What draws non-nurses to AN.com?

Nurses General Nursing

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Just saw a thread from a fairly distressed RN who fears losing her first nursing job. The very first response was from someone who stated "while I am not a nurse, I think ...."

It made me stop and think - I wonder what draws non-nurse, non-medical people here? And to give advice? I can't imagine being interested enough in an engineering forum, for example, to hang out on it, let alone offer advice in an area in which I have no experience or training.

Don't get me wrong, I have no issue with anyone posting on any forum. I just find it curious. Perhaps my worldview is too limited and I need to expand my Internet browsing beyond AN.com?:yes:

Don't think so. They described themselves as a "non-nursing outsider."

Yeah, hi, you're referring to me. I am taking classes to apply to a nursing program, and have been a CNA in the past although I am not one now. I also wasnt giving advice, I told her I'd be praying for her that it all works out. I'm pretty sure there are a ton of "Pre-nursing" students like myself on the boards. I had just wanted to make it clear I wasn't speaking as a nurse.

Sorry to invade your board.

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This.

The OP in the thread that I was referencing was very upset and looking for constructive advice/experience. The very first responder was the non-nurse who proceeded to say that he/she didn't see anything wrong with OP's actions and that she shouldn't worry.

Ummm excuse me? I said from an outsiders perspective it seemed like she did the right thing and that I'd pray it went well. Excuse me for trying to comfort someone who was upset. Why does it even matter to you? I made it clear I was not a nurse -- I never "gave advice" or said don't worry. ***** Talk about making something out of absolutely nothing.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Yeah, hi, you're referring to me. I am taking classes to apply to a nursing program, and have been a CNA in the past although I am not one now. I also wasnt giving advice, I told her I'd be praying for her that it all works out. I'm pretty sure there are a ton of "Pre-nursing" students like myself on the boards. I had just wanted to make it clear I wasn't speaking as a nurse.

Sorry to invade your board.

Welcome to AN.com! You're not invading at all. I was just wondering why someone who is self-described as "non-nursing, was interested in giving advice on a nursing forum. As I recall, you did say that from your perspective, the OP didn't do anything wrong.

Speaking only for myself, I believe that a legitimate opinion/advice on a nursing situation can only truly be given by someone who understands and has experience in the field of nursing.

But as a pre-nursing student, I hope you hang around and learn lots from your potential career field.

Welcome to AN.com! You're not invading at all. I was just wondering why someone who is self-described as "non-nursing, was interested in giving advice on a nursing forum. As I recall, you did say that from your perspective, the OP didn't do anything wrong.

Speaking only for myself, I believe that a legitimate opinion/advice on a nursing situation can only truly be given by someone who understands and has experience in the field of nursing.

But as a pre-nursing student, I hope you hang around and learn lots from your potential career field.

I do apologize for the obvious miscommunication as it was not intended and I again stress that I never gave advice. I don't have any advice to give.

I enjoy it here and will be sticking around and have learned lots already (like the post I had replied to --apparently she had done something wrong/didn't do something she should have. See? What do I know? :))

Specializes in MDS/ UR.

This is a forum open to anyone to join.

We are potentially going to get responses from anyone or everyone.

Like anything out there some discernment is going to be needed.

Usually, my preferred responder would be a fellow nurse but we a diverse board.

Why someone non-nursing would come here, I can only guess.

Specializes in Hospice.

I would totally hang out on a Channing Tatum forum but I'm no actress.

I can tell you how this non-nurse ended up here. I was scheduled for surgery and a 5 day hospital stay. I had learned everything I could about the actual surgery, but I wanted to know what would be happening to me during the 23.9 hours a day that I would be under the care of nurses instead of the doctor.

What would the nurses be "doing to me?"

How best to interact with the nurses?

How could I communicate my needs in a constructive way?

How can I make sure I receive safe care?

Why you are doing what you are other than "because the Dr ordered it."

I also learned some of your "language," so I could understand what you are saying and could speak in terms you understand.

Doctors never provide this information when they discuss your surgery with you. I don't think they even know the answers to this, so I googled "nurse careplan" and the name of my procedure among other searches and got here.

Things I have learned are:

Most nurses try their hardest to provide the best care they can.

Even the best nurse can make a mistake. (A very frightening thought for a patient.)

Most hospitals understaff their nurses.

Why some nurses seem bossy and mean and treat you like a child. (Note I said "some" not "all.")

The difference between a medical assistant, a patient care tech, an LPN, an RN, and a BSN RN.

Fortunately after reading your comments I think I'm probably one of the patients you like and definitely NOT one you hate. (After a previous surgery I wrote a letter to the CNO and copying my surgeon who was Chief of Services praising the caregivers on that floor and my caregivers in particular. I mentioned each of my caregivers by name and gave a specific example for each one where I felt that had gone "above and beyond" to make me more comfortable.)

Given that most patients spend a lot more time with their nurse than with their Dr and that most people are going to be a patient or have a loved one as a patient at some time, you shouldn't be surprised that people are curious about nurses and the care they provide.

Specializes in Going to Peds!.

Replying with "I'm not a nurse, but..." tends to irritate nurses who are seeking input from other nurses. Not former CNAs. Not pre-nursing students. Not patients.

That's not to say non-nurses aren't welcome. They just don't have the perspective that other nurses have.

If a nurse is seeking a nurse's perspective, that's her choice.

Specializes in Peds ED, Peds Stem Cell Transplant, Peds.

Because they want to come and whine about how mean the ER is, or their nurse was mean and rude because they didn't pamper their butt with the right kind of baby powder, because their nurse was actually saving a life in another room. Really sometimes I wish this could a closed forum for real medical people.

Replying with "I'm not a nurse, but..." tends to irritate nurses who are seeking input from other nurses. Not former CNAs. Not pre-nursing students. Not patients.

That's not to say non-nurses aren't welcome. They just don't have the perspective that other nurses have.

If a nurse is seeking a nurse's perspective, that's her choice.

Yes, I was blissfully unaware that the OP only wanted a nurses response and didn't want anyone else to say "I hope it turns out well". What a horrid mistake I made. From now on, I will make sure to not comfort anyone until I'm a nurse.

I find it interesting that the nurse who posted that thread didn't seem to care that I responded, it's just a select few that had an issue.

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

I wonder this all the time about a particular poster who seems to like to stir up trouble. I assume it's because they have an axe to grind. For others, perhaps it's because they're bored or interested in the profession. I've never really understood what would make them participate.

I do have to say sometimes I will answer to a thread with an opinion and start it off by saying "I'm not a nurse yet" because I'm a CNA and a nursing student and I am always careful not to seem like a nurse.....in the real world also I say that a lot. Especially at work, where all the patents call everyone "Nurse" LOL

Can we just agree to disagree? I really want no part of this, I told a poster that I hoped her circumstances turned out well and that, to an outsider, I thought she did the right thing. I see now that people had an issue with that. That's fine. There are always issues, everywhere we go and in everything we do. I am not going to see your perspective and you're not going to see mine and that's okay.

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