I've thought for a long time about what I was going to say before writing this post.  First off, I am trying to set aside an emotional response, and step out of my feeling angry - and yes, I am angry - before saying my piece, so if I come across as slightly hostile, please recognize that I am trying not to come out of a place of anger here.

Another thread was posted in this forum to which another member of the group replied, and as sometimes happens, the reply was a bit off-putting to some.  Other posters questioned the person in question on it, and the resulting discussion has turned out to be a minor fury, with finger-pointing and name-calling on both sides now.  That being said, my response to the discussion was a rather light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek poke at the use of a phrase "just paramedics" - pulling out the old saw of "ambulance drivers" to parallel, and echoing the original posters' intention, I thought, that sometimes we say things without realizing that they might mean something different to those who read them.  The entire tone of my post was light, and I even said I wasn't offended.  I put a winking smiley in there as well to show that I meant things in a light-hearted fashion, and that I wasn't getting angry - but that we need to choose our words with caution.

What I get in response is: "fine, get over yourself."  "...you contribute to the culture of bullying and nurses eating their young" and best of all; that I am "ignorant and arrogant."

OK.  I haven't even sat for NCLEX yet, so as far as the young part goes, I'm more in danger of being the eatee than the eater.  I was attempting to make a point with gentle humour - obviously I missed.  I apologize.

That being said - the arrogance of lumping everyone who isn't in your field of nursing as a 'general nurse' is pretty huge.  Then to compound it by saying, "gee, well next time I'll make sure I specifically list every field by name" - sarcastic much?  And never apologizing or recognizing that you might have mis-spoken?  No, I'm really not sorry if my post struck a nerve there.

So if my observations can make somebody leave this forum, well, gee, I didn't realize I was so powerful.  And if I said anything rude, I apologize - but I really don't think that I did.  So will somebody please explain to me how I am contributing to the culture of bullying in an online forum with my posts?

And then I'll be the one who leaves quietly.

Thanks ever so much.

Tdadge: You are going to make a fantastic nurse leader. Yes; nurse leader. I say this because you are able to speak your mind and maintain your composure.

I like you, find it hard to believe that any one could be “run off” Who on this site has that power?

I never understood the paramedics remark anyway. Paramedics. It sounded as though paramedics were as low as a housekeeper.  Some require a 4 year degree to be a paramedic. Tell me how that differs from an RN? Any RN. I see no need to knock anyone’s’ profession especially since we are all in the medical field. When we begin to start the cycle that one nursing job is superior to another, we hurt ourselves.

 How often have nurses heard cracks about changing bedpans? That thinking is why it is so important for nurses as a group to stand together and educate everyone on just what is required to be a nurse and what nurses do for a living.   

 I like you am tired of the sarcasm and the arrogance. Let’s get over it and help each other.

You have a right to be angry and you have a right to speak your mind. You have done so in a calm and professional manner and I admire you for that.