Students requesting help with HW and interviewing a nurse for HW purposes

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · Oct 16, 2010

I did this assignment outside of allnurses. I actually interviewed a nurse. I think you get a real feel of what they are actually saying and how they feel about their experiences and the profession as a whole.

flashpoint · Oct 16, 2010

I took an English class that required a ten page research paper. Part of the research paper, was doing a survey of at least twnety-five people on the research topic. I asked for people here to take my survey...I think only one or two did. My goal was to find out how people all over the country handled a situation (calling in sick at work). It would have been really difficult to get a lot of different perspectives if I had just surveyed nurses who I know since there are only a few hospitals in the area and most of the nursing homes are run by the same corporation, so they have similar policies. I ended up surveying people on a few other boards I visit in order to get a good perspective of what policies are.

I don't like the idea of doing someone's homework, but I don't really see an issue with helping someone out. I won't work out someone's dosage calculation problems or answer their multiple choice questions, but when someone needs some ideas about potential infection control problems or HIPAA issues or something like that, I don't mind helping.

SnowStar4 · Oct 16, 2010

I'm not sure how old you are Black Jade, but times are changing. The internet is involved in most everything. As long as they are up front with their intentions...who cares? If you don't want to participate then don't.

CuriousMe · Oct 16, 2010

I agree with you BlackJade. I can see why a student would want to do an interview via AN, basically the nurse (interviewee) writes it all out themselves. I can't imagine that is what the Professor intended when they created the assignment.

nyteshade, BSN · Oct 16, 2010

Hmm considering the current bleak job market, maybe it would be a good idea for students to go to local hospitals and request to speak to the educators on staff about setting up an interview with interested staff nurses. Connections could possibly be formed. :idea: :idea: :idea:

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 16, 2010

Right there with you, OP. However, I seem to be in the minority. I get slammed everytime I suggest that a student at least attempt to do his/her homework before coming here. To me, there is a huge different between a student who says "what's the answer to this question?" and one who says "here's the question, here's my calculation/thought process....what am I doing wrong?"

And yes, in response to another poster, the world is changing and the internet is an integral part of education today. But students also need to learn that answers given via an online forum may not necessarily be accurate or what the instructor wants. Not to mention that giving students answers will not teach them how to truly research and will render them failures at taking exams, due to lack of knowledge base. Unless and until all education is self-taught online without an instructor, I still think a student's first request for help belongs in the classroom, in their textbook, or in their study group.

Unfortunately, there are always plenty who love to give answers so no doubt the students will keep on coming. :uhoh3:

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 16, 2010

I'm not sure how old you are Black Jade, but times are changing. The internet is involved in most everything. As long as they are up front with their intentions...who cares? If you don't want to participate then don't.

This cracks me up.....the assumption that BlackJade must be really ancient to hold the opinion that students should not rely on an internet forum to do their homework. :lol2: :lol2:

Yes, SnowStar4, all of us who believe a student should do his/her own work are all older than dirt.

litchi · Oct 16, 2010

I'm a SN, but haven't had an assignment like this so far. If I do eventually have to interview a RN, I think the big reason why I would prefer to ask someone on AN would be that I don't want to impose myself on anyone.

I wouldn't want to ask the RNs I see in clinicals to answer questions for me because I see them while they're working and don't want to interrupt--they already have enough to do! I could ask them if they would mind answering a few questions when they're done with their shift, but that would really depend on how approachable and open to helping a student out on their off time they seem.

If I ask to interview someone on AN though, I don't have to worry about bothering people that don't want to be bothered (although, sometimes it seems like the act of just asking bothers enough people on its own!). The RNs that don't mind helping a student out are free to answer, and those that don't want to can just move on to another thread.

I can only speak for myself, but I wouldn't be asking online because I see it as the easy way out or because I want to be lazy and make the RN do all the work.. it just seems like it would be the least intrusive way to ask a RN for help.

Edited to add:

I would only do this for interviewing purposes, not for general homework help. If I had any questions about any other assignments, I would most likely go to my peers (and possibly the appropriate student forum) first.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2010

This cracks me up.....the assumption that BlackJade must be really ancient to hold the opinion that students should not rely on an internet forum to do their homework.:lol2:
Yes, SnowStar4, all of us who believe a student should do his/her own work are all older than dirt.

Don't take it too hard, SS4 - I still believe in actually going to a brick and mortar library! :uhoh3: :jester: :devil: :up:

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2010

I'm a SN, but haven't had an assignment like this so far. If I do eventually have to interview a RN, I think the big reason why I would prefer to ask someone on AN would be that I don't want to impose myself on anyone.
I wouldn't want to ask the RNs I see in clinicals to answer questions for me because I see them while they're working and don't want to interrupt--they already have enough to do! I could ask them if they would mind answering a few questions when they're done with their shift, but that would really depend on how approachable and open to helping a student out on their off time they seem.
If I ask to interview someone on AN though, I don't have to worry about bothering people that don't want to be bothered (although, sometimes it seems like the act of just asking bothers enough people on its own!). The RNs that don't mind helping a student out are free to answer, and those that don't want to can just move on to another thread.
I can only speak for myself, but I wouldn't be asking online because I see it as the easy way out or because I want to be lazy and make the RN do all the work.. it just seems like it would be the least intrusive way to ask a RN for help.
Edited to add:
I would only do this for interviewing purposes, not for general homework help. If I had any questions about any other assignments, I would most likely go to my peers (and possibly the appropriate student forum) first.

See? There are at least 2 sides to every story.

SnowStar4 · Oct 16, 2010

This cracks me up.....the assumption that BlackJade must be really ancient to hold the opinion that students should not rely on an internet forum to do their homework.:lol2:
Yes, SnowStar4, all of us who believe a student should do his/her own work are all older than dirt.

I didn't mean that at all...I guess it came out wrong. I am older myself.

I just meant this for the interview part...I think an interview is an interview. Even professionals do interviews over the phone and other ways, and that is not looked down upon. When it comes to actual hw questions though I think there are better ways to find the answers than expecting us to do it.