Thanks for the advice Catherine! I've never used Wordpress before but I guess I'll try it out in the future! I've heard awesome things about Wordpress too!

I've only used Blogger because I guess it's easier since I have a Gmail account and Blogger is extremely popular.

I started blogging about two years ago while I was working on my Nurse Practitioner degree. I needed a place to vent as well as a place to get away from studying. I also use ads to pay for my student loans which are CRAZY by the way. I always check my stats to see who's popped in and to get a laugh when I read what types of things Googled brings readers to my sites. I have certain bloggers I read more frequently than others but I try to pop in to say hello when I can to all on my sidebar.

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NPs Save Lives
The Nurse Practitioner's Place
http://www.arnp.blogspot.com
http://www.npplace.com

I have a two fold reason to blog.

If I blog on Nursing Voices, I generally blog about nursing things; what makes me happy, what makes me angry, and to give encouragement to other nurses going through rough times. I also like to tell little funny stories about "non-real, non Hippa" patients that other nurses probably can relate to. But there are times when I like to spill my guts about what is happening in and around our hospital and vicinity and what is happening in our profession of nursing.

If I blog on my own website, www.myownwoman.blogspot.com, I generally blog of a more personal nature and make more direct opinions; however, I do also blog about nursing and medicine on that site because it is an intrisic part of who I am. I figure, it's my blog and if I want to say stuff just to get it off my chest, I do. Blogging for me is cathartic and I want it to stay that way. There are times when I may not be politically correct, but at THAT moment at THAT time, that is the way I am feeling.

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www.MyOwnWoman.blogspot.com

I blog for my mental health. It's a great way to connect with other nurses, and share stories about the profession. It's also an excellent way to share information about how nurses can help improve the health care system.

I blog because (a)it's fun! and (b) I love to write. I started one and it snowballed and now it's a major part of my life!

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The ER is the only place where you are rewarded for efficiency by getting more patients!

Kim
http://www.emergiblog.com

I used to get paid to write and I hate, hate, hate, hate HATED it. All the while, I was throwing all my energy into my blogs. So I finally dumped the corporate writing gig and now all I do is blog. It's like running a marathon sometimes...if you don't practice (i.e. blog regularly) then you lost the knack of it. Sometimes I only post one sentence but it keeps me going. I blog because I secretly love getting comments from people I don't know...and there's nothing I love more than a controversy, although I've written NOTHING adversarial in the recent past due to all my energy being focused on pharmacology.

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www.brainscramble.org

My nursing student blog

Love the name of your blog Caroline, and looks like you have a great blog there

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Julie
http://www.lifeinthenhs.wordpress.com

Although I recently set up a blog myself, the reason I decided to read blogger's sites was because I really wanted to know what ER nurses do day-to-day. Yes I knew what the ER was, and I knew that I like pre-hospital/first response care outside the hospital, but I wanted to get a better idea of the role of the nurse in the ER, to see if this was what I wanted.

I have heard some great and not-so-great things about the ER, and what I have learned the most is that ER nurses are generally very proud of what they do. That, to me, is very important.

I like the blog because I needed to find an outlet about some of my thoughts regarding nursing school, clinical practice, and life. Although I don't' expect people to read it, I am pleasantly surprised that some people do.

~Elaine
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http://miss-elaine-ious.blogspot.com/

I am not a nurse - i am a technical consultant who provides technical support to our device follow-up nurses. As I've been learning more about social technology - i've been asking myself the question - could our nurses benefit from a blog that is focused on solving their technical question - whether that is related to the devices themselves or the applications that support those devices. I would be interested in hearing your response - what can we in the industry do to provide additional technical support to our primary customers?

I would consider blogging getting things off your chest and in the case it would be regarding nursing. How you feel about things, what is going on, any advice you may want from someone who has had the experience or may have seen it. Not everyone understands what a nurse really goes through at any job choice they may have except other nurses (for that matter anyone in the medical field). This site gives you that chance to have some connection and support from your fellow nurses (or some one in the medical field) so blog about whatever whether it is good or bad. Take Care.