Co-workers who think out loud at the nursing station

Nurses General Nursing

Published

What is it with co-workers who constantly chat and basically think out loud, with a constant stream of words coming out of their mouths in a tight, crowded nursing station with others all around them who are diligently and seriously trying to get their own work done?

I mean, I sit there just trying to THINK -- and the nurses all around me just walk around YAPPING out loud about what just happened with her patient, or what she still needs to get done for the shift, or what she is doing at the moment, needs to do next, etc, etc. It's like diarreah of the MOUTH of some of these people. And then there are just the socializers who never, ever stop talking about things not even related to the workday.

I feel a nursing station should be a place of "relative" quiet. Of course, it also is a place where communication has to take place - but if you are one of these folks who "thinks out loud" all day long -- please be aware and realize this could seriously be disturbing your co-workers.

How does anyone cope with this? When I tune it out, then all of a sudden, people are calling me, buzzing me, and it seems I'm not paying attention - and well, because I'm not -- I'm trying to tune out the noise! :uhoh3:

0 Votes

Some people (I am not saying all of them of course but some) that is how they think better, out loud.

0 Votes
Specializes in NICU.

HAHAHA.. I'm sorry but I sooo talk to myself. Mainly when i'm in the med room drawing up meds.... I really do it unconsciously.. My coworkers all talk to themselves too.. We all think it is funny.

It is because we have so much to remember and we are constantly multi-tasking and reprioritizing... Sorry... I'm sorry for everyone who does it.. Haha

Tiger

0 Votes

I guess some folks are just more auditory learners

0 Votes
Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I'm one of those...and I do it in patient rooms once in a while....just helps to keep things streight and makes us aware of what we have left to do...if anyone calls me on it, I usually just confess and say "well, you know what I should be doing while I'm in here then....feel free to remind me if I don't do something..."

LOL

0 Votes
Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i talk to myself t work alot ad s do alot of my co workers.. i listen to us and think it's funny .. even the some of the doc's think out loud.

0 Votes

Maybe you should lighten up....

0 Votes
Specializes in Medicare Certified Home Health.

SoundofMusic, I agree this Chatty Cathy type environment is mentally both irritating and rude. I was sorry to see Tiger's response to be so uncaring and unprofessional to a colleague. She seems to think it is just funny. All the chatting may not be so funny if it leads to interfering with another nurse's concentration and a serious mistake! Hang in there maybe those around you will mature into their calling as a nurse!:chuckle

0 Votes
SoundofMusic, I agree this Chatty Cathy type environment is mentally both irritating and rude. I was sorry to see Tiger's response to be so uncaring and unprofessional to a colleague. She seems to think it is just funny. All the chatting may not be so funny if it leads to interfering with another nurse's concentration and a serious mistake! Hang in there maybe those around you will mature into their calling as a nurse!:chuckle

But it may stop her making a mistake herself. I talk outloud to keep things straight in my head, it is helpful for me and makes sure everything is right.

0 Votes
Specializes in NICU.
SoundofMusic, I agree this Chatty Cathy type environment is mentally both irritating and rude. I was sorry to see Tiger's response to be so uncaring and unprofessional to a colleague. She seems to think it is just funny. All the chatting may not be so funny if it leads to interfering with another nurse's concentration and a serious mistake! Hang in there maybe those around you will mature into their calling as a nurse!:chuckle

Well I wasn't laughing at her I was laughing at myself. I thought it was funny because she was describing me perfectly. And I was apologizing for myself and for everyone who does in unconsciously? I don't think that makes me immature?

:uhoh3:

0 Votes
Well I wasn't laughing at her I was laughing at myself. I thought it was funny because she was describing me perfectly. And I was apologizing for myself and for everyone who does in unconsciously? I don't think that makes me immature?

:uhoh3:

I didn't misinterpret your first response.

I don't talk to myself but I have one coworker who does it a lot. I never know whether to answer her or not when she asks questions. I'm someone who used to require complete silence in order to concentrate but then I went to college and then I went to work on a very busy floor. I got used to classmates talking and ringing phones, call lights, IV's beeping, etc.

0 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

Tiger of course it does not. I think that in order to be a nurse you have to be just a little crazy yourself, and if talking to yourself helps keep you sane then by all means do it. If you want a quiet nurses station most units (at least where I work) have a sub nurses station where its quite peaceful.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment