Send Something In

Anonymous peer-to-peer advice column.

Privacy & ReviewAnonymous submission is available when you do not provide your name or contact information. Some technical metadata may be processed by the website platform. Submissions are reviewed before publication or follow-up. Do not submit PHI, confidential documents, screenshots, or patient-identifying information.

Dear Nurse Next Door

Ask the question you can't ask at the nurses station.

Submit an advice question about work stress, unit conflict, contract confusion, unsafe assignments, burnout, or nursing life. Nurse Next Door answers selected questions in a future issue.

Do not include PHI, patient names, MRNs, room numbers, dates of care, screenshots, coworker names, manager names, or identifying details.

Need help? Examples & prompts

★ Dear Nurse Next Door — Guidelines

Ask the question you can't ask in report.

Dear Nurse Next Door is the column for the questions that don't fit anywhere else — workplace conflict, clinical doubt, contract questions, the messy human stuff. Nurse Next Door answers selected letters in the next issue.

✓ Do

•Open with "Dear Nurse Next Door —" and end with the actual question you want answered.
•Be specific about the situation: what happened, who's involved (by role), what you've already tried.
•Keep it to 1–4 short paragraphs. Tight letters get answered first.
•Tell us what kind of answer you want: validation, a script, a policy citation, a gut-check.

✗ Don't

•No patient identifiers (HIPAA) — names, rooms, MRNs, dates, identifying details.
•No naming the manager, coworker, or facility — use roles only ("my charge," "the night-shift lead").
•Don't send anything you'd want a legal answer to — Nurse Next Door gives nurse-to-nurse perspective, not legal advice.
•Don't use this form for emergencies — call 988 or 911 if you're unsafe.

What happens after you send

Nurse Next Door reads every letter, but only a few run each issue — we pick what'll help the most readers.
Your letter may be lightly edited for length or to further protect anonymity.
Published with your pen name (or "Anonymous Nurse"). Your real identity is never known to us.

Example prompts — one click to load

Loads the example into your draft — edit freely before sending.

Your Letter to Nurse Next Door *

Min. 20 characters · 0 words0 / 5000

Aim for 80–600 words. Editors trim long pieces — short and specific beats long and vague.

Unit / Floor (optional — published with your story)

Pen Name (optional — never your real name)

Anonymity & Safety reminders

•Anonymous submission is available when you do not provide your name or contact information. Some technical metadata may be processed by the website platform.
•Submissions are reviewed before publication or follow-up. Do not submit PHI, confidential documents, screenshots, or patient-identifying information.
•If you're in immediate danger or crisis, call 988 or 911. This form is not monitored in real time.

PHI & Privacy Checklist

0 / 5

No patient names, MRNs, or room numbers
No dates of care or pinpoint timing
No screenshots, charts, whiteboards, or confidential documents
No coworker/manager names in a negative light
I reviewed the whole submission for identifying details

I confirm I did not include PHI, patient names, MRNs, room numbers, screenshots, dates of care, or patient-identifying details. I understand editors may lightly edit my submission for length or clarity before publishing.