Question RE posts by student nurses

[JennyNurse2B]

Hello all! I would like to say first that I really enjoy this forum. I have learned so much about what is ahead of me, some things are scary, some exciting. I do not make a habit of posting in the General forum, unless I am saying something general like my opinion on something non-nursing related.

I am curious as to whether any posts at all by student nurses are bothersome to some of you, or is it only when non-nurses post about nursing practice matters? The last thing I want to do is offend anyone on here, especially since I hope to be a more active part of the discussions when I do finally join the nursing world. If it is bothersome or offensive for us students to post anywhere outside the student forums, I understand and will make sure to keep my posts confined to that area.

Thanks! :)

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

I don't think there is anything wrong with posting here. From what I see, what rankles people are students that are asking for homework help, and student nurses that think they already know everything.

Good luck in your studies! :)

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Of course student nurses are welcome to post here. The only 2 things that I find aggravating from students are:

1) Posting homework questions and outright asking for answers without showing any evidence of having attempted to work out the problem prior to asking for help. Everyone needs to do their own homework. Come here to ask for clarification or help with a specific problem that has confounded you.

2) Posting judgmental answers/opinions about nursing situations that a student really is clueless about (and should know that they are clueless about).

[TriciaJ, RN]

I don't see anything wrong with students posting on the general forum. Especially to seek information or clarification. But expressing strong opinions based on very limited knowledge or experience can be off-putting to some.

When people with NO nursing background whatsoever weigh in on practice issues, well, that is usually insulting.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

All of the above. I welcome student nurses as participants on this forum, but homework questions, ethical dilemmas related to student nursing clinical situations, etc., should be posted in the student forums. It's the same standard I have for everyone who participates on AN, not just students. Threads about Emergency nursing should be posted in the Emergency nursing section, threads about Critical Care nursing should be posted in the Critical Care section, threads from CNAs about CNA issues should be posted in the CNA section, etc.

[JennyNurse2B]

That all makes perfect sense to me. Actually, even though I am not a nurse yet, the issues you all have mentioned bother me, too. Especially when brand new grads give strong, rude opinions to a veteran. That would greatly offend me.

I have noticed a lot of homework questions on here, too. I don't really understand why they are posting them here when there is a student assistance forum specially for that very thing! Sometimes I think people don't take the time to look at the different areas of this site and they just post everything to the General forum.

Anyhoo...thank you for the clarification! :)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

We love students. In fact, we've all been students during several points in our lives. :)

However, I am personally annoyed when a student opines about something in a judgmental manner without ever having walked a mile in the shoes of the experienced nurse. I will post some quotes that have irritated me during the years because the students obviously did not know the whole story or understand the rationales behind what the more experienced people were doing.

1. "That horrible nurse put wrist restraints on that sweet old lady and wouldn't even give her a sip of water. I wanted to cry!"

2. "The lazy nurses at my clinical site (med/surg floor) only checked in with their patients maybe five or six times during the shift! I'm going to be a much better nurse than them when I start working!"

3. "I'm doing clinical rotations at a LTC facility right now, and all of the nurses seem to be sitting, doing paperwork, answering phones, and not caring about their patients."

4. "I took my mother to the ER this weekend for a nasty cough. The nurses were eating chips and salsa during their breaks and didn't seem to care about their jobs."

5. "How could people have no compassion left? I did a clinical shift on an ortho floor, and the nurse refused to give pain meds to the patient!"

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

Even though I graduated and am working as a rn, I still consider myself a student. There is always something to learn and there is so much great advice here. I posted many questions as a student nurse and am sure I will be posting many more as I continue on. :)

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Heheh, I remember #4! Heaven forbid nurses should eat.

[JennyNurse2B]

From what I understand, they are going to have a HUGE wake up call when it comes to paperwork. I have spent a lot of time in medical facilities as a patient and I know that there is a ton of paperwork involved in nursing.

I wish people would just stop being so judgmental. It really doesn't help anyone!

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

It's great when students join in and come with an indication that they've tried to figure something out, but either got stuck, or don't think they got the right answer.... admitting what one does NOT know is often much more critical than claiming such a vast knowledge that Flo Nightengale starts to resurrect to find the new shero of nursing :)

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

The only thing I find bothersome is when students come looking to have their homework done for them. It is one thing to ask for help, but it is quite another to ask for the answers. The worst part is some of the time someone comes along and gives them the answer.