For the record, I'm not asking this in any official capacity.
I'm just wondering what kinds of things hold people back from upgrading to Premium membership. The cost? Not feeling the need to post in premium forums? Not having ever really considered it? Other reasons I haven't thought of?
Again, I'm not acting as a mod in this post. I'm just being curious. It took me about six months to upgrade. I wanted to reach a point where I felt I would be sticking around. And I wanted to see if I really felt the site was worth paying for. I guess the answer is obvious. :)
I tried to get a premium membership back in November or December but don't have/don't like paypal. If it was set up to take a debit card/credit card....I would be a paying member.
ON the paypal screen, you can choose to skip going to a paypal acct and pay directly by credit card.
I joined because I was using the site. I probably could manipulate around the restrictions for premium rooms: but I'm too mouthy to see a 'juicy' comment and not reply. The only way not to post in a premium room is not too look! And I'm too curious to be on this site and not look.
And, in truth, I felt honor-bound to generate income for a site that was of such benefit to me. So, I joined within a month of 'posting'.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i waited awhile because i didn't feel i needed to post in the premium forums, and i didn't like the payment options. i hadn't figured out paypal, never having used ebay. once i got the hang of paypal, i decided that this was a great site and i should support it. so i did.
i can hit this from the opposite side. i didn't upgrade for the extra stuff. i just saw it was such a great resource and wanted to help support it. i had a few extra bucks i could swing this way as well, so i wouldn't down anyone that can't. i woulod hope no one would feel guilty if they don't have the money. i've been there, and will probably be there again...lol.
i can see i will use these forums for many years, so much great info.
[color=#0000a0]*i agree w/the above. i was so pleased with the informative posts by hundreds of nurses & student nurses, it took two weeks for me to decide if i wanted to become a premium member. i'm currently unemployed; it has been almost 2 years since i resigned, making a great salary that was quite significant to our family. there are times we're tight & low on the funds but, a month or so ago, i decided to subscribe sacrificing just a few other little things i like. i'm happy i did because "today" i don't have it to spare. :uhoh21:
i would consider this site to be my own personal career coach. i absolutely love the different views & opinions on different subjects in the field of nursing & the student opinions on different classes. for future reference, i have bookmarked & organized sites by subject based on the helpful links provided in most forums. having read hundreds of messages on this site, it has helped me make a few important decisions i found difficult, such as; what i should look for when selecting a school to attend, why, what questions to ask & what to expect. it has also been a tool of communication for my husband and i, helping us better understand what (some) students endure while attending school, (not that everyone experience the same things). however, there are a lot of posts that provide a clear understanding that, it's going to be "the family" going through nursing school & not just myself. i love this site & thought it was a great find. there's so much more i could add but, just for that alone i felt guilty not contributing & i've learnt so much.
*i paid w/our debit card w/the master card logo through pay pal. i do not recall paying to create a pay pal account & it's quick & easy to sign up.
I don't do premium memberships on any board that I read. I'm the sole financial provider for a site that I'm involved with. (we don't accept sponsorships) Gotta pick your greatest needs.
- I feel that it is not worth it. Given the overwhelming bombardment of ads over the last two years, the BB is useful at times but not as valuable as it once was to me.
- I valued the time I spent here, but frequently get burnt out on those that come here and do not show the same respect to a BB that I do. How many times do people have to post the same exact thread? It is quite easy to use and research this BB.
A great BB is a social interaction with others - like a group dinner or a party - when you enter into it, you should at least have the good manners to investigate how to use it and explore the territory - before taking over or making a scene by behaving rudely or inappropriately.
Unfortunately, I have noted that many others do not seem to value this BB in that manner. They come in, act poorly, shout (use all CAPS), expect others to work for them (research things when the answer can be found easily and rapidly by google, or search), or spout about "professionalism" yet write in a manner that should have gotten them failed out of grade school.
(If I ever see the words/phrases: BSN, union, DUI, criminal record, Florida pay rates, eating their young, catty, or "Do I really have to have a WHOLE year of RN experience before" - again, I may run amok).
While this can be excused because of some issues, it grate on one's last nerve at others. I am a nurse that has to tapdance her way around civility and the rude habits of the general public - I don't feel like doing so online. But here, I do still have to do so.
(Please not, that for these very reasons, I often take extended breaks from this BB. As such my membership money would be wasted.)
- I have seen/known premium members that have had been bounced with no notice sent to them. I have seen really good posters, that have been bounced for fairly minor issues. And I have been censored at times, for things that others would not have been censored for. As I obviously am not a good judge of what will get one in trouble one day and not the other, why pay into a loss?
- The vast majority of posts/posters that get into trouble - they occur in the premium forums. If I am locked out of them, that is one less source of problems.
- I don't like the "premium" idea. It reeks of elitism. When I had a premium membership, I really disliked the fact that the BB "marked" us. I would have preferred for it to remain unknown.
But then I decline to purchase most designer goods because I don't like wearing trademarks.
- And first and foremost, I do not feel that I can speak freely what I think here. There are forums in which I can freely speak...and those I support and they support me.
I also feel that BB gains a great deal from us, in that many of us are a great resource for information. And these are the threads that I frequently inhabit, giving information to others on my specialty. I try to avoid the really redundant threads or redirect them to an immediate source of info. Staying out of the more gossipy ones makes me hopefully more of an asset, whereas the premium forums frequently turn me into a liability.
Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.
Plain and simple for me........
Because Brian set up this WONDERFUL website, and through it I've made friend's and connections I would otherwise never have , I'm only TOO happy to contribute.
I was, initially, gifted membership by one great mate with a kind heart.
I'm a computer dummy for the most part, and don't utilise all that's available to Premium members, but that's not what's important to me.
I had a premium membership for a year and let it lapse several months ago. I like this site, and I generally like the way Brian runs it. I can afford the membership, that's not an issue.
My problem and it doesn't totally make sense to me even is I was a little offended after I became a premium member that others that weren't premium members were getting the benefits without paying. What do I mean? Some posters would start threads on obvious "break room" topics in the general nursing discussion. Some posters knew it was inappropriate but did it because they knew it would take a while for the mods to catch it and then the thread would simply be moved to the breakroom or Current Events.
I felt like I had wasted my money. And a lot of times my reasoning doesn't make sense to me, but until I feel differently I feel I'm enjoying the site as a regular member enough not to renew my premium membership. That's my personal view, I even think it's a little petty but it's the way I feel and I'll renew when I come to my senses.
ZASHAGALKA, RN
3,322 Posts
ON the paypal screen, you can choose to skip going to a paypal acct and pay directly by credit card.
I joined because I was using the site. I probably could manipulate around the restrictions for premium rooms: but I'm too mouthy to see a 'juicy' comment and not reply. The only way not to post in a premium room is not too look! And I'm too curious to be on this site and not look.
And, in truth, I felt honor-bound to generate income for a site that was of such benefit to me. So, I joined within a month of 'posting'.
And, I just renewed. Def worth it, IMO.
~faith,
Timothy.