I know I have a lot of readers who follow along just for my nursing blogs so I wanted to let you know where I’m at right now. I thought I owed you that.
I’ve always gotten a lot of great feedback from nurses concerning my nursing blogs and I truly appreciate it, but I’ve also gotten almost as much negative feedback. Most of the time I let it roll off my back, but when other nursing professionals cut at me with their emails and comments it’s just hardly worth it. Sure, I started writing about nursing topics for me, to get my feelings off my chest, but I continued much of the time due to so many nurses responding so favorably.
Too much negative feedback lately has made it hardly worth it for me. I’m sorry; I’m just far too sensitive of a soul to read hate mail from strangers. I just wrote a nursing post, and the entire time I kept thinking “well how will that be perceived?” I just can’t do that. It hampers my writing, and instead of writing my feelings like a good writer does, I’m writing with everyone else’s feelings in mind. That’s good to an extent, but I think I’m going overboard and I just can’t for now.
If I’ve discovered anything in the field of nursing it’s that we nurses are our own worse enemy, and if we can’t support one another we’ll never get anywhere in the struggles we face.
I don’t know if I will write about nursing in the future, but for now I am putting that topic on a shelf. I’ve gotten a bad taste in my mouth time and time again. I have to take a break from it. I hope you understand. This doesn’t mean I’m weak or that I’m letting others dictate my actions. It’s just a form of self preservation. If something drains you too much you step back. I’ll continue to blog, but on my other topics such as marriage, parenting, and Christianity.
Patricia Stevens says
Oh Brie, I am so very sorry to read this but do completely understand. People can be so hurtful. I have been blessed more times than I can count by your blog in the short time I’ve been a nurse (February of last year). I will miss your posts but as a fellow Christian I will be eager to read whatever you are sharing.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much for understanding.
Peter M Abraham says
Hugs. Sorry been getting a lot of negative feedback. I appreciate what you have shared to date. May you always have better days in your journey ahead.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Betsy L RN says
I hate to read this but totally get it! I was one of those nurses that experienced being eaten little bit by little bit each day at work in the hospital setting. As I got older in my career of choice AND calling I realized it wasn’t me it was them! You are so right…nurses are our own worse enemy…nurses eat their young instead of supporting and nurturing their growth. It’s amazing to me that nurses perceived as caregivers to those we care for can be so mean to those peers around them. I definitely learned how I didn’t want to be as a nurse and have always made it a point to support others instead of knocking them down.
I want you to know that I appreciate you and thank you for sharing so much of yourself with me/us!
God’s Peace!
Betsy
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!
Michaela says
I know what you are talking about! I have never experienced so much backstabbing going on between nurses and I was always speechless to hear it going on. I always stayed away from it and supported them. I totally understand you and support your decision!! Just stay away for a while and take a deep breath. You have so many beautiful things in your life, you don’t need the negativity. May God bless you and your family.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much.
Michelle says
I am so sorry to read this as I love your nursing blog but I so so get it. I actually had a horrible experience in a hospital setting from my own peers and it was bullying and harassment and I am a seasoned nurse! It has become a profession that I am not sure I want to be a part of anymore if not for my patients. I resigned my position and found a much better one with much nicer co workers. I pray for others who are not in the same place and I hope you will not let the negativity bring you down. It’s ok to walk away!
God Bless! And thank you for your inspiring posts?
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Jane Lemaster, RN, BSN says
Well, I for one am sad to read this, sometimes though, as nurses, as Christians, you are correct, we need to step back and review. I will pray for you and those who have hurt you, perhaps the Lord has a new direction in this for you, I will pray about that too. May God in His Grace continue to lead, guide and direct you, you are a great inspiration to those of us fortunate enough to read your blog. God’s blessings to you and yours!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so very much. I’ve always appreciated your comments and encouragement. Now I gladly appreciate your prayers.
Sabrina Whitfield says
That’s a bummer I’ve really enjoyed all ur posts about nursing especially since I work intensive care as well, and often ur feelings match mine. So sorry to hear u have received negative feedback. In the meantime I will continue reading ur posts, God bless! ❤️❤️
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Pat Flannery, LPN says
Brie-
Your nursing posts first attracted me to your writing and they remain the reason I have followed you so closely. I’m saddened by the prospect that you may not return to posting about your life as a nurse. I do understand, though, that when your posts stop being an outlet for your thoughts and feelings about the job it’s pointless to keep posting. It is we, your friends in nursing, who lose when a few hard-hearted readers ruin it for the rest of us! Please post whatever makes you happy and know that you have many readers who support you!
God bless.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you very much.
Lindsey Klunder says
Brie, I am so sad to hear this…and even more sad that anyone would say mean thing to you or about your writing…I have followed all of your posts, but the nursing ones are the posts that reeled me in, and I have since shared your blog with several other nursing friends. I am also an Icu nurse, for 11 years, and in my late thirties…most of your posts felt like you were reading my mind. Just want you to know that you made me smile on some rough days and reminded me once again why we keep going back for another 12 hour shift. I will continue to follow your other posts, but understand why you have to set the nursing ones aside for now. I wish people weren’t so hurtful;( Thank you for all of your past writing and for the posts to come:)
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much!
Lori Martin says
Brie, your blog was a tool God used in my life last fall when I had my first panic attack due to exhaustion as a Med/Surg nurse. Thanks for that.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much for sharing. Bless you.
Stacie says
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about the negative feedback. I completely understand. I too hope we as a profession can learn to support each other rather than tear each other down. I just started reading the work of Brene Bown and her work on shame and vulnerability. I think her work has much to offer our profession.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks. I’ll check that out.
Our lives-His Purposes, Ruthie's impressions says
this hurst my heart for you. As a nurse, I’ve always enjoyed your nursing post and have sent it to other nurses, especially younger, new nurses, because you always seem to express the feelings, good and not so good, that most other nurses feel and might not want to admit. I had no idea that you were receiving the negative stuff. As an old RN I apologize to you for these hurtful words. Love you and will still read every post, because your blog does bless so many mothers, Christians, and yes, even nurses!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much.
Dorita Blair says
I’m so sorry to hear that you won’t be writing about nursing but would love to read whatever you write! I have enjoyed reading everything you write!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much.
Margot S Partin says
Sad to hear but completely understand. Will still be reading your blog. As an ICU nurse I found your thoughts to be very accurate, Thanks for sharing.it amazes me that a field based on caring for others has so many people who can be so mean. No nurse is the same and we are still learning everyday no matter how long you’ve been doing it.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Kathy Nolan says
So sorry to hear your decision. It is sad how disrespectful people can be to feeling from the heart. I am a newly retired RN and I was always amazed how myopic many people were when tthey were ill or had a family member ill. Communication and compassion flew out the window. We need to learn from each other not tear each other down. Keep doing a good job as a nurse because I want you to take care of me if I need it!!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much.
Marsha Vick says
I have enjoyed your posts so very much. I work at the smell facility that you do (2 South here). I will miss your nursing posts but will continue to follow you and support you no matter what. I will also continue to pray for peace and understanding for all nurses. God be with you always.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Mischa A. says
It is so sad that nurses, who are supposed to care for people, can’t even care for each other. Nursing is a calling. We would do well to remember that. We should encourage each other. We are our own worst enemies. My prayer is that we, as nurses, could remember that we are all on the same team. We should learn to look at things from other perspectives. We should all remember that there are plenty of people against us. We need to stick together!