What to do with nosey nurses ?

Nurses Relations

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Specializes in med/surg/ortho/tele.

I have a co-worker who happened to be my preceptor earlier. Our preceptorship ended and we became good friends. I respect her for being my mentor earlier but she has to know everything in my life. If I avoid her, she finds ways to ask me questions , sometimes about subjects which I do not want to discuss in break rooms. She wants to know everything from what I eat, wear, my eye shadow brand. its too much now and I feel like screaming at her" Leave me alone " but cannot say so. How to approach her.

Specializes in cardiology/oncology/MICU.
I have a co-worker who happened to be my preceptor earlier. Our preceptorship ended and we became good friends. I respect her for being my mentor earlier but she has to know everything in my life. If I avoid her, she finds ways to ask me questions , sometimes about subjects which I do not want to discuss in break rooms. She wants to know everything from what I eat, wear, my eye shadow brand. its too much now and I feel like screaming at her" Leave me alone " but cannot say so. How to approach her.

Wow! Sounds like you have left a great impresson with this nurse. Sometimes when people are kinda overboard, it does not hurt to tell them to calm down a bit. You can do this withoiut being mean, but it does not mean that she will not have her feelings hurt. We have a couple of nurses here that do not mind putting their business out there, and they talk about some pretty crazy stuff in front of whomever happens to be present. It can be disturbing at times.

If you don't want to discuss a particular topic, change it to one that you are interested in discussing.

Specializes in Orthopaedic Nursing; Geriatrics.

I like to keep my personal life separate from my professional life. When someone asks me something that doesn't pertain to work, or I feel it is intrusive, I respond with this question - "Why do you ask?" Most of the time they can't answer that question and seem to realize they are crossing a line.

Specializes in none.
I have a co-worker who happened to be my preceptor earlier. Our preceptorship ended and we became good friends. I respect her for being my mentor earlier but she has to know everything in my life. If I avoid her, she finds ways to ask me questions , sometimes about subjects which I do not want to discuss in break rooms. She wants to know everything from what I eat, wear, my eye shadow brand. its too much now and I feel like screaming at her" Leave me alone " but cannot say so. How to approach her.

Why can't you say 'Leave me alone" It's easily said. Say it and if she still is after you tell the supervisor. She has no business with your private life. Tell her. Don't be nice. She doesn't care about your feelings, why should you care about hers. I know I'm being rude and uncaring but I once had a stalker on me for three months. The whole thing started the same way. Tell her to get lost.

I like what orthonurse answered " asking why" makes a strong suggestion , what's in it for you , why do you care. asking Why puts people in the defense.

People like your coworker she is just asking personal info to one day hold it against you , or use it against you . best to be the the meany in the floor as that's what she may say that have your whole business out there.

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