Noticing a trend here

[AngelfireRN]

Forgive me....I'm kinda bored and when I get bored I dwell on things.

I have been noticing a trend on the boards lately, and I don't like it.

Part of what I love about this site is the fact that you can come here, post thread about what bothers you, and talk about it, get feedback, have people of a like mind get mad right along with you, etc.

And then there are "them".

We all know of which I speak.

Those high-and mighty, self-righteous, know-it-alls that have to come on to every vent thread I have ever seen and tell us that we sound mean, we have offended them, they hope they never have us as a nurse, etc. Then there are those that try to tell you what you SHOULD think , how you SHOULD feel, and what you SHOULD do.

Seems to be getting worse. The splenda packet thread comes to mind more vividly than others, those of you that have read that one will know what I mean.

And another thing I have noticed, it's mostly non-nurses, pre-nurses (that must be new, or else we don't have that where I live, because I have never heard of a pre-nurse before here), or student nurses that want to start the rumpus.

My questions are:

1) Why? Do they just thrive on causing controversy? Gotta hand it to them, though, they're persistent. They hang on and will NOT leave.

2) Can we not do something about them? When they hijack a thread, can we mute them? I know we can report them to the mods, but beyond that, can we band together and do something else?

3) This site is called allNURSES. I fail to see why non-nurses would want to be here. I'll defend their right to be here with my last breath, it's a free country, but my hubby can't stand to hear me talk about some of the things I do without getting queasy. What kind of kick could a layperson get out of this site? The things we talk about usually would make no sense to a layperson, unless they have acquantances or family in the medical field, or have spent a lot of time around the field.

Has anyone else noticed the increase in this trend, or is it just me? If so, does it bother you? Just curious. Thanks.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Funny . . . . the timing of this thread. I just made a comment in the Breakroom's "Good Morning Thread" about how much I appreciate allnurses, Brian and the mods because I have been reading newspaper comments today regarding a local tragedy and it is so sad the venom spouted there. I'm shocked really - not used to that kind of ugliness since this site is the only one I post on.

So, my perspective is different. I think this site is run quite well.

Kudos to the staff.

steph

[misserella8036]

I start nursing school in the fall and have been on this site for the past year. I've never said anything mean or condecending to anyone. I find the information on this site to be invaluable. I would hope that the few "bad eggs" wouldn't make us "pre-nurses" look like trouble makers.

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I start nursing school in the fall and have been on this site for the past year. I've never said anything mean or condecending to anyone. I find the information on this site to be invaluable. I would hope that the few "bad eggs" wouldn't make us "pre-nurses" look like trouble makers.

Not at all, honey. I have no problem whatsoever with the ones who use the site for what it was intended for. My issue was with those that don't.

If you have not said anything, then this was not aimed at you. It just seems that most of the bashing comes from that end. I was generalizing, not making a specific target. As to the "few" bad eggs, well, it's quite a bit more than that, unfortunately, I'm afraid. Several cartons' worth, at least.

Good luck in school!

[bollweevil]

That's not what she is trying to do or say.

It isn't? Please clarify. I am confused. I thought she said she didn't want laypersons and Tweety seemed to agree, saying they didn't have a clue and expected all nurses to be kind and giving all the time, never have a neg thought or the like. Not trying to agitate, I just am confused. As usual. :nuke:

[RN1982]

It isn't? Please clarify. I am confused. I thought she said she didn't want laypersons and Tweety seemed to agree, saying they didn't have a clue and expected all nurses to be kind and giving all the time, never have a neg thought or the like. Not trying to agitate, I just am confused. As usual. :nuke:

I thought she meant that she didn't want people who know nothing about the medical or nursing field. Thats what I thought. But there are going to people out there that don't have a clue.

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

This site is called allNURSES. I fail to see why non-nurses would want to be here. I'll defend their right to be here with my last breath, it's a free country, but my hubby can't stand to hear me talk about some of the things I do without getting queasy. What kind of kick could a layperson get out of this site? The things we talk about usually would make no sense to a layperson, unless they have acquantances or family in the medical field, or have spent a lot of time around the field.

Please refer to the above. I never said nor did I imtimate that I did not WANT laypersons on this site. I would not say that. I DID say that I had a problem with laypersons lambasting us for venting when they have never lived a day in the life of a nurse.

I said I was mystified that anyone who was nonmedical would want to be here, and the talk about body fluids and functions can get a bit graphic, and the abbreviations can be confusing. My hubby says listening to me give orders is like listening to someone read an eye chart!

Mystified, yes. Against, no.

I have no problem with laypersons on this site at all, unless they do exactly what is being done now, lambast us for talking about a problem that obviously has not escaped notice.

I will defer to Tweety for his response, but I have a feeling we are of a like mind. Hope this clarifies your confusion.

BTW, another little trend of the trend... has anyone noticed that most every time one of these of which I speak starts up, they will either preface or end the post with either "I'm just saying", "Just expressing my opinion.", or "I'm not trying to start anything."? Purely an observation on my part.

[tk3100]

There are times that I swear posting on this site and reading the response of others has saved my sanity and kept me from leaving nursing altogether. I would never consider going to a website for nuclear physicists or electricians or any other career that I cannot possibly understand and criticize. I certainly cannot understand that response toward our profession either. After all, I am sure most of us endure criticism all day on the job and certainly do not desire it when we are trying to unwind. I know I certainly see things from a different perspective now after years of experience than I did when I started.:)

[perky_nurse:)]

In response to your little spat about this site, I must say people like you seem to want to discourage people like me from coming on this site to accumilate information for my future career endeaver.

The OP wasn't discouraging people who come here to "accumilate information" she is referring to people who Hi-jack vents- and act like self-righteous, know-it-alls...when they have no experience to comment on....

I am NOT saying anyone in this tread is acting like a self-righteous, know-it-all

It is frustrating when you are venting about something, then someone who is not a nurse, or have no experience in what you are referring to and they speak like they know EVERYTHING, and procede to comment about "what a bad, terrible nurse" the op must be.....

BTW, the "little spat" comment seems somewhat uncalled for...

[gentle]

Why do we come here...not only to get info, talk to other nurses so we can remember we are not alone in our thoughts/feelings...but also to vent. A very important tool in a world that sees nurses still as a woman dominated field...one where subservience and sympathy at all cost reigns...

I came into nursing as ME! . . . who thought...hey, maybe I can make a difference...if not, just make patients feel better than what I have been shown as a patient/patient's loved one.

I do vent from time to time....so do we all...and I feel very limited in fear of ticking someone else off by speaking my mind! I do that at work folks...not in MY time!

:yeahthat:

[everthesame, LPN, LVN]

Forgive me....I'm kinda bored and when I get bored I dwell on things.

My questions are:

1) Why? Do they just thrive on causing controversy? Gotta hand it to them, though, they're persistent. They hang on and will NOT leave.

2) Can we not do something about them? When they hijack a thread, can we mute them? I know we can report them to the mods, but beyond that, can we band together and do something else?

3) This site is called allNURSES. I fail to see why non-nurses would want to be here. I'll defend their right to be here with my last breath, it's a free country, but my hubby can't stand to hear me talk about some of the things I do without getting queasy. What kind of kick could a layperson get out of this site? The things we talk about usually would make no sense to a layperson, unless they have acquantances or family in the medical field, or have spent a lot of time around the field.

Has anyone else noticed the increase in this trend, or is it just me? If so, does it bother you? Just curious. Thanks.

1) No idea but I would guess you are right. It really is beyond me as to why someone knowingly goes into a thread usually clearly labeled "VENT" to tell the OP and their sympathizers how horrible they are for thinking they are allowed to have human emotions. How dare anyone in the health care field complain about anything or anyone they encounter at work.

2) Ignore them is the obvious answer but we both know that won't happen. It is very hard to resist when someone is pushing buttons. Also, some posters display troll-like behavior and if a post of theirs does not get a response they continue to post until they get a bite.

3) I can see how non-nurses end up on this site. There are hundreds of interesting, informative and even amusing posts here. I cannot see how non-nurses/non-health care workers feel like they have a right to chastise us for venting.

I don't know if there is an increase in the trend but I do know that when I am reading any vent-type thread that has more than a page of responses I start to wonder how soon I will come across one of "those" posts.

[labcat01, BSN, RN]

It is interesting that you should post this because I was reading a thread the other day (someone had an honest question) and the response she got was just so condescending and rude.

The OP had less then 30 posts and if I had been her, I probably wouldn't have posted here ever again. I've also noticed that it is usually the SAME people spreading negativity from thread to thread. I believe in venting- but some times it goes beyond venting.

[luvmy3kids]

I'm a "pre-nursing" student... I have been now for 2+ years ((ugg)). I joined AllNurses a little over 2 years ago as well.

My mom was a nurse, my sister is an RN, my cousin is a NP and my aunt is an RN. I've been surrounded by nurses my entire life (I'm 34). They've taught me a lot, and I've heard many many stories.

However, I've learned more about being a nurse in the last two years from this site, than I have my ENTIRE life being related to the many nurses in my family. (or from school for that matter)

I've always try to be supportive, optimistic, and I've never tried to act like I was a nurse and knew more than I did. I've learned sooooo much more than I could have ever imagined from listening to the many many stories that are posted here each day.

Even though I don't have a lot of real useful info yet to share, I think we can all learn from eachother (whether we are nurses or not).

Just my opinion. I really do enjoy it here.

Jennifer