Starting to think there should be some limits...

[roser13]

....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.

[CamillusRN, BSN]

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?"!

In a Napoleon Dynamite voice: "No . . . GOSH!!!" Or even better, when the OP on those threads flames up and starts on a warpath. Sheesh, people, we'd love to help but we won't be spoon-feeding you!

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

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.

Oh of course. Members here have given students VERY thorough and informative answers (particular shout-out to Esme and GrnTea) to students who have come on with questions like "I've read x, y, and z, but I still don't understand. Can someone explain it for me?"

Very different than "What does a nurse need to teach a pt about nitroglycerin?" Questions like these say to me that the student didn't even bother to look "nitroglycerin" up in the drug book. Drugs are listed alphabetically like a dictionary, and one would find out what they need to teach about in two minutes or less.

Or "I need to interview a nurse!!!" and then cut and paste a lengthy list of essay questions, which, even assuming a well-meaning respondent is a licensed nurse, would take hours to properly answer when typing out a reply.

[RachRN11]

I can understand annoyance, but this is a free website that invites anyone to sign up.

Also, you can simply just stop clicking on the question links and your problem would be solved.

[amoLucia]

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.

"And send it to me the fastest possible way". I snorted my coffee on this one.

To Camillus - I don't think this is a democracy.

I have a printed pillow from my bossy sister that says "You can agree with me or you can be wrong". 'Nuff said.'

There may be almost 900,000 members but I wonder how many of them have passed away, moved on (and don't care to post anymore), or haven't posted since they enrolled (and maybe didn't even post once). If they haven't posted in 3 yrs, just inactivate them. I'd bet the membership would drop SIGNIFICANTLY.

[caliotter3]

Drive by registrations are common for most websites. The site has to have an active policy of pruning inactive membership to keep the membership number accurate. You'll notice the same few are the ones who consistently post, others participate for awhile, then they move on. The majority never participate at all, other than registering their account.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

"And send it to me the fastest possible way". I snorted my coffee on this one.

Why do I get the feeling I missed out on something funny?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Drive by registrations are common for most websites. The site has to have an active policy of pruning inactive membership to keep the membership number accurate.

It SHOULD have one, but I don't believe it does. Nearly a million people who actively use the site? Seriously doubt it. More like a million have REGISTERED for the site's use....but don't.

[caliotter3]

A detractor who went away used to complain about this practice (counting everybody), as if it meant something; however, I see no problem with it, as most sites follow the same policy. It makes no difference to me. What bothers me is that some time back the membership list was removed from access. Logged on members should be, and usually are, allowed access to this information.

[Guest219794]

I've said this before and I'll say it again: I think new members should have to read an informational article about the good ole PVT and take/pass a quiz about it before posting yet ANOTHER question that has doubtlessly been answered countless times prior. A tutorial on the use of the search function might also be beneficial.

Do this, and somebody will post a link with the answers to the quiz.

Somebody else will post a way into tricking the system in to immediately letting you know if you passed...

[jennaroo]

Easy fix= quit looking in the student post if it bothers you o badly...... just a bit of critical thinking....

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

Umm? It's a great big world and this is a worldwide forum...are you really that concerned and dismayed about that which you perceive as a homework assignment? I mean....really are we that "stuck?" Must we have a blinking sign to tell us when to cross the street?

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Regrettably, many of us use the newest/active threads, so it brings up everything.

The threads also often have deceptive titles.