Question how much do you love this site?

Hi everyone:
I seem to get on this website at least once a day. Okay its really more than that. I really like reading about and talking to other nurses and seeing what they have going on. I found my first job opportunity as a new nurse off this website, and I am so thankful for that.

So here's my question are there any nurses out there with paid memberships? Is it worth it. Today was the first day the I realized that it was even an option. I am wondering if its worth making the leap. Are there any members that have been here for a while? Like right now I have all the time in the world to read posts up here and interact because I'm unemployed. I am wondering once I find work will there be any time or engery left to catch up with what is going on in the world on nursing.

So any advice or opinions. I really love this site. But then again I am a new Rn. So I am pretty much in love with a lot of things that have to do with nursing. Shoot I had an engraved, very cute mind you, stethoscope before I even took the exit exam at my nursing school. So what I'm trying to gather is it just a new nurse phase. Or are their seasonsed nurses that still come here regularly after the newness of being a nurse has worn off.

Thanks for the responses!
I live on the other side of the planet from you, and I find it fascinating to read about nurses' experiences in different countries. I am not a paid member as yet, but I intend "officially" joining as soon as my next increase comes through! Sadly for me, the currency exchange rate between US$ and my country's monopoly money is a bit steep, so I've been waiting for those few extra cents to trickle into my pocket. Yes, I think it's worth it. There are nurses on this site who are my age (mid 50s) and older.As for seasoning, I can get a bit peppery when annoyed, and my language can be a bit salty...(though I restrain myself on this forum, don't want to cause unnecessary offense!)

I absolutely love this website. I have learned stuff here that I couldn't understand in school,seriously. It is free education for me. The members here are full of positive things to say, even when you are struggling at work,school,etc their posts give you hope. There are some people that have nothing good to say but hope to spread their negative energy.

Quote from healthstarI absolutely love this website. I have learned stuff here that I couldn't understand in school,seriously. It is free education for me. The members here are full of positive things to say, even when you are struggling at work,school,etc their posts give you hope. There are some people that have nothing good to say but hope to spread their negative energy.

I joined this site in February 2005, back when I was a student in an LPN/LVN program. Since that time, the site has grown and I've grown with it. This website has expanded while I earned my LVN license in 2006 and RN license in 2010. I purchased a paid premium membership in December 2005 and it was worth every single penny. Since I am now a moderator, I receive the perks of a premium membership in exchange for moderating certain forums. However, if I wasn't moderating, I'd purchase a paid membership in a heartbeat.

I joined this website 10 years ago, and I've never paid for a membership. I don't think it is necessary to pay money to participate. Free works just fine. Have a great day!

Its something else too read that passes time during the day. I enjoy reading this site. Its nice to hear different perspectives about what other nurses go through. I work in the ER and its nice to hear nurses who work in other areas of nursing.

more then chocolate

I just joined a couple months ago. I do not have a paid membership but I do enjoy reading the posts. I have even found myself saying at work "I was just reading about this in a post" It is very informative and makes me chuckle daily!

i have belonged to allnurses off and on since it began. i originally heard about the site while i was on the (shudder) aol nursing message boards. (now those were wild days! lol). i enjoyed the message board tremendously back then. the allnursing site was brand new and i wanted to wait and see what changes would occur, or if it would even last. i was also just learning how to use a computer period back then!i joined after a few years, around 2003 i think, and learned a great deal and made many friends, some of which i have had the pleasure of actually meeting face to face. when i relocated and returned to school for another degree i just stayed too busy to have any real "me" time and let my membership lapse.in the past year i have resumed "lurking" to see what allnurses was like now. the site has grown tremendously (!!!!yay!!!!) and there are quite a few non-nursing positions represented. i felt like i was ready to make a commitment and give back to allnurses and some positive contributions again and so i have again sent my membership fee in..( by snail mail like i did before. i just do not trust paypal.) i changed from working the medical floor into another nursing field altogether in the hospital so i chose a different username. personally i feel that joining allnurses gives me an internal feeling of commitment that is hard to explain; especially when you have watched the site and your own career grow up so to speak.

I love it so much that I never log out!!!

Me too! It's so helpful and enlightening to hear so many different nurses' perspectives. (Except for the party poopers! :-P)

I love this site so much that i wish i can have this on my phone. :-)Can anyone help me on how to reply to an inbox mail though?? I think i still can't send PM for i only have 8 posts total.