Everything Nurses >> Venting Zone >> Open letter to Nursing Link
Open letter to Nursing Link
135 posts back to top |
Posted over 4 years ago To all my friends and colleagues on NursingLink: Over the past several months, I have become increasingly more disturbed by the tone of these forums. The bitterness and divisiveness that have been hallmarks of this election have spilled over into what used to be an enjoyable professional networking site. Not only the political forums have taken this tone, but it seems the general forums are not immune. I have tried to post reasoned, cogent, and balanced posts in the interest of fairness, and been attacked for it – to the point where for the last two months or so I have been reluctant to post anything at all. I finally realized that far from getting any enjoyment or worth from my experience at Nursing Link, I have become more stressed and frustrated each time I’ve logged in. While I am no five-star member, I do believe that I have made contributions here, and been an active participant – from the time I was a student on. However, I can no longer continue to be a part of something that causes me more stress. I had hoped that the end of the election would tone down the bitterness and negativity – unfortunately I was wrong. It is shameful that adult professionals must resort to name-calling, put-downs of each other, and attacks on each other’s beliefs – instead of a reasoned (if passionate) discussion of the issues. But the polarization has become personalization – and I refuse to participate. To see people I consider friends calling each other “evil”, “racist”, “hate-monger” and the like – to see one person’s faith mocked with sarcasm and derision from another solely because they are on different ends of the political spectrum – it is nauseating. Nursing as a profession cannot be taken seriously when nurses associate themselves with such behavior – and if we think that we’re not representing the profession when we make these comments – we’re deluding ourselves. The infighting, the backbiting, the bullying, school yard name-calling – it is the very reason we are still not taken seriously by many in the professional world. While the general public sees us as trustworthy, ethical, and caring – we erode even that image with behavior like I’ve seen here. I cannot, and will not be a part of that. We should always seek to edify each other, not to tear down. We should recognize our differences, and agree to disagree as adults and as professionals. If we fail to do that – we fail nursing as a profession. We do ourselves, our patients, and those who would follow after us a grave disservice. Our very diversity as people is our strength as a profession – because we come from all walks and hold all manner of opinions and beliefs, we are able to minister to our patients/clients who also come from a diversity of backgrounds, beliefs, and opinions. When we put away tolerance, open-mindedness, and decency – when we fail to use that “unconditional positive regard” – and when we show that ugly face to the public – we injure our ability to be the very thing that brings us together. John McCain, in his concession speech, issued a call and a challenge to set aside bitterness and move to unity. President-elect Obama picked up the theme and echoed it. Should we as a profession, as nurses, do any less? Ted "The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand |
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| Posted over 4 years ago thank you i hope everyone get the picture....and hope for change |
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| Posted over 4 years ago ted: you really said a great deal here and many are in full agreement with you. There are some very mean and nasty folks on here. It has not been fun here for a very long time and we have all been sucked into the negative hole. |
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| Posted over 4 years ago I can't believe it's really like this on nursing link. we need to grow up already. Voice your opinion andmove on. |
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| Posted over 4 years ago I agree with all who have posted so far. I am new to the site and at first thought I had found a place for professionals to share knowledge, offer advice, post articles. etc. Unfortunately, the political forum was just plain nasty and mean spirited. How can we expect to be treated with respect by physicians, families, patients... when we treat each other this way? This really feeds into the stereotype that a group of women can only be catty towards one another. Ok...rant over! And, I am glad the election is as well! |
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| Posted over 4 years ago My two cents: I stayed out of the whole mess on purpose, due to the catty, child-like behavior that was demonstrated. What must people new to the site think of us? Or students considering nursing? It is apparant from the posts so far...they are not impressed. TDage said it best (direct quote from his original post), "We should always seek to edify each other, not to tear down. We should recognize our differences, and agree to disagree as adults and as professionals. If we fail to do that – we fail nursing as a profession. We do ourselves, our patients, and those who would follow after us a grave disservice. Our very diversity as people is our strength as a profession – because we come from all walks and hold all manner of opinions and beliefs, we are able to minister to our patients/clients who also come from a diversity of backgrounds, beliefs, and opinions. When we put away tolerance, open-mindedness, and decency – when we fail to use that “unconditional positive regard” – and when we show that ugly face to the public – we injure our ability to be the very thing that brings us together." |
