Interview with the Labor Nurse

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I ran into Labor Nurse when she submitted an essay for our scholarship contest over at Nursing Jobs.org. Her essay definitely stood out, and I spent some time reading her blog. Very, very entertaining, so I asked her if I could interview her for Ask Shane. She kindly agreed, and I think there’s a little something for everyone in our conversation; we covered quite a bit of ground. I hope you enjoy it!

When did you start blogging?

My first blog started last summer. The Labor Nurse blog started last September.

What was your first blog?

It was (is) a very neglected knitting blog. And I am not divulging the name as it will give away who I am. I am much less anonymous on the knitting blog.

That reminds me: why do you blog anonymously?

Because of the nature of what I write. Even with altering and changing stories around, HIPAA laws are pervasive. I’d hate to get into a messy situation and prove that I am not writing about a particular person.

So do people at work know you blog?

NO!!!

How about your family? I remember reading Disappearing John talking about the fact that even his family didn’t know.

My close family reads it. But my best friend (also a nurse) and others don’t know about it.

Does it frustrate you sometimes not being able to tell other people you know?

No, but sometimes I wish that I could tell people I know, “You have to read this post I just wrote!” because I think it may be a good one.

I know that feeling. At least your closest family knows.

Why did you start blogging?

It is a great way to write and actually have people read it. The odds of being published in a traditional sense regardless of writing ability or story line are nil. But the technical reason I started blogging was because I was reading a lot of knitting blogs and thought I could do a lot better than that. I’m funny! My knitting adventures are crazy!

I’m not sure that I believe in crazy knitting adventures. Seems too far-fetched

To most, yes. Until you come across my knitting and crazy ideas. I have non-knitting readers on that blog who read it for the humor.

See, now you’re going to make me have to do some undercover work and try to find the crazy knitting site.

Ok. I might give you some hints “off air.”

My lips are sealed.

What’s the most enjoyable part of blogging to you?

The interaction with readers. I love to read/hear what they have to say about my own thoughts. My favorites are more opposing views or comments.

Wow, I hear you. Nothing’s worse for me than blogging in a vacuum — wondering if people agree, disagree or just don’t care.

What do you like the least?

I’m not sure. I’ve enjoyed everything so far. I guess what I like the least is some of the negative flak towards nurse bloggers, but nothing specific about my own blog.

What kind of negative flak?

You’re going to regret asking that question!!

Specifically, the lack of respect from other health professionals, particularly MD’s. Many believe that nurses should keep to their place; many think we are stupid monkeys. And there seems to be a large movement against advanced practice nursing. Which, unfortunately, is fueled by the AMA.

There was one “doctor” who wrote a post just about me. Called me a bulldog with an army of like-minded nursing clowns. Or something like that.

I saved it because I thought it was great! My husband loved it too, because this doctor blogger hit the nail on the head about my personality in some regards. But the joke was on him, given that I would take those things as a compliment.

This doctor’s site fueled so much anger and outrage that it has since been taken down. I think it impacted his professional life. I am glad that he was exposed (he was “anonymous”, too) because it was scary to think such a person is out there caring for people

Or shall I say “treating.”

But he was thinking the same about me, I’m sure.

On that note, your site includes a disclaimer (If you are faint at heart, easily offended, and have no sense of humor then this blog is not for you. Otherwise, stick around and enjoy!). Your edginess isn’t an intentional “gimmick,” is it? It’s just your personality showing through.

Definitely not a gimmick. I am very much like that in real person. Although in real life I have to watch it. My mouth can get me in trouble.

I think that may be one big thing that bloggers don’t understand. So often, people read a blog because of the blogger’s personality. If you’re trying to hold that back, you may be doing yourself a real disservice.

I agree. I’ve read many blogs that are hilarious just because of their writing style, not because I am into the subject.

And I’ve read many more that are mind-numbingly dry because they have no personality at all. Gotta liven it up.

Without faking it, of course. People can tell if you’re faking it.

I do aim to make sure my personality comes through, though. I think if I show who I am, what my true thoughts and feeling are, etc, then it will be more enjoyable and (hopefully) funny.

Oh, it’s definitely funny. I love it.

Thanks. I will say that I am humbled by the amount of positive feedback I’ve received. I knew that my writing is funny, and that I have a sarcastic biting way about me, but I started the blog not knowing if people were going to get it.

Who are your favorite bloggers?

I think the funniest blogger by far that I have read is Melinda from Anything Said.

That’s a new one for me. I’ll have to check it out!

I’m jealous of her writing style. She’s excellent.

So what keeps you reading my blog? You don’t fit my typical readership.

Hey, who’s asking the questions here?

LOL! Did you think I was just going to answer questions? Ha!

Just kidding. I do a lot with nursing, and yours really stands out among all the nursing blogs I read. You don’t see many as irreverent as yours

Was it my testicles essay?? Now how many scholarship essays can fit testicles in and have it make sense? ha! ha!

I’m sure that was a contributing factor

I was quite proud of that.

Do you subscribe to RSS feeds, or do you actually visit your favorite blogs regularly?

I visit the blogs. I am so not savvy with that sort of stuff. Although, given I’ve figured out the IM easily, I am sure I could sign up to that stuff too.

Besides, I like to see the whole front page, what other things they have up. I’ve been thinking of a face-lift for the blog and so I like to see what others are doing and what is easy on the eye.

Good point. I gotta put in another plug for Google Reader, though. It makes it so easy to subscribe to lots of blogs and read them all in one place. I usually end up visiting the good ones anyway, and it allows me to follow many more without missing anything.

I have over 50 subscriptions right now, and there’s no way I could keep up with all those without a feed reader.

That makes sense. I have visited Bloglines and Technorati.

LOTS of people use Bloglines; it’s a good one, too.

When you said you do a lot with nursing, do you mean with blogs, or with nursing in the real world?

I own Nursing Jobs.org, as well as running Nursing Voices and helping several nurses (May, Kim, Mother Jones, Beth) manage their blogs. I have no nursing experience whatsoever, but have become a HUGE fan of nurses having experienced the normal trials and travails that kids go through — births, hospitals stays, broken arms, etc. A good nurse makes all the difference in the world. It’s nice to be able to give something back to them.

I’m so glad you have seen the value of nursing! Good answer!

Kim has me well trained

I bet she does. Nurses have that tendency.

How do you like using Blogger?

I like blogger but I am starting to feel a little restricted. I’ve been thinking of buying a domain name/space but am very afraid. Blogger is great for novice bloggers, and a great way to begin. But I am finding that I need a little more creativity with design

What makes you afraid of moving?

HTML

Having to do your own template? And make any necessary changes?

Right. All it takes is one wrong character and you’ve f*’ed the whole thing up!

My brother gave me some HTML website program to work with, which he claims is easy, but I have yet to figure it out. He runs several websites and knows what he is doing, so I guess the program is kid’s stuff to him.

Yeah, it’s easy if you know what you’re doing

Exactly, and given that I have to learn a lot of other things I don’t really have the time or energy to learn HTML, etc. School keeps me plenty busy.

Blogger’s not any easier than WordPress, though, from an HTML standpoint. Just ask Mama Mia and John about me having to fix HTML problems for them.

Well, Blogger’s newest version takes away the HTML template. So I haven’t switched to it because I like the HTML template, believe it or not.

Ha! There’s a lot to be said for the evil you know. If the HTML is all that’s worrying you, though, you’re in good shape. Let’s talk offline about maybe moving you over and doing a case study about it along the way.

OK. I have another idea for offiline talk too. I’m full of ideas, BTW.

Maybe a little full of myself. LOL

Good bloggers always are On both counts, usually.

You gotta believe you have something to say, though, so that’s understandable.

My husband has called himself an egomaniac with an inferiority complex. I’ve been thinking about how this could be applied to me, however! Which may play into what motivates bloggers.

HAAAAAAAAAAA

We are full of ourselves but want to get reassurance from everyone else. I think some might be offended by that, but I really think it is true.

You know, like that quote: “You like me! You really like me!”

Exactly. I think you’re so right.

I wonder how many would agree.

Let’s wrap this up with just a couple more questions. What goals do you have for your blog?

I have lofty goals… I am looking forward to adding more of my nurse midwifery and nurse practitioner schooling adventures, and also chronicling my personal experiences with pregnancy, etc. when that day comes. Which is not any time soon.

I would love to collect my posts and somehow organize it for publication, but that’s a ways off. I need more writing!

So you really love to write?

It was what I wanted to do before nursing fell at my feet.

I’d also like to add more nurse advocacy to the site.

Very, very cool. That’s why I’m such a huge blogging fan. It makes it easy for anyone to just jump in and start writing.

Exactly.

Last question: What’s one tip that you’d give to someone who has just started to blog?

Be creative and don’t be afraid of pissing someone off with what you write.

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