Starting to think there should be some limits...

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2015

Even if they don't, we seem to catch on pretty quickly. So many times the very first reply is "Is this a homework question?"

And you posters know who you are!

Alnitak7 · Apr 14, 2015

As far as getting help with your class work here, I think it would depend on what questions you need help with and how many other sources of information you've used. I've come here to ask questions about things pertaining to my classes but I was also gathering facts from numerous other sources. When quoting off this website or any other I always provide my source of information. I use these forums and others to compare my own opinions to those of the general public which has been good for my term paper grades. When someone here provides a link you have to read it and figure out if the information is accurate. In this way, not all posters are just trying to cheat on their homework.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 14, 2015

Hint#57:

Save some gray hairs + decrease your stress level by hopping over those repetitive threads. Avoid straying to student forum sections too. :)

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RNperdiem, RN · Apr 14, 2015

Maybe we can turn those pesky homework questions into something entertaining? Next time one pops up, answer with the most wacky answers we can come up with and vote on whose was the most creative.

amoLucia · Apr 14, 2015

And when medical advice is sought ... There's always some friend, in-law, sweet Babu, neighbor, uncle, etc etc (even the OP) with some lump, bump, swelling, pain, discoloration, etc that needs to be diagnosed and treated by Dr. Anonymous on this site. The sick person may or may not already be being seen by qualified health care professionals, but yet the poster seeks info from good 'ole Doc Anon.

And this doesn't even count the "my PPD site is (fill in the blank)" as the poster couldn't walk away fast enough to post Dr. Anon

It's a classic example why such info should NOT be sought from unknown sources.

Hey - get it checked out by a real HCP in person. Get a second opinion if you're not satisfied.

mirandaaa · Apr 14, 2015

Hint#57:
Save some gray hairs + decrease your stress level by hopping over those repetitive threads. Avoid straying to student forum sections too. :)

Completely agree. Nobody is forcing anyone to read anything. If you see something is repetitive or you have a feeling it's a homework question, then just skip over it :)

I feel as if this is a great source to get outside opinions and to ask for some assistance from others who know because they've been around it. Does this mean "do someone else's homework"? No, but you can offer pointers to people who are asking for help.

Getting upset about what others are posting on an open forum site is a little silly. Limiting new users to a 6 month "probationary period" won't help because in 6 months, they're just going to post the same things anyways.

We're all friends here and we aren't always going to like/care about what others are saying, but move on and read something more to your interests.

SubSippi · Apr 14, 2015

Completely agree. Nobody is forcing anyone to read anything. If you see something is repetitive or you have a feeling it's a homework question, then just skip over it :)
I feel as if this is a great source to get outside opinions and to ask for some assistance from others who know because they've been around it. Does this mean "do someone else's homework"? No, but you can offer pointers to people who are asking for help.
Getting upset about what others are posting on an open forum site is a little silly. Limiting new users to a 6 month "probationary period" won't help because in 6 months, they're just going to post the same things anyways.
We're all friends here and we aren't always going to like/care about what others are saying, but move on and read something more to your interests.

It's pretty common on message boards to have a limit of 15 or so posts before a user can actually start a thread. It seems to be pretty effective in filtering out the one-post wonders, who do nothing but give regular users more junk to sift through.

I'd like to think AN is more concerned about the quality of its content than the quantity.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2015

I keep a folder of stock answers on FAQs, as many of you have noticed. Especially for those of us who genuinely want to help students, this is sort of analogous to the same paper folder of class handouts we used in actual lecture halls year after year. You do have to realize that especially in the student forums you are going to see, well, students and it's gonna get repetitive. We rarely have to caution people more than once or twice about asking for homework answers.

I would like to see a splash screen at the opening of every student forum, obligatory, impossible to miss, requiring a "I understand" checkbox to proceed, that says something like, "We will help you learn but will not do your homework for you. Give us evidence that you have looked elsewhere before asking.

If your question involves interviewing a nurse, click here: (link to the "We get these requests all the time and this is what you should do" boilerplate). If you question involves the Pearson Vue Trick, click here: (link to some definitive post on that). If your question involves nursing diagnosis, click here: (link to Esme's and my definitive posts on how to think about nsg dx).

I understand the Search feature above and have used it. I will not use txtspk for posts."

Seems to me that if AllNurses can have spyware that identifies certain bad words, they can add "interview a nurse" and other commonly-abused terms and redirect those posts.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2015

It's pretty common on message boards to have a limit of 15 or so posts before a user can actually start a thread. It seems to be pretty effective in filtering out the one-post wonders, who do nothing but give regular users more junk to sift through.
I'd like to think AN is more concerned about the quality of its content than the quantity.

Actually, if you push that last point, you will eventually come up against the wall that says, "AN is for entertainment value only." AN is a for-profit business, and a very profitable one indeed. It doesn't take advanced algebra to multiply annual membership fees x #of members (now over 850,000, if memory serves). Add advertising revenue from for-profit "schools" and others. Quantity definitely rules.

Those of us who have fought to improve quality (e.g., by getting rid of bogus "research") have had our wrists slapped definitively, even though many of the mods and admins privately agree with us and some of the more egregious examples have been toned down or removed.

I agree with the 15-posts rule, though, and it would be congruent with many reputable online communities.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 14, 2015

Actually, if you push that last point, you will eventually come up against the wall that says, "AN is for entertainment value only." AN is a for-profit business, and a very profitable one indeed. It doesn't take advanced algebra to multiply annual membership fees x #of members (now over 850,000, if memory serves). Add advertising revenue from for-profit "schools" and others. Quantity definitely rules.

Those of us who have fought to improve quality (e.g., by getting rid of bogus "research") have had our wrists slapped definitively, even though many of the mods and admins privately agree with us and some of the more egregious examples have been toned down or removed.

I agree with the 15-posts rule, though, and it would be congruent with many reputable online communities.

On the same token many of the "get your drugs here" or "cheap counterfeit documents" spammers would be easily thwarted if the 15 post rule was applied (like it does for PM) but initiating a thread and posting links. It would only add value and professionalism

CamillusRN, BSN · Apr 14, 2015

....on what a new AN member can do. For instance, you must be a member for 6 months before you're able to post a question. The homework issue is really getting out of hand!
Students don't even beat around the the bush or try to camouflage what they're doing. They just flat-out demand homework answers. Somewhere, it must be written that AN.com is the place to get your homework done.

Agreed. Shall we put it to a vote?

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2015

I want cheap counterfeit drugs. Can you give me a link? Or better for me, just fill out the form, send me the drugs and I'll promise to pay you later when I get my dreeeeaaaammmmmm job.