Please ask responsible and thoughtful questions!

Jo Dirt · Apr 3, 2008

It doesn't bother me when people come to discuss things they have learned and share experiences, but what really gets me annoyed is when the post consists of questions directly from a textbook.

I saw one the other day where it was even labeled as #1 and #2. They were situational questions like you find at the end of the chapters.

It's also annoying when they try to sneak in the homework questions and pretend like they are asking for other reasons.

vashtee, RN · Apr 3, 2008

I don't know about anyone else, but I don't really get homework assignments (aside from assigned reading and case studies once per quarter).

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2008

It's also annoying when they try to sneak in the homework questions and pretend like they are asking for other reasons.

I agree. We are not the "Homework Help Line" or the "Ask the Nurse" website.

It's no wonder that many graduates repeatedly fail NCLEX. Perhaps they are obtaining the answers from sites such as this one, without really putting forth any effort to learn the concepts and think analytically.

gospursgo07 · Apr 3, 2008

What happened to the thinking that "no question is a dumb question"?

Now, i can see those where the questions are obvoiusly straight from a home work assignment, etc. to be a bit annoying...

However, I personally, simply benefit from hearing other's perspectives on how they would handle a situation/procedure, etc. I find it helpful when I can feel comfortable asking a group of my peers how to do something (as dumb as it may sound).

I am a new nurse (a little over 1 year now... :nurse: ) and obviously do not have as much experince as many of you. I remember the first time I had to insert a NG tube, i was soooooo scared. It was a simple post on this forum followed by quick, helpful, and supportive replies that helped me thorough that situation (now I am a NG pro!) :up:

I do look up the procedures prior to posting a question (as I am sure many other posters do) but sometimes a "technical" explination (as in, textbook) is not the best way to explain it to a first-timer. It is usually just advice and encouragement that many of us crave from all of you who possess more wisdom in this field than we do.

My apologies if these types of questions come off as irresponsible or un-thoughtful...just know that they are anything but.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 4, 2008

I can see both sides, but we do have choices...those who are not interested in a particular thread does not have to participate, or answer it. I have seen several of them that I considered as a person taking the easy way out, but, I am not that person, so, I can only go on a feeling than a fact.

One of the reasons why I am so active here is that I receive a wealth of information from here...it is a wonderful resource and I have met many wonderful (yet, faceless) people, who, I can tell from the language and tone of their posts that they are sincere in their interaction with me and others. Many times, I think of something at work, only to come here and see that someone else asked the question I was thinking about. I have also posted some questions that plagued me and have received wonderful and useful answers.

We won't all agree on what is a valid question or what is not, really. I have seen some doozies...but, again, I just chose not to respond to them.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2008

I understand what you're saying witch..........

However, we ALL ask our share of silly questions! AND for someone who has been reading for over 10 years, you have a grand total of 13.2 posts per year.....

CritterLover, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2008

i, too, can see both sides.

i skip over the obvious homework-type questions.

now, if the op has looked for an answer, and just needs a nudge or some clarification, that is one thing. but those who are just posting the questions for us to answer ... quite annoying.

as for the p/p type questons, one thing i have learned is that p/p can vary greatly from region to region. a couple of examples:

some parts of the country are still using heplock to flush pivs. some don't use heplock at all, even for impanted ports.

in many areas of the country, phenergan isn't given at all iv unless through a central line (ins standards). other parts of the country (and i'm in one of them), phenergan is given ivp all the time, even through pivs, even through ivs in in very tiny veins. (if you have any questions about this, there are multiple threads on the subject)

i *do* get a chuckle over the posters that insist that xyz has to be done abc way because that is how it is done at their facility.

one of my favorite things about this bb is reading how different things are done at different facilities -- often, how up-to-date we are depends (at least initially) on how cutting-edge our physicians are, which is something nurses have little control over.

on the other hand, i do get a bit irritated when posters don't realize that their first stop for info should be the p/p manuel at their facility or a drug reference book. however, once those resources are looked at, an is great for clarification and/or additional info.

TRAMA1RN · Apr 4, 2008

I have been reading this forum for over 10 years now. I enjoy it very much, but I must say it really yanks my chain, some of the questions I see posted here. We are indeed here to help one another but sometimes it appears individuals are using this forum to eascape actually doing research for answers. Basic drug questions I feel should be looked up in a PDR or on the drug sites actual web page. Also such questions pertaining to certain procedures, your facilities own policy should be the first place you look for answers as most facilities have varying policies on correct procures, that you should be following. I really do not want to come off as mean, but I have found the best way to learn is to read about a procedure or drug in official texts and then perform the procedures with supervision after refering to policies.

If my original post was read completely, I stated that I do not mind helping others it is only when it is OBVIOUS that research from official sites has not been done, this site is not able to be used in works cited. I never stated that questions were dumb, only that I thought some questions I have been seeing did not show critical thought processes in place before being posted. As none of us knows everything and the only way to learn, is to ask qustions to expand that knowledge, but we must also be responsible and think about our questions before we post them. Thank you! :nurse:

TRAMA1RN · Apr 4, 2008

I understand what you're saying witch..........
However, we ALL ask our share of silly questions! AND for someone who has been reading for over 10 years, you have a grand total of 13.2 posts per year.....

I am not sure what the number of posts I have made before has to do with this particular post.

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2008

What an interesting OP. As a fairly new nurse, I am always interested in what others have to say and offer as their opinions. It's interesting....as I have gained a certain level of experience, it would be easy to say that certain posts are of too "basic, needy, or don't belong" on a forum, but at one time I needed that advice and appreciated the feedback from experienced, helpful nurses.

After seeing the vast differences between clincal instructors and lecturers...I really believe we are not all given the same opportunity to form the basis of our knowledge. If you could read a book and "get it" we wouldn't need nursing schools.

Again, the problem...just because a person has a nursing degree, it does not necessarily make them an instuctor, manager, administrator etc....all of these positions should be fit to the person, not the degree. I believe many LPNs, and diploma nurses would make excellent instructors. While many advance degree holders cannot answer simple questions or even back up their test questions.

Anyway back to the OP, the only stupid question is the one not asked, harming a patient and endangering a license. Having book knowledge is not enough, really understanding through other's experiences makes the difference. For those of you who thinks the posts are too elementary, or will annoy you....avoid them, let other who want to help do it.

As for me, I will remember the questions I had, the questions that my daughter and her roommates are emailing to me(PhD instructor), and the plight of those without anyone to help them, and will not judge them or their lack of experience. They will become endoctrinated soon enough to those nurses who will never give them a helping hand....it shouldn't be here.

Maisy

Agnus · Apr 4, 2008

It's no wonder that many graduates repeatedly fail NCLEX. .

I was not aware of this. I admit it has been a few years since I looked at the numbers but at that time (it would have been withing the last 6 years) I looked it was well over 80% who passed the first time they took it. Sorry I do not recall the exact percentage but I do recall it was higher than 80%. This was nation wide not state or a particular school.

rn/writer, RN · Apr 4, 2008

I was not aware of this. I admit it has been a few years since I looked at the numbers but at that time (it would have been withing the last 6 years) I looked it was well over 80% who passed the first time they took it. Sorry I do not recall the exact percentage but I do recall it was higher than 80%. This was nation wide not state or a particular school.

Here is a link to a site that lists NCLEX passing rates:

https://www.ncsbn.org/1237.htm

The first-time pass rate for 2007 was 85%.

As for the original complaint, I am happy to help the inexperienced and the confused. Some days, I qualify for that description myself, so I'm inclined to be gentle. There is no point in being harsh with someone who is already bewildered or overwhelmed, and sometimes a kind word along with the requested knowledge can settle the spirit and recalibrate perspective.

On the flip side are the "do-my-homework-for-me" kinds of posts that look like someone is trying to take the easy way out. When I see those, I push the poster to tell us the research they've already done, the thoughts they have on the subject, and specific areas where they are confused. Just spoon-feeding someone the answers short-changes them, renders them less likely to retain the knowledge, and robs their future patients of a nurse who has a thorough understanding of the care he/she is providing. I can't in good conscience contribute to that scenario.

Here is the link to a thread that provides an excellent example of a student who did the work but needed guidance:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/care-plan-presentation-please-guide-289206.html

Most exchanges will not be this complex, but I do like to see evidence that the poster has put some effort into deciphering the questions and trying to problem-solve on their own. If they haven't, they may not understand the answers, even if they are handed to them, and that kind of defeats the purpose of getting help.

I do believe that the pressure of nursing school can lead otherwise honest people to grasp at shortcuts, but cutting corners can bite in the long run. AN is a fabulous resource, but it is no substitute for doing the work and making sure you understand the material.

As for experiential-type questions--the kinds of things that you feel sheepish about uttering in school or during orientation, ask away. There is no element of "cheating" with this kind of question. I'm all for AN being a safe haven for nurses who are stumbling and fumbling through new territory and would just like the freedom to lay it all out there without fear of humiliation. That befuddled nurse could be any one of us with a job change.