed for (or even get the interview!) but it's who you know instead.

Now, let's move on to general questions. We instructors and knowledgable posters here at AN are willing to help out with any questions students may ask- with a caveat. You know the saying you have to give a little to get a little? Well, that works when asking questions here as well. Instead of flat out posting a question, let us know what you've already found and what specifically you are having trouble with. That makes it much easier for us to find a starting point and give you the help you need. It also makes it easier for us to guide you to the answer- that is what helps develop critical thinking, which you will need to master in the nursing workforce.

You will get out of nursing education what you put into it. Keep that in mind when you ask for help and how you ask for that help. Also use all of your resources: most instructors are willing to email back and forth, set up appointments, or even just show up unannounced during office hours- that's what they are for. Instructors can be an awesome resource when you need help- you just need to ask.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Bumping this one up because it certainly seems like there's been a sudden influx of interview requests. Students, it really is easier for someone granting you the favor of an interview to simply talk while you take notes. Talking to someone in person helps you verify that the person answering those interview questions really is a nurse. How can you be sure the anonymous person behind the keyboard is who they claim to be and have the credentials they claim to have?

[AliNajaCat]

Bumping again, since the long weekend has more people asking for homework help.

Perhaps we could all take turns in bumping it once a week for the rest of the school year?

[Joe V]

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