Is it just me or does this board seem really negative? I belong to other forums that deal with working out, cars, and mountain biking and there are hardly ever any "rant" threads, maybe 5% at most. Here, it's like the opposite. Do people come here in the general discussion just to rant?

I think general is a lot of venting. Since we have so many subcategories, this is really the only place for pure venting about work.

Nursing is such a wearing profession, and most of us don't want to keep dumping the burden on our families and co-workers, so we bring it where someone has the option whether they want to deal with our fussing or not. :)

Tait

I think people need to vent and can come here to do it, and get some support from peers. It helps a person fact the next day a little bit more easily.

"Do people come here in the general discussion just to rant? "

Yes, if they feel the need to. In a way, your post is a rant itself on percieved "negativity" of the forum. We can vent here, or we can blow up at our patients/families/co-workers. Much less damage done here.

I notice that the other websites you mention all have to do with "fun stuff" ... hobbies ... etc. People don't usually find their hobbies to be all that frustrating. If they did, they would simply stop doing them.

Work on the other hand ...

The other forums you described are all hobbies or enjoyment activities....if someone ranted about that, I would advise them to change their hobby!

This is an occupation. Much more difficult to change on a whim, so therefore you'll get rant threads. I also believe many on here see the potential nursing can hold and are frustrated when non medical people in charge make decisions that thwart the potential.

Just my opinion....

Who the heck would rant about mountain biking??

Most people who are not nurses do not understand what we go through on a daily basis. If I did not have the opportunity to vent anonymously to people who really get what I am dealing with, I guarantee I would either lost my mind or quit nursing altogether!

I rant/vent here because you all know what I go through because you all go through it too. I'd rather vent here to someone that understands where I am coming from rather than to my family who have no clue what I do when I work. So no, I don't think ranting is purely negative. We need to get it off our chest. I need to get it off my chest. So if I have to rant/vent, I'll come here.

Isn't this a negative thread???

Who the heck would rant about mountain biking??

What is there to say about mountain biking??? I like this or that equipment, I wear this or that helmut, I like this or that trail.

How much more fun to get together with a bunch of other nurses and complain about patients, their families, annoying coworkers, hospital management, and the latest idiotic regulation handed down by the joint commission...

we are all good friends here and that is what good friends do....they listen to you !

i love this forum and have grown as a nurse tremendously. i love all of my an buddies ! let the venting begin

prasier :heartbeat

I don't think these are necessarily " negative threads" people are just venting about the negative aspects of nursing. I think its healthy that people come on here to vent. Its better than keeping their emotions bottled up inside.

Now as student nurse, I have to admit that some of these posts make me nervous about starting a nursing career. I also have to realize that each one of us is different and whats hard for one nurse or new grad may not be as challenging for another nurse.