Funny looks...

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 10, 2002

I prefer to refrain from such heavy work-related convo's outside my job. I like the separation between work and home/friend life to be VERY VERY stong. It truly saves my sanity and prevents burnout for me. Hey it is not everyone I speak for, but that is just me....... :cool:

Rustyhammer · Jul 10, 2002

I too, try to leave work at work and home at home but I HAVE been known to chat about work outside the job.

Once we had a party here at the house with a bunch of my nurse friends and we were talking away about wounds and gangrene and maggots and having a good ole time when we suddenly realized the non nursing folk were getting grossed out.

Now we have a "no talking work" policy at any party we have.

We somehow find other things to talk about.

-Russell

Furball · Jul 10, 2002

I learned my lesson at a combo family/work get together (I know, crazy idea) Anyway, my poor sister in law had to run to the BR to hurl after a very descriptive conversation about a pt's unsuccessful suicide attempt (gun) that blew his face off. I felt terrible.

CATHYW · Jul 10, 2002

In my LPN training, one of my instructors told us that we were never to discuss a patient's condition within earshot of others (cafeteria, hall, restaurants, etc.) because someone could put 2 and 2 together, and whammo! A breach of confidentiality case!

It has never stopped me from chatting about all things medical, but I sure am careful about when and where I do it!

OrthoNutter · Jul 11, 2002

Originally posted by Rustyhammer
I too, try to leave work at work and home at home but I HAVE been known to chat about work outside the job.
Once we had a party here at the house with a bunch of my nurse friends and we were talking away about wounds and gangrene and maggots and having a good ole time when we suddenly realized the non nursing folk were getting grossed out.
Now we have a "no talking work" policy at any party we have.
We somehow find other things to talk about.
-Russell

I went 'home' to visit my mum and since I don't get back very often, she decide to throw me a BBQ with the family, a few of her friends and some of my old workmates. One of them got absolutely tanked and when we were serving up the steaks and salad and getting ready to eat, she made the comment that the salad dressing reminded her of emptying sputum cannisters. :eek:

Forget the guests being grossed out, I was the one running for the loo! :imbar She thought it was hilarious because she was considering saying it looked like sperm, but thought that might be inappropriate, not knowing about my one and only bodily fluid vice. :chuckle

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jul 11, 2002

Having a down and dirty conversation about all the stuff that happened during your bad night was totally inappropriate in a crowded waiting room. They were all probably thinking- what if it had been MY grandfather that had coded and they were *****ing about it??? And giving all the gorey details of how he died to everyone within earshot??

If I had been there I wouldn't have given you a look-it would have been lecture.

thisnurse · Jul 11, 2002

we really do have to be careful. non medical ppl listen to EVERYTHING we say. i was surprised to find that i was so interesting...lol

LasVegasRN · Jul 11, 2002

I was telling my office assistant (who is non-medical) that one of the patient's at an LTAC was "circling the drain" - she thought that was a horrible thing to say! I have to remember not everyone thinks so "colorfully" as we do.