Opinions spouted on religion and politics at nurses station

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

At report time, one of our per diem nurses once again launched into an opinionated little speech about a certain religious group. It's really ackward when people do this, and offensive. I don't like to make a scene, but if you have an issue with a religious group, a politician, a nationality, I don't want to hear it. Thank you.

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
my dear coworker: these religious proclamations, have to stop. if they don't, i will whack you with this sign. love always,...

dang.

i love these.

leslie

[bANANA]:lol2::lol2::lol2:[/bANANA]

Up Vote Up Vote ×
AntinuclearAntibody said:
OK, so is a statement like "dinosaurs became extinct millions of years ago" be harassment to one who believes the earth is 6000 years old? Or a discussion about the social or political problems in a country that may be an employee's birthplace? Taken to the limits the FCC guidelines would prevent ANY adult conversations between employees. And we used to be proud of our freedom of expression. Sure one should be professional at the workplace, but it is sad if we cant have an adult discussion on politics, mature TV shows, science, art (all that nudity!) or current affairs w/ coworkers we see 8-12 hr/day for fear of making someone uncomfortable. No wonder 35% of us cant find the United States on a map.

That's not what it means. If someone said "People who believed dinosaurs existed are idiots" is a derogatory statement. A simple, non-derogatory statement of opinion would not be. So the rules don't preclude adults having a calm discussion with differences of opinion. But when someone starts putting down others or their beliefs, then it can become harrassment.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry.
jlsRN said:
At report time, one of our per diem nurses once again launched into an opinionated little speech about a certain religious group. It's really ackward when people do this, and offensive. I don't like to make a scene, but if you have an issue with a religious group, a politician, a nationality, I don't want to hear it. Thank you.

When I was in clinical on my OB rotation I was caring for a 14 year old woman and her nurse (during shift report) was talking down about this girl (ie "she shoulda kept her legs together", "where were her parents?", "you know who's gonna be raising that kid right??" during shift report. All the other nurses as the station were defending the girl, but this nurse kept right on talking about her in such a bad way. Having been a teen mother, myself, it was SO hard to stand there and listen to this (but as a SN it wasn't my place to say anything). I just couldn't belive this nurse was spouting her personal prejudice/opinion during report. Completely unprofession, and this nurse "cared" for this patient for 8 hours!

I agree that nurses should keep the religion/politics talk to a minimum. I don't discuss my religion unless asked, and I wouldn't do it during report or at the nurses station!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is just an idea, but if someone you are friendly with is having a rant.. Can you just say then and there "Hey I see you have strong feelings about X, but I really feel this is not the time or place for this" then smile and change the subject.. sounds crazy but it really works -

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
MedSurgeNewbie said:
This is just an idea, but if someone you are friendly with is having a rant.. Can you just say then and there "Hey I see you have strong feelings about X, but I really feel this is not the time or place for this" then smile and change the subject.. sounds crazy but it really works -

I think that's the best tactic. Recently, I was at my card group, and one of the members started going off on Christianity and how it was a scam and her husband saw on the History Channel a special about Jesus etc etc etc. I just said I was not comfortable with the discussion, and that we should not discuss this during our social gatherings. It worked.

Oldiebutgoodie

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele, Acute.
[mouse]

Uh oh, I've created a monster!!!!

[/mouse]

:uhoh3::trout::uhoh3:

Happy Halloween everyone

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele, Acute.

[EVIL]ok, dod'nt work for me[/EVIL]

[mouse]

Uh oh, I've created a monster!!!!

[/mouse]

:uhoh3::trout::uhoh3:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele, Acute.
[mouse]

Uh oh, I've created a monster!!!!

[/mouse]

:uhoh3::trout::uhoh3:

[EVIL]HAPPY HALLOWEEN[/EVIL]

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.
jlsRN said:
I'm going to send this co-worker an email since this is probably the third time she's gone off on this particular religion and I find it offensive. We otherwise are on very friendly terms.

Now you've got me wondering, which religion? lol. I actually find learning about religion very interesting. A discussion is one thing, but if this co-worker is "going off" about a religious group, that's wrong.

I've been in many friendly religion discussions at work that were interesting.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.
ok, how do you like my email?

hi jane doe,

you know i really love working with you, but i have one request to make. i would appreciate it if you'd keep your negative opinions of the blankety blank church to yourself around me. it's very ackward for me since i don't want to get in an argument about denominations and some of my reasons for being in my church. it just so happens that i have some negative opinions of other blankety blank churches that i keep to myself in the interest of harmony. you've voiced your opinions previously on more than one occasion which is why i'm writing to you.

thanks, love jlsrn

how does that sound?

i would talk to her personally, sometimes i think the computer is a way to hide from people. just politely speak to her about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Kimbalou said:
Now you've got me wondering, which religion?

Has to be Islam. It's the only one I know about which people are comfortable being openly bigoted.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
AntinuclearAntibody said:
OK, so is a statement like "dinosaurs became extinct millions of years ago" be harassment to one who believes the earth is 6000 years old? Or a discussion about the social or political problems in a country that may be an employee's birthplace? Taken to the limits the FCC guidelines would prevent ANY adult conversations between employees. And we used to be proud of our freedom of expression. Sure one should be professional at the workplace, but it is sad if we cant have an adult discussion on politics, mature TV shows, science, art (all that nudity!) or current affairs w/ coworkers we see 8-12 hr/day for fear of making someone uncomfortable.

The 'slippery slope' argument doesn't fly. Adults should be able to discuss and debate without being insulting or creating a hostile environment.

Quote

No wonder 35% of us cant find the United States on a map.

What the heck does this have to do with the topic?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment