redirecting to old threads

If I direct someone to an old thread, it's not passive aggressive behavior - I'm just simply providing the OP with more answers, usually to a question I either don't have the answer to, or a question I've answered a million times over and don't feel like rewriting. I'm long winded ?.

I'm all for rediscussing topics. Things change, some things warrant an actual discussion vs re-reading things in a different context. But I'm also all for being thorough.

Sometimes, when people redirect the OP to old threads that address their topic, that IS their way of being helpful and contributing to the new thread. There's a wealth of archived information on a site this size.

There are some that give rude responses, but for the most part I think we are all just trying to be helpful. When it comes to topics that are discussed EVERY WEEK it sometimes gets old. Especially when it comes to common sense things (and yes believe me I know that common sense is not that common). I just think that before posting a really vague question it's helpful to search through some older posts. Then start with "I have already looked through some old topics/posts/threads, but I still have a question about x,y, or Z). None of us is perfect, and we all have bad days. Keep that in mind.

Yes...I often wonder why certain people will take the time to tell you that they are "not" going to tell you anything! Perplexing!

I find it irritating sometimes when you see multiple threads with the exact same subject line and questions. Doing a brief look might help you find some really greats answers from previous posters, and if not then you know what to ask for help with specifically.

First, I think that most people are trying to be helpful when the direct you to previous threads on a topic. Also, personally, I don't get anything out of rehashing the same general topic that have been discussed on here many times. Examples: "What is your opinion of nursing having visible tattoos?" "How can hospitals not hire someone who smokes?" "BSNs are stupid! Discuss." These topics that come up over and over inevitably devolve into personal attacks and get way off topic…and thus become,for me, a general waste of time.

Instead post a specific question, and people are generally happy to discuss it. If you want people to be engaged in a discussion, make it real…make it relevant you your life and your practice.

Waaaa! I'm too dumb to realize that direction to another thread is rude! I thought it was helpfulness.

Maybe the point is that emails allow for much "between the lines" interpretation because we don't see expressions, hear tones of voice or have any other interpretive advantages of nonverbal communication. If kadeemb was making the point that negative interpretations of a message are easier to make in emails or postings, then I agree that we could pay more attention to our written communication.

That said, we can also pay attention to how we receive any message. If I think it's "mean" or unhelpful, I'll skip over it and not give it a "like." If it's mean but has something useful, I'll take that and leave the rest (and may or may not give a like.) I've benefited highly from the responses (usually from admins) that say "this has been covered in" and give the link. Hope this doesn't stop!

Thanks, kadeemb, for the topic. I haven't been around long enough to refer to pre-existing threads but when I'm experienced enough to to do that, I will watch out for how I offer the suggestion.

Most of the time we really are being helpful by redirecting to old threads. Those old threads hold a wealth of information. For instance, when someone asks "what kind of nursing shoes should I get", a redirection will result in hundreds of past responses in multiple threads that they simply won't get on a new thread. There are times, however, when it is clear that the OP wants others to do legwork for them. For instance, "what are the prerequisite requirements for XYZ nursing program in El Paso" or "what nursing schools are in Rhode Island". In those instances, we will rightly refer them to google or to the specific website. Often it really is because they need to do that research for themselves but it is also because no one wants to be responsible for providing inaccurate information.

Most of the time we really are being helpful by redirecting to old threads. Those old threads hold a wealth of information. For instance, when someone asks "what kind of nursing shoes should I get", a redirection will result in hundreds of past responses in multiple threads that they simply won't get on a new thread. There are times, however, when it is clear that the OP wants others to do legwork for them. For instance, "what are the prerequisite requirements for XYZ nursing program in El Paso" or "what nursing schools are in Rhode Island". In those instances, we will rightly refer them to google or to the specific website. Often it really is because they need to do that research for themselves but it is also because no one wants to be responsible for providing inaccurate information.

Here's an excellent example why I'll refer an OP to previous posts. Many newbies will be facing their first state survey med pass. They ask for helpful tips. I've read many of the older posts and the info they contain is excellent. Even if the NEW request receives 50 good repeated suggestions, there'll a good 50 or more other suggestions that may also be extremely appropriate for a newbie's first survey med pass. And I'd bet that there will be ONE particular tip in a previous post that will make (or break) it for the newbie.

So for the most part, there is good info out there to be reviewed. And yes, there are some requests that seem to be beating the dead horse ... LIKE TATOOS (my pet peeve). But I'll just skip reading/answering that post.

I think it's rude to expect us to do the work of rewriting the same answers over and over again because the OP is too lazy to do a search to find where those answers are already located.