TMI

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Last night a couple of my coworkers were hanging out at the nurses station discussing their sex lives loudly and in detail. It was just too much information for me. (edited: for less detail) I mean really who needs/wants to know that. :icon_roll:rolleyes:

To top it off there were family members wandering about but these nurses and CNAs did not even factor that in. There were even a few residents who are with it by the station. I am so not a prude but I felt it was so classless of my coworkers to carry on as if they were in a bar. I would rather talk about poop sizes then discuss my sex life or hell anything with my coworkers.

Hello, people time and place for everything. I walked away embarrassed that family members were privy to this conversation. I was embarrassed to be a part of this "team". I wanted to tell them to shut up but was too chicken poop to do so. I won't even bother to bring it up to the DON because she has a way of minimizing concerns and turning it around to make it look as though "you" have the problem. She is waste of space and a title...but that's a new post. :devil:

So what would you have done?

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

I think I'd have to have a chat with HR. I think this constitutes sexual harrassment. Of course, it's only harrassment if you tell them you're uncomfortable with the conversation and you ask them to stop. If you didn't say anything, you gave tacit agreement to their discussion. I know, it's not right and I would have been very put off by this whole conversation. You do need to talk to your DON, but I'd also get some advisement from HR. I think they would be very interested in what's going on up there.

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it was in your place to tell them to knock it off, to take the conversation to another place. Then if it doesn't stop, you report it to HR.

And you certainly didn't seem to mind repeating it all to us!

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Why not just tell them it's inappropriate and residents/visitors can hear them? Seems a simple solution that could work. Before I report them I would give them the opportunity to correct it. If they continue then take the next step.

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Specializes in ER, SANE, Home Health, Forensic.

I think running to HR is a little rash. If you felt that strongly about the conversation you should have voiced your concerns then and there IMHO.

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You're right. Like I mentioned, I was too chicken to tell them to knock it off.

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Specializes in Hospice, home health, LTC.

I would have butted in and asked them nicely to please take the conversation off-line, so to speak. Next time you will have the courage!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

I can't handle being around people like that. I had a promiscuous gf once who turned EVERY conversation into sex, or what she'd done in the past with this or that ex-boyfriend. I don't see her now, cos she started sending me very sexual emails as well, I told her to quit & she didn't so I blocked her. I also have a cousin like this who I don't see anymore.

I probly would have said casually hey peoples, time and place for everything, and tried to change the subject, or at least got up and closed the door so others can't hear. Some people have no awareness of inappropriate subjects, or that others may be embarrassed - they just don't care I think. Keep changing the subject. I don't really know how else u can control everyone else's behaviour - maybe don't have a break with them (unless that's the only break room with heating meals up facilities).

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

It is difficult to confront people at times. I hear things that are not appropriate by very loud people. When I do, I will go by and whisper 'family members'....in close proximity. They seem to get the point.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Not that these discussions are appropriate, but I'm sure they go on EVERYWHERE.

Our profession is not immune, unfortunately.

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I would've given them a funny look and just said TMI! They would've received the hint! Hopefully...

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Ugh!

You reminded me of the time all the aides were discussing... of all things... their periods, as loud as they could, right in the middle of the dining room while the residents were eating.

I was embarrassed for them.

Fortunately, the charge nurse told them off.

I don't know what the heck gets into people!

Just last month, I was less than thrilled to listen to the unit secretary and a couple of nurses discussing how they like to groom their very private place.

Good golly. We were right out in the middle of a very busy ICU.

No way I was going to say anything... I was just a student and guest.

I just scooped up my stuff and shuffled off far far away.

Sadly, I was scarred for the rest of my rotation.

Every time I saw the secretary, I couldn't shake the memory of her preference for the "landing strip".

:uhoh21:

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