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:

And how would you know who is really a nurse? I can claim to be the king of Brunei, but you only have your generic trust in humanity to decide whether to believe me. Would you expect us to send in a copy of our licenses in order to gain access to the gated community?

I think a question asking for a description of the top secret nursing handshake would be sufficient.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.
I think a question asking for a description of the top secret nursing handshake would be sufficient.

I think you should have to speak Jive to qualify to post here.

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Specializes in ICU.

I think you should have to speak Jive to qualify to post here.

Hahahaha! I agree!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
And how would you know who is really a nurse? I can claim to be the king of Brunei, but you only have your generic trust in humanity to decide whether to believe me. Would you expect us to send in a copy of our licenses in order to gain access to the gated community?

Well, they've made it work on their site, so obviously it can be done. I'm friendly with a couple of the admins. and mods there; maybe I could ask them how they do it. I know on another site you have to put your license number in to sign up. That measure was also put in place to keep it restricted to their core membership. I belong to a gated community on another site, and we never get lay-persons or people who aren't involved in that topic. It's nice to go there and read from fellow professionals.

The advice from non-nurses doesn't bother me as much as the posts lambasting nurses for the care their mother/husband etc. got in the hospital; how lazy nurses are, etc. Occasionally I will reply to a student who posts about a specific issue (but no homework help!).

I understand that this is Brian's site, and that he can run it as he chooses. I'm merely stating my opinion. There's a lot of good here, and these annoyances certainly don't outweigh the benefits.

Now I'll go put on my Kevlar and flame-retardant suits. I have a feeling I'll need them.

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Personally, I think the Reader's Digest is behind a lot of the mistrust of healthcare workers. You know their "be your loved one's advocate" articles. There is being an advocate and there is being an idiot.

I really don't go to work every day with a plan to harm, kill, overdose anyone's loved one. So yes, I resent being interrogated by daughters who haven't bothered to accompany Mum/Dad to the appointment with the specialist who set up the day surgery. And yes, it's day surgery, not a three week stay. If the concerned daughter had attended one appointment she'd know exactly why we are doing what we are doing. Mum/Dad usually are more fully functioning than the family member and often are heard telling them to "leave the nurse alone, I know what she's doing".

But you know the Reader's Digest is right, you have to stand there and demand to know WHY a pre-op patient is NPO, why can't s/he wear a necklace in the OR. Oh, an my favourite "give me your bag Mum, we don't want the nurses "taking" your wallet". Hell, if they'd read the leaflet, they'd know we tell people not to bring valuables to the hospital.

This and the ever popular "What your _______________ won't tell you" bring a whole new hysteria to the table. "It said in the Readers Digest I should make my appointment first thing in the mornin so I don't gotta wait. But you aren't gonna tell me that it says. But I know, I READ!! Price is Right is on at 10, and it is my only enjoyment in life since that good for nothin daughter in law of mine won't let my son come help me with NOTHIN......" (acutal conversation, names changed to protect the innocent....but it says in Reader's Digest I won't tell you that......LOLOLOL)

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.
Well, they've made it work on their site, so obviously it can be done. I'm friendly with a couple of the admins. and mods there; maybe I could ask them how they do it. I know on another site you have to put your license number in to sign up. That measure was also put in place to keep it restricted to their core membership. I belong to a gated community on another site, and we never get lay-persons or people who aren't involved in that topic. It's nice to go there and read from fellow professionals.

The advice from non-nurses doesn't bother me as much as the posts lambasting nurses for the care their mother/husband etc. got in the hospital; how lazy nurses are, etc. Occasionally I will reply to a student who posts about a specific issue (but no homework help!).

I understand that this is Brian's site, and that he can run it as he chooses. I'm merely stating my opinion. There's a lot of good here, and these annoyances certainly don't outweigh the benefits.

Now I'll go put on my Kevlar and flame-retardant suits. I have a feeling I'll need them.

I guess that's ok if you want to give up your anonymity. As the only dude in my unit at my hospital (and one of very few in the city), it'd not be too hard to figure out who I am. As a result, I watch what I say (generally). If I had to totally give up my anonymity, I wouldn't post here...simply because I don't want to have to deeply consider every single discussion I have to make sure it doesn't jeopardize my job or career.

Also...I've been here a few years, and I can't remember reading a single thread from someone lambasting nurses over the care their mother received. Either I'm oblivious, or blind, or maybe there aren't quite as many of those posts as you'd have me believe.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I guess that's ok if you want to give up your anonymity. As the only dude in my unit at my hospital (and one of very few in the city), it'd not be too hard to figure out who I am. As a result, I watch what I say (generally). If I had to totally give up my anonymity, I wouldn't post here...simply because I don't want to have to deeply consider every single discussion I have to make sure it doesn't jeopardize my job or career.

Also...I've been here a few years, and I can't remember reading a single thread from someone lambasting nurses over the care their mother received. Either I'm oblivious, or blind, or maybe there aren't quite as many of those posts as you'd have me believe.

Actually, there are quite a few posts from disgruntled patients/family members. I'm not given to lying.

As far as the anonymity, only the admin knows your real name. The only people whose names appear are those who choose to post that way.

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Also...I've been here a few years, and I can't remember reading a single thread from someone lambasting nurses over the care their mother received. Either I'm oblivious, or blind, or maybe there aren't quite as many of those posts as you'd have me believe.

I can remember several posts complaining about care the poster or their family member received, but I'm drawn to internet drama like a moth to flame ;)

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
Also...I've been here a few years, and I can't remember reading a single thread from someone lambasting nurses over the care their mother received. Either I'm oblivious, or blind, or maybe there aren't quite as many of those posts as you'd have me believe.

Have read many, many threads that fall into this category.

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Boratz, you should hang out on the Emergency specialty board. That board seems to get a lot of disgruntled civilians.

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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:

I think this forum is very interesting and hilarious at times. I would find it entertaining even if I was not a nurse.

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Why do non-nursing come to AN, for posts like these. AN have more drama than OWN network. Now, it's time for me to grab the popcorn and soda.

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