I think I'm done answering student nurse help me threads here.
I've gotten rude answers, or they never even bother coming back to the thread to acknowledge the answers they received.
Some will ask life choice questions like "Where should I move?" or "Where should I apply?". Do they think someone is going to offer them a job here, is that why they start these threads? You have the whole internet to research towns, cities, regions, but instead you post a thread asking a bunch of strangers where you should move?
Some help me threads seem to be 'Help me do my homework' threads.
I've looked all over on AllNurses and can't find the answer to this. But I am sure that my situation is unique and special. How old must I be to be a COB? Must I be invited? If I'm not old enough, please don't suggest that I get older. That is unacceptable. Thanks everyone.
Then there's my personal favorite: "I'm a convicted felon. Should I take out $80k in student loans to attend nursing school hoping that they'll let me take NCLEX when I'm done? And what schools admit convicted felons? Thanks! :) "
I think I may be adding something like this to my siggy- I feel like even though I don't yet have RN after my name, it makes me equally nuts when people can't do their share, do their own research, or handle constructive criticism. Let alone get their panties in a twist over a thread like this. Maybe after some time perusing the fora, they'll see the 482 posts a day with the same basic topic.
Maybe it's my time in military medicine and having some life experience that have me this way? I'll take it.
Then there's my personal favorite: "I'm a convicted felon. Should I take out $80k in student loans to attend nursing school hoping that they'll let me take NCLEX when I'm done? And what schools admit convicted felons? Thanks! :) "
It isn't a stereotype if there is evidence to support it. I have been told so, so many times to "buck up" by older, more experienced nurses because "that's what we were told to do" and I'd be a "better nurse if I figured it out on my own." None of which should ever be said to a new graduate, nor someone just shy of a month off orientation. Just because that's how it WAS doesn't mean it should be how it IS.
REALLY?? What are you doing that you've been told to buck up "so, so many times???" I have never once been told to do this, but if I ask something, I usually have the research to back it up, or if I don't, say I'll come back with that info. You HAVE to have a thick skin to be a nurse. I've seen patients intimidate new nurses, and I've had to step in as a STUDENT. This isn't how it WAS, this is how it IS. YOU need to able to think through a situation. No one expects a new grad to be perfect and to have all of the answers and to never ask for help, but if you're asking for it so much and in situations that the other nurses are having to tell you to "buck up", it might be time for some introspection.
If a thread like THIS gets your feathers ruffled (seriously??), you're being way too thin-skinned. And frankly, poaching a thread that was otherwise fun.
I just registered for this site, and this is one of the first threads that I have read. It is quite entertaining, despite being steeped in broad generalizations about both "new" (per this thread, interpreted as “stupid”) and "experienced" (per this thread, interpreted as “mean and old”) nurses. The sense of community is underwhelming, but the quality of humor is above par. I am waiting for both sides to square off for a battle royale. “Nursarmageddon 2012” would certainly pull in the Pay-Per-View consumers. Which side do I join? I am able to spell and read, I do not have a DWI, I am a hopeful new nursing student pursuing a second career, with a reasonable degree of life experience, but will be an “old new” nurse upon graduation. Perhaps I should just referee?
Thats because after awhile, you will notice that there is a certain algorithm for ridiculous posts. It starts off with the OP saying some story about how they went through school with a 4.0 with 13 kids, 7 jobs, no husband/wife while trying to destroy the one ring. Then they get on here and post stupid questions and this is where the split occurs. Either you get people to come in and coddle the person and blow rainbows up their skirt, or you get the people like me and most in this thread that get tired of these stupid questions and inject some light into the thread.
This is where the next split occurs. Either you get the young newbies stating how mean and crusty the old nurses are. Or you get the old crusty bats that come in and say that the newbies have it easy/are in for a shock.
Then it goes back and forth rinse and repeat until a Mod gets in a shuts it down because someone gets their butt hurt. Its fun to sit back and watch.
Then there's my personal favorite: "I'm a convicted felon. Should I take out $80k in student loans to attend nursing school hoping that they'll let me take NCLEX when I'm done? And what schools admit convicted felons? Thanks! :) "
Those are pretty awesome. My favorite part is when the COBs show up and start to talk some sense to the OP. Then you hear the good stuff.
"It wasn't a serious felony."
"Why should this one thing mess up the rest of my life???"
"I'm really, reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally sorry. Shouldn't that be enough?!"
"You guys are so mean!"
Yes, yes. How dare we suggest you look for different employment instead of pursuing a career field in which you won't be able to get licensed...the metaphorical equivalent of throwing money out the window of a quickly moving car?
It seems like we invariably get blamed for the laws/rules/life in this kind of thread. You'd think that AN members were the BON (oh, if only!).
If I had that much say over how things were, you can bet your bottom dollar I wouldn't be wasting time online!
OCNRN63, RN
5,979 Posts
Crusty old batling?