Who are these "know it all" nurses that frequent this forum? Are you here just to drive me crazy? I hate that we are no longer allowed to vent about our bad day or complain about annoying patients. Heaven forbid we say something negative or we will be labeled as "heartless" and "unprofessional." Are these people who know everything really nurses? Do they really deal with the public day in and day out like I do?
Sometimes patients need to be put in their place. That doesn't make me a bad nurse for telling them so. Yes I do have negative thoughts about my non compliant patient who doesn't have insurance and frequents my hospital 4 times a week for the same thing. Yes, getting your prescription filled and taking your medicine would save everyone a lot of time and headache... Whoops maybe I shouldn't have said that... that makes me a "complainer" and "uncaring." I guess I AM "what is wrong with nursing today."
And heaven forbid I wear my Tom and Jerry scrub top to work.. That makes me "brainless."
I bet now I will be labeled "cruel" or "harsh" for starting this "hateful" thread.
TigerGal, don't let it get to you. There are no shortage of 'armchair quarterbacks' in the world who think they know of what they speak when they really don't have a clue! And the internet is full of all the crazies of the world...in fact sometimes I think they ALL flock to the internet...and it's easy to write strong, possibly offensive things online that one would never say to a person's face because one doesn't have to deal with the consequences directly.
TigerGal, don't let it get to you. There are no shortage of 'armchair quarterbacks' in the world who think they know of what they speak when they really don't have a clue! And the internet is full of all the crazies of the world...in fact sometimes I think they ALL flock to the internet...and it's easy to write strong, possibly offensive things online that one would never say to a person's face because one doesn't have to deal with the consequences directly.
I think you are right and I am afraid that at times I am very guilty of this. I really am glad you posted this and I really am going to try to keep this in mind when I post. I do tend to say things at times that I would never say to the person next to me and that is completely wrong.
A few people seem to be spoiling it for the rest of us. Some people just seem to want to argue and/or just prove they are right ( even if they are wrong). And if someone "starts" with me I will defend myself but if they keep attacking me I just ignore them, really what's the point of arguing post after post?
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
we seem to go through "phases" where it's "open season on seasoned nurses." an experienced nurse will vent, and a whole pack of new grads and students will jump on her and tell her how horrible it is for her to feel that way, how they will never be as embittered and nasty and how anyone who hates their job/patients/management that badly should just quit. i've gone through quite a few periods where people will tell me i'm just a hateful old dog who eats her young, shouldn't be allowed to precept and should just quit her job anyway. then there are periods where students and new grads tell me how i'm a great preceptor, and they wished they had a mentor like me. i think it's just chance . . . i know i'm not bipolar!
anyone who hasn't actually done the job, or hasn't done it in the past few years is not actually qualified to tell experienced bedside nurses anything about how to be (or not to be) a nurse.
I've seen changes in the last couple of years (I've been a member since 2004 and a mod since 2006).
Tougher economic conditions have created an undercurrent of tension that wasn't there before. Students used to endure hard times in school, but they had the hope that as soon as they crossed the finish line, they'd find good jobs and the sun would shine again. Now people worry that they're knocking themselves out and may end up with nothing to show for their efforts but big loans.
Some seasoned nurses may have come back to work or increased their hours when a partner or spouse was laid-off. Lots of folks have watched their retirement savings shrink.
Paying sky-high housing expenses, keeping the cars running, putting kids through school, heck, just putting groceries on the table--it all adds up.
It's tough sometimes to go to work with all of this gnawing at you and then have to put on a happy face and take care of folks who don't seem to have a clue. It can be especially challenging when you're caring for people who appear to feel entitled to perfection.
There will always be conflicts between students and seasoned nurses. And between those who see nurses as angels of mercy and those who see them as pretty good people who try their best to do a challenging job. And between those who need to blow off some steam and those who are trying to keep their optimism alive. But any time you have a national sense of apprehension and stress, the individual struggles intensify.
Three things could help keep things calm here on the board--
We could all try a little harder to separate the post from the poster and stay connected even when we disagree.
We could remember that we're all carrying some kind of load and for some, it's almost more than they can bear.
And we could agree to disagree with respect. There are ways to have a good rip-snorting argument that still follows the rules of logic and decency and doesn't tear down those who disagree. A good debate is invigorating. "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." A vicious smack-down, on the other hand, leaves everybody bruised and battered to no good end.
It saddens me to see what could be a good discussion degenerate into petty, defensive name-calling and snarkiness. I wish that folks knew how to side-step the mud-slinging and focus on the parts of the argument that really deserve attention.
I hope the economy improves enough for nursing to be the shining employment beacon it once was. And I hope all of you can find what you need to make life work for you and those you care about.
That's as close to Kumbayah as I can get without needing insulin.
anyone who hasn't done it in the past few years is not actually qualified to tell experienced bedside nurses anything about how to be (or not to be) a nurse.
yes ma'am! (salutes)
i'll try to remember that in any future posts i make...
i've been here since day 1 1/2. and believe me this is about the best this place has ever been, safe, secure and confidential. you went to cu i know and i know you are a good nurse (in spite of my gamecock leanings in other areas.! :) what's wrong? brian is providing a safe site for nurses to interact and network. i have to say i disagree.
nothing is wrong per say. it is like when you come home and vent to your husband about your day and then he proceeds to tell you what you did wrong, what he would have done differently, and then how you need to fix the situation. all you really want is for someone to listen, give you hugs, and tell you that sometimes life just sucks. :redbeathe
if i wanted to hear what i did wrong, what others would have done differently, and how i need to fix the problem then i wouldn't even need allnurses.com. i could just vent to my husband every night after work.
I get that seasoned nurses (and all nurses in general) need to vent.
I get that students and new grads don't know what it's like to be a seasoned nurse.
What I don't get is the nastiness. Posters attacking each other. And it keeps going on and on until a moderator closes the thread. And then another thread opens and it starts all over again.
I still believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, whatever stage they are.
I guess I'm just crabby -- I think I'll take a break for a while.
I have been a member here since 2003 and I have noticed a difference in the past year. I dont feel as welcome and comfortable on here as I once did. But I still come back, not as often, but I visit here every now and then. There are some wonderful nurses on here who I love to talk with. But sometimes there is the occassional troll who likes to stir things up. I have enough stress from work, I dont need to come here and experience the personal attacks too. But Ive learned to just type my opinion and go on. If someone wants to argue, they can do it with someone else, Im not going to entertain it. So lets just continue to support each other and ignore those who only come here to entertain themselves.
I get that seasoned nurses (and all nurses in general) need to vent.
I get that students and new grads don't know what it's like to be a seasoned nurse.
What I don't get is the nastiness. Posters attacking each other. And it keeps going on and on until a moderator closes the thread. And then another thread opens and it starts all over again.
I still believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, whatever stage they are.
I guess I'm just crabby -- I think I'll take a break for a while.
I agree 100% and that is why I started this thread!
pretty70
83 Posts
That is the main reason why I do not sign in anymore. Bye all nurses.