Do you think AN posters are TOO cynical?

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OK, I've been reading some threads on here inbetween moving house (nearly finished, just having a breather).

Do you think some of us older ones (for arguments sake over 25), have become TOO CYNICAL towards people posting on here wanting help, especially the young ones? Do you think nursing for too long makes you cynical, old, bitter, crusty, hard-hearted, whatever? Why or why not?

Let the roasting begin!

I'm not a cynic.........I'm a realist!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Honestly, I don't think I'm cynical at all!

I tend to respond to each post individually. I also think that in most cases the responses that cause an OP to say "way to eat your young!" (usually after "just want your advice/opinion" :uhoh21:") could be reworded, without losing any of the content you'd be amazed at how supportive we are.

I've noticed that often it's nursing students and new grads who are the harshest to someone who comes on and talks about a mistake they made, even when 99% of the original posts state from the beginning they already knew it and very often suffered a negative consequence.

If you just had a lecture that very day on that very subject, the pile-on can get ridiculous. Young eating young? Sadly, it does happen. . .

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

Sometimes I think we're not cynical enough.

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Damned if you do and damned if you don't. :lol2:

What I have noticed on AN is that people want confirmation of their own opinions and when someone post something that goes against what they believe they feel the need to attack.

Some of the most common examples on AN: If a pre-nursing student comes to AN asking if they should become a nurse and a veteran nurse advises them to stay away from nursing or gives them a few reasons to really think about what they are signing up for that nurse is accused of being negative, jaded, and needs to put out to pasture.

Then we have the next type of poster, didn't get into the program, can't find a job after graduation, or finally got a job and hates it. They get angry too but now it's everyone else's fault for not telling them the truth.

Also, it's funny how someone can make a post about loving their job and no one will "barge in" and say you're wrong for feeling that way. However, if a nurse isn't so crazy about their job or nursing in general some folks just have to take the time out of their busy lives to berate them for daring to not feel the way they're supposed to feel. :rolleyes:

I think all you can do is relate your experiences and if people want to be mad about your truth then so be it. Nursing is a 2nd career for me so I know that no job is perfect but there are some things about being a nurse that for lack of a better term are extremely ****** up....period.

I don't think feeling that way means that my license needs to be revoked. :uhoh3: Sometimes people just need to vent and maybe get some solid advice and methods for developing some coping skills because life isn't infinite and people can't continually jump from job to job or go to school endlessly for 3rd, 4th, or 5th careers.

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Specializes in Government.

I think overall people are very kind here. I dislike the homework requests (especially if not properly labeled) but I skip them when I can identify them. I think this is a very difficult time in nursing and AN is a great place to find you are not alone, young or old.

I've only ever become motivated to act when I saw someone years ago (a registered dietician who had by all accounts a great work life) start thread after thread about wanting to be an RN. She'd change her username buit it was the same person. That cheesed me off because a lot of people had given her great, sage advice the first time but by thread #3? Hard not to say "go away".

Otherwise, I find people here very patient. And helpful.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

If being realistic is being cynical then...I guess so.

Those of us that have been around the block a few times may actually know a few more things :eek: than those who just graduated with their BSN whether or not we have a BSN ourselves. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end when nurses with experience at the bedside are discounted and discredited by the new college grads just because they went to college for four years. Their feelings of superiority is REALLY ANNOYING!!!! to those of us who are......:smokin:

They need to realize that us old broads may actually know a thing or two....:idea:

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

Too cynical ? nope...people just need to relax and take a breath, no one will die because of something posted on AN. Besides, if you don't like the posts, you can always click off.....

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Specializes in wound care.

no , how many whiny student nurse / new nurses can you deal with thinking its the end off the world any time 1 little thing happens ? some poeple deal with stress great some people act like children and need to be treated/ talked to like children , and occasionally we all have moments , thats life

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