I'm a pregnant postpartum nurse . . .

[Rhee]

It was probably a really bad idea for me to join a pregnancy bulletin board. I don't know what I was thinking. All of the crazy misinformation that people give eachother over the internet wants to make me bang my head against the wall. Between people giving advice about high "berrirubin" levels and calling their doctors and nurses idiots because they haven't heard of some experimental drug only used in Europe that a google search has determined is the best, newest treatment for whatever condition ails you, and my pregnancy hormones, I really need to vent.

I am all about people being informed and playing an active role in their own healthcare, knowing how to do a google search or knowing how to navigate to WebMD does not replace a college education. I don't claim to know everything, but like to think that I know a little bit more than someone who got their health knowledge from the University of the Internet.

I am truly convinced that patients and families have absolutely no idea what we do. I read a post today where the person said that the 'nurse' (i.e. the person answering the phone) needs to slapped because she was rude. And nursing is a customer service profession. Uh, yeah. If I want customer service, I will go to a store or a restaurant. If I am sick or injured enough to need someone else to monitor my health needs, I will go to hospital. Where the nurses' role is to help me get better and help me understand how to maintain my own health. I try to make sure that all of my patients have a good experience, but I am not there to play waitress or servant. I am sure that the 'person answering the phone' isn't even a nurse. But, oh well.

It's just really getting my goat. All statements like, "is it the nurse's fault my doctor missed the delivery? (if your doc was there and left the hospital when you were ready to push, I would think it's his fault. Especially if he's 'been a doctor forever'.) "the stupid U/S tech told me the baby was girl and it turned out to be a boy", "don't let anyone check if you are dilated if you are GBS positive", "don't take Zofran if you are pregnant".

I don't understand why people don't ask if they don't understand something. It just seems logical to ask the doctor or the nurses while you are there in the office or hospital, instead of coming home and asking random people on the internet what they think. One lady was complaining that her cervix wasn't checked often enough and that the nurses didn't know what they were doing. Someone explained to her that since her membranes were ruptured for some time before she came to the hospital, checks are limited so that there is less opportunity to introduce bacteria, etc. Then she wanted to know why no one told her that. Why didn't you ask? I like to explain things to my patients, I think it makes it easier for everyone if patients understand why we do, or don't do, certain things.

I know that I'm rambling, and I truly thank anyone who's read this far. I feel much better now that all of that is off my chest! Thank goodness this baby is due in a few days. I think I'll just avoid the other BB. It's probably best for everyone.

[dcampbell]

You are right. You need to stay away from those boards. It will just drive you crazy.

Those people usually don't know what they are talking about so you won't be able to change their minds.

Besides, you are one of "those nurses", they won't believe you anyway.

You already have enough stress in your life, being pregnant.

I hope all goes well with you and your baby.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I try to avoid places like that for the same reasons. People who know nothing, think they know everything, and misinform the uneducated.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

OMG I feel the same way!

Congrats on your pregnancy by the way! I'm due in August with a boy!

Many are just uneducated and have no idea what nurses do, and assume anyone in any basic healthcare role is an RN. I don't mind constantly correcting them. The assistants at the eye doctors are "nurses" the home health aid is a "nurse." Etc They just assume everyone is. My HAIR girl, i told her I was going to look for a job outside of a hospital and she told me about some job she saw to assist this lady at home that needed a nurse and it paid like 10/hr....I was like...uhhhh...( in this area nurses make at least 25/hr) and had to explain to her it wasn't a nursing job even if they said they were looking for a nurse, that it was probably a home health aide, she still appeared confused at the end.

I do get some posts on the site I go on about nurses being stupid, but actually the one I belong to most of them are supportive and are like "I could not do what a nurse does." Maybe switch to mine?

Just curious what preggo forum you're on? I'm on thepregnancyforum.com For the most part though, people try not to give info there unless they know something. I unfortunately started a heated debate about circumcision, simply just wanting to know what people had done, their reasoning, and how it went either way. This one girl comes on saying "Circumcise, circumcise, it's healthier, it looks better and it's definitely cleaner. And I'm a nurse so I would know."

It wasn't just shocking the lack of evidence she presented me, but it was also how she conveyed her message. Then she spouted how they do them at her JOB all the time and that she got an A in maternal child when she graduated school last year.....(what does that have to do with anything)

So I calmly (although livid) replied that I also was a nurse and in fact Valedictorian (cumma sum laude) of my program, and that I had been unable to obtain any medical information that really viewed circumcision to be safer, there are some relatively minor benefits which could almost be offset by the sometimes complications that can occur when circumcising.

Anyway, when a nurse portrays themselves in that manner, it certainly doesn't help our cause to make us appear all-knowing and definitely for one and against the other. And I did explain that to the other nurse, who didn't appreciate it in the least.

But yeah, the mis-information out there is incredible. Ignorance is bliss for some, but definitely not those who are educated.

Hugs to you and your future baby! :hug:

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Probably babycenter boards?

I just shake my head.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I avoid places like that for many of the same reasons mentioned above. So much misinformation floating around and if you try to correct all of it you will drive yourself bonkers!!!

[LesMonsterRN, ADN, RN]

This sort of thing drives me insane on message boards.

[Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN]

There are some pregnancy boards that are full of really intelligent people, but some are filled with lots of dillweeds. Years ago I used to go on the Taking Charge of Your Fertility message boards, and there were definitely some smart cookies around there.