Update on Gross Out Co-Worker

Nurses General Nursing

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Last week she came into the nurses station and urinated while she told us something that was going on with a patient. We were shocked...I'm not talking a little dribble...pant leg was clinging to her leg with wetness. She left work and didn't come back the rest of the night.

When she came back the next day, we talked to her, suggesting disposable briefs (I hate using the word 'diaper' with an adult). Her response was that if she wears them, her pants won't fit because she lost so much weight she threw out her chubby pants (they are already bulging, pantyline cutting an outline). She is apologetic, but quite frank about her 'accidents', as if they are a fact of life that we all just have to deal with.

Didn't even get to approach the subject of her foul gas and B.O.

I think she must be under some kind of delusion about herself. It's simply bizarre. She seems to think that she is a little vixen, that some of our male staff has a crush on her (they say no way). She has even commented that since she 'looks so much younger than she really is, she would be willing to model for the hospital billboard. (she is 56, and looks every bit of it). Now, I am certainly not one to feel that heavy people can't model---I think it's great, in fact...but totally aside from her size, her saggy, disheveled, stinky presentation makes it unlikely that she is model material. To be fair, I am angry...angry that she is so inconsiderate, angry that she is not taking gentle cues, and frustrated at her---so I may be being more harsh than necessary.

But I doubt it.

Specializes in CT ,ICU,CCU,Tele,ED,Hospice.

this is appalling .i cannot believe someone has not stopped this .we work in healthcare .i don't know what else to say .not wearing anything with period is gross too:nono: what a no no.

Specializes in critical care transport.
Last week she came into the nurses station and urinated while she told us something that was going on with a patient. We were shocked...I'm not talking a little dribble...pant leg was clinging to her leg with wetness. She left work and didn't come back the rest of the night.

When she came back the next day, we talked to her, suggesting disposable briefs (I hate using the word 'diaper' with an adult). Her response was that if she wears them, her pants won't fit because she lost so much weight she threw out her chubby pants (they are already bulging, pantyline cutting an outline). She is apologetic, but quite frank about her 'accidents', as if they are a fact of life that we all just have to deal with.

Didn't even get to approach the subject of her foul gas and B.O.

I think she must be under some kind of delusion about herself. It's simply bizarre. She seems to think that she is a little vixen, that some of our male staff has a crush on her (they say no way). She has even commented that since she 'looks so much younger than she really is, she would be willing to model for the hospital billboard. (she is 56, and looks every bit of it). Now, I am certainly not one to feel that heavy people can't model---I think it's great, in fact...but totally aside from her size, her saggy, disheveled, stinky presentation makes it unlikely that she is model material. To be fair, I am angry...angry that she is so inconsiderate, angry that she is not taking gentle cues, and frustrated at her---so I may be being more harsh than necessary.

But I doubt it.

Then all 3 of you guys offer to buy her 3 pants so she can wear undergarments.

I would just come out and say it. If she is a nurse, then she should know that blood and urine are no-no's to touch for the obvious reasons (that why we gloves). HER fluids are no exception.

Passive aggressive? I don't know.

I seriously think she is mentally ill.

Specializes in critical care transport.
I can believe it's reall.

About 8 years ago i worked with a woman who would wind up bleeding through her pants because " i don't like the way pads feel, and i can't use tampons" quote]

Yes, clotted, crusted, underwear is much more comfortable, and far less abrasive....:eek:

FIRST time to hear about this!must be very difficult for you guys dealing with this kind of situation,what a bummer!:angryfire

Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

the smell must be awful

This makes me think maybe you could just whap her on the nose with a rolled up newspaper each time it happens..:trout: :rotfl: Just kiddin'...:chair:

HAHAHHHAAAA:rotfl:

Specializes in Geriatrics, MS, ICU.
...I'm not talking a little dribble...pant leg was clinging to her leg with wetness. Didn't even get to approach the subject of her foul gas and B.O.

EEEEEWWWWWWW!!!! YUK!!!!!!! And this person is a nurse? Regardless of her weight management needs to approach her and take care of this. That is absolutely disgusting! You poor thing! I cannot imagine having to work with someone who does not bathe...or if they do how can she not realize that this is not normal behavior. How must her patients and their families feel? Gross!!!!

I haven't read more than a handful of posts on this thread; I honestly don't think I can take more!

I have no doubt in my mind that if this co-worker was standing at the nurse's station talking to you WHILE URINATING ON HERSELF, (and this was treated by the woman as normal) then there's a serious issue of mental illness to be addressed. The personal hygiene issues you mentioned are also WAY out of line in a healthcare field, let alone with a nurse who is responsible for other people's health promotion and maintenance. How it is that her/your supervisor has not already addressed this is beyond me.

I don't know if you've discussed this with your/her supervisor (I'm sorry, haven't read all posts) but if you haven't, clearly you need to. This is an infection control issue, for crissakes! And if you have, and it's being ignored, you really, REALLY need to reconsider your employment options. I'm sorry, but that's simply too disgusting an environment. Unsanitary, repulsive.

Specializes in NA - 100 years ago.
Standing in the station peeing herself! silly.gif crazy.gif scared.gif faint.gif

OMG! Your faces! LOL! I might pee myself now!

Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
She left work and didn't come back the rest of the night.

I wonder why she couldn't be let go for abandonment? I don't always understand management. We've had some very incompetent nurses in the past who have been fired and then management turns around and arranges a job for them in a doctors office. It's not like they were trainable. They were given every chance and then some to learn but continued to make the same mistakes time and time again to the point of being very dangerous. There have been other very competent nurses fired for i.e. absenteeism and they are not help in anyway....just goodbye. It beats me.

Specializes in Nursing assistant.

Frankly, there are a number of concerns here. The incontinence and gas could be some health problems she is not addressing....and should!

But even more baffling is her response to these issues and her other behavoirs....for instance, the erotomania.....this indicates some personality problems at least. A healthcare facility has a responsibility to their clients to assure their employees are playing with a full deck! I really feel sorry for her,she needs help and apparently does not have enough self awareness to know it.

Specializes in Pedatrics, Child Protection.
this story is too much!!!! i could not imagine working with someone like that!!!:(

ps- (offtopic) i know there is a "u" in behaviour, but is there or was there ever a "d" in congradulations??? i see it spelled "congratulations" everywhere here in the usa!!!!!! whas up with that???:jester:

nope. no "d" in congratulations. only when one is too cheap to pay for the sign that should read "congratulations on your graduation". lol!! :jester:

:nurse: annjeh:wink2:

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