Talky Nurse

[HappyWife77]

Why does working with a talky Nurse wear me out? I am sure some patients enjoy the conversation, but I find quietness acceptable. Why does the talky Nurse have to fill every second with non stop chatter? Is there no self control?

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

I am working with one who has yet to do her own chart checks because I do them for her, who takes smoke breaks every two hours and asks me at 10 and 6 to help her give her meds. I follow one who hands me lab labels for labs that were due at 4 pm and walks away during report. Both of these girls are nice enough but not really functional ICU nurses due to their psychiatric illnesses. I guess I am a big enabler. It is really very sad to see them struggle.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Talky nurses are anxious. They are attempting to soothe their anxiety and fake out others around them that they are NOT anxious.

[canigraduate]

I have a few of those in my current assignment. When I can, I tune them out and do the smile and nod routine. If I'm having a particularly distractible day, I just politely say I'm busy and have to run, then hide and chart where it's quiet.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

"Why bless your heart, you are just too funny!! Thanks for sharing that with me, but I HAVE to get this charting done or my butt will be on a plate. But hee, hee, ha, ha....thanks for making me smile!!" And excuse yourself to go chart.

"You know I appreciate you confiding in me. But I have to chart now. Have you ever heard of "All Nurses"? It is a website that you might enjoy--look it up! They have a phone app too!" (

And if you have to interrupt, do it--and excuse yourself.......

[OnlinePersona, LPN]

i'll just tell them to shut up.

i ain't never scared

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

i'll just tell them to shut up.

i ain't never scared

If it was only this easy....haha.

Sometimes I am trying to interview a patient and she'll interrupt to tell stories about her idiotic boyfriend or other dysfunctional family members....me and the patient sit there looking at each other, me- hoping she'll end it quickly....but more often than not, I have to interrupt and start talking to the patient and ignore her hoping she'll get the hint.

Sometimes when it's just me and her when I've tried to say something she doesn't know how to listen that we'll either. But yes I try to always be kind and compassionate allow Grace for everyone, for not one of us perfect. Including me.

[firstinfamily, RN]

Gee, I'm the quiet introvert type and I get the feeling that my co-workers think because of that I am weird!!! I just don't need to hear myself talk all the time!! And, for me to focus on what I am doing I do not talk!!! Yes, there are co-workers who talk incessantly and I don't understand why they do this. Is it because I am suppose to be interested in what they are saying, or are they just calling out for attention?? I usually try to ignore them and go into my zone. I guess to be polite I would say the normal things like "hello", see how their day is going and then walk away. They may think you are rude, but hey, you have work to do!!

[wanderlust99]

I prefer quiet too. But if talky nurse is helpful, a team player and a nice person I won't be bothered. Try to block him/her out or find a way to chart in a quiet place if you're working together. The only thing that bothers me with fellow nurses are bad attitudes and laziness.

[newohiorn, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

If talkativeness wears you out or is draining, you may very well be an introvert. I am in introvert and too much chit chat and general noise makes me crazy. I self isolate (stole that term from one of the posters above) all the time and I don't care if my coworkers think I'm weird or antisocial. I'm not there to make friends, I'm there to work. Eventually they realize they can count on me to help when they need it and that I'm a good worker, etc. so it works okay for me.

I have even noticed if I get together with a couple of girlfriends and we talk for 2-3 hours even about things I'm very interested in, I just get worn out. It's quite distinct where the line is that I'm done. It's kind of a pain because I feel like I need to end the gathering and sign off because I just can barely respond to the conversation at a certain point.

I never apologize for being an introvert and I do what I have to do for me--such as not working 12-hour shifts because it's just too much human interaction for me.

I will say that my introversion has probably cost me in my ability to network because I'm not the overly friendly chit-chatter at work. People eventually know who I am and learn that I'm a good worker but it takes longer and that can be a negative when you need a network to change jobs or something.

And, I can't believe the talky nurse follows you into a room and interrupts your patient interview to tell stories about her family!! Insane, very unprofessional and totally unacceptable. I don't know what I would do with that situation but would probably stand there open mouthed in shock at such behavior.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Not too long ago, there was the thread started by the new grad who was sure she was being bullied because her preceptor kept resisting her attempts to draw her into a nice chat. I said then, and I still think, that inflicting endless chit chat on co-workers who aren't eagerly asking for more could be seen as bullying in and of itself.

[RNperdiem, RN]

If talky nurse has a positive attitude, is an entertaining story-teller and knows when to stop, then talky nurse can add a bit of sparkle to a dull day.

I can handle it since I am mostly a stay at home mom who is home alone most of the week, so I get enough introvert alone time.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Talky nurses are anxious. They are attempting to soothe their anxiety and fake out others around them that they are NOT anxious.

I'll agree. However, by alleviating their anxiety, they're causing mine.

I just get up and find something to do away from the charting area.