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.

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

I also tend to ignore the 'when I was in hospital having my baby' and 'when my mother/child/husband/sister was a patient' ....they are tedious.

However, I worry about what some of these posters DO with the information they read on this site. It is a judgement issue being here to begin with....therefore is wise judgement used regarding the use of information gained ?....I suspect not

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I suspect not, either. I think that's why the mods are so on the ball to lock any thread that even hints at asking for medical advice. That is a job I do not want, but they rock, in my book.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I am a nursing student and found this site just a few months ago. I have learned so much from everyone. I find most of the posters to be very supportive and caring. I am a first generation nurse so I have nobody to turn to except all of you. For that, I will always be grateful :bowingpur

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Thank y'all for visitin' . That's what my Southern grandmama would say.

I never knew the other grandma (immigrant to NY from Slovakia & died 10 years before I was born), but she probably would have said the same along with you look a little peakey here have some fruit. (that would be with a Slavic accent I guess).

Anyway talking about pre-nursing.....it took me 12 years start to finish so anybody that can beat that time as a pre-nurse SPEAK UP.

Anyway glad to see y'all....all of you-have some fruit.

[amjowens]

I'm a student nurse, and recently came upon this site. I find it so refreshing and informative-it's like the wisdom that no book can give and the kind-of-information about nursing and nurses that a student wants to know. I generally stick to the student forums, and respect my role as student.

I felt a pang of sadness, though, regarding only nurses should be involved in allnurses. Then, I thought, "why do they have a student section if they don't want students here?"...As I try to maintain a professional demeanor in my clinical settings, no matter what, I find myself extending that on this site.

My clinical group was removed (our instructor wanted us out of the environment) from a site because the nurses were so offensive to us students and wouldn't allow us to perform tasks that most teaching sites understood could be performed by students. Our new site was a different world, where the nurses were receptive to students and respected our desire to learn. This experience taught me that "nurse" is not always "nurse" as I'm striving to be. I think it's important to be able to be advocates for change toward the positive if there's a need. Only through open and honest communication, hearing different views, can we grow and become strong as a group. I do agree, it's professionalism should always be at the core, though. I'm so thankful for this experience, as I'll remember that every member of the team needs to feel at least valued for their role.

I'll be sure to stay out of the nursing area with any comments I might have, and keep them to the student area if I ever have insight from the view of student, though I don't think I've ever left a comment (other than this) in the nurse only area.

[queenjean]

I felt a pang of sadness, though, regarding only nurses should be involved in allnurses. Then, I thought, "why do they have a student section if they don't want students here?"...As I try to maintain a professional demeanor in my clinical settings, no matter what, I find myself extending that on this site.

I'll be sure to stay out of the nursing area with any comments I might have, and keep them to the student area if I ever have insight from the view of student, though I don't think I've ever left a comment (other than this) in the nurse only area.

I'm sorry you feel that way; where is this consensus that nursing student views are unwelcome? I missed that.

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I'm sorry you feel that way; where is this consensus that nursing student views are unwelcome? I missed that.

That's because there isn't one. You didn't miss it. It was never there to begin with. However, if folks want to read into this thread an attitude like that, even though I and several others have posted numerous times to the contrary, so be it.

If the shoe fits, and all that....

If you have never behaved badly on a vent thread, then this is not about you. No one said that any one group should be excluded from allnurses.

[amjowens]

Thanks.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong? She said she thinks it's mainly pre-nurses, nursing students, etc. causing problems and also seems to say that this site is meant as "allnurses" for NURSES. Apparently we come in waves, the non-nurses. Further, I read that pre-nursing students, the term, is not one that she's aware of as being used in her area. Though I'm a nursing student, from what I read, it said to me that as a non-nurse, I'm part of the "wave". And my point, well, just that there's a student, even pre-nursing student, forum area as part of allnurses. And that I will stick there if that's the appropriate thing. That's all!

Sorry if I read it wrong??? Anyway, no biggie, I suppose. I'm not a nurse yet, but I appreciate the site. Thanks.

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Amjowens-

I think you may have misunderstood. I did say that it seemed that the vast majority of the CRITICISM came from non-nurses, pre-nurses, and students. People who THINK they have a right to bash us, but have no idea of which they speak. Students will usually, and I'm being generalistic here, spout textbook garp to try and make the seasoned nurses feel bad because that is what they are being taught, and they do not know yet that that sort of stuff looks great on paper, but fails miserably in the real world.

The waves thing... that was in reference to the rise and fall of the instances of this happenstance. It will be awful for a while, die down, the back again.

I never, never said that this site was only meant for nurses, even given the name. I said that I was intrigued that those not in the profession found it interesting enough to visit. If you will read my OP and subsequent posts, I have said that several times.

As to pre-nursing not being used in my area, well, I can not control what the university calls its program. I had also never heard of the graveyard shift being called a "noc" before this site, either, if that makes you feel any better.

Does that make it more clear? Sorry for your bad experience in clinical, and good luck in school.

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

Angelfire makes some very good points. I have also noticed a trend of people seizing on one sentence or idea they dislike in a thread, and running with it. Often, these people see things that aren't even in the post or they don't read and fully comprehend the post.

Students don't bother me for the most part. But, I just wish some of them would realize that "school world" and the realities of nursing are 2 very different things. If you are posting in a working nurses portion of the boards and are not a nurse yet, to my mind you are a guest. Just like when I read the grad nurse or nursing student threads(and I do go there sometimes just for kicks) I consider myself a guest there, because I'm not a student anymore. It's very easy to think that you'll never ever be frustrated, or angry or disgusted or just plain burnt out when you aren't in the trenches yet, or haven't been in them for decades.

I really don't know what I'd do without this site some days. Being able to get ideas, encouragement and the oppourtunity to let off some steam when I've had a crappy day means the world to me.

[gentle]

Angelfire makes some very good points. I have also noticed a trend of people seizing on one sentence or idea they dislike in a thread, and running with it.

Students don't bother me for the most part. But, I just wish some of them would realize that "school world" and the realities of nursing are 2 very different things. If you are posting in a working nurses portion of the boards and are not a nurse yet, to my mind you are a guest. Just like when I read the grad nurse or nursing student threads(and I do go there sometimes just for kicks) I consider myself a guest there, because I'm not a student anymore. It's very easy to think that you'll never ever be frustrated, or angry or disgusted or just plain burnt out when you aren't in the trenches yet, or haven't been in them for decades.

I really don't know what I'd do without this site some days. Being able to get ideas, encouragement and the oppourtunity to let off some steam when I've had a crappy day means the world to me.

Thank you. I could not have said that better.

[Grace Oz]

I'm no expert, but I guess when a website is a public forum, you'll get all kinds of folks posting on the threads.

Even old geezers like me who are now retired from nursing!

Interesting thread.