And we were having such a nice day, too...

Published

The curse has not set in, but it is upon us.

In the nursing office (which is really a suite of offices that are not all nurses, but we get to keep the cool name ;)), our director of marketing just walked in, and remarked, "Wow, it's been such a nice, quiet day."

Instantly, from our offices, three nurses and a social worker, all said as one, "WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?" (We couldn't have coordinated like that if we tried.)

We're doomed now and we've made it clear this is his fault. It was a pleasure knowing you all.

...that silliness out of the way, what are your favorite work superstitions, whether you believe or not?

Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Bring two IV catheters to ensure a one-stick start. Bring only one and count on blowing that big juicy vein.

AYE!! RE Cath UA on an infant female...If I don't place an open urine cup in easy reach to grab and catch the urine, she'll pee when the diaper comes off or while I'm cleaning. If I have the urine cup handy...no problems.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.
When a patient tells me they have great veins and I'll have no trouble with their IV.... I know I'll blow it.

I'm the opposite; if a patient tells me they have terrible veins... that's it, I'm not

gettin' it.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

This is a personal one for me... If I don't have some

kind of coffee, coffee drink, etc, to drink in the car on

the way to work... I will have a horrible night. Doesn't

matter if there is a hot, steamin', fresh pot of it just

waiting for me when I get there (I have a coworker that

I follow who is AWESOME about making some for us!)

I HAVE to have it ON THE WAY to work.

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Specializes in Tele/Interventional/Non-Invasive Cardiology.
If you say the name of a discharged patient they will be back.

Can't say the Q word either.

OMG, I have had this happen too many times to count. And usually, they want me as his or her nurse!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

I'm really not superstitious, but I have learned to never, ever use the "Q" word for fear of being attacked by the other staff like a pack of rabid wolves.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
We are in luck for the entire month of February HAS NO FULL MOON.

(Just a minute bit of trivia I have been dying to work into normal conversation.)

WOW!! But that means March has....two???

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.

I'm going to lunch, my patients shouldn't need anything.

Ha!

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School nurse here: It doesn't matter if the radar is showing a winter storm with 10 inches of snow happening at exactly 5am; do not ever say "We're going to have a snow day tomorrow" or stay up late because you're positive school will be delayed.

The q word is still a no-no here as well!

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I worked in a smaller city, small county hospital. When ever I drove to work and was passed by an ambulance invariably it would be a slow quiet shift.

Don't get me started on wasted, wasteful, use of 911 for non emergencies.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Former ER Supv.

Never say the "Q" word

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Specializes in school/military/OR/home health.

From the OR world...don't finish your cases too quick or you WILL get someone else's work! If you go get one suture, just grab two. If you grab one you WILL drop or contaminate. All redheads wake up from anesthesia like wild animals. Actually that one may be scientifically backed, not sure...

From the wild, wonderful world of school nursing, don't say the Q-word, don't mention a FF, don't mention a crazy parent by name or they WILL walk in the door that day!

And if you wear nice new scrubs to work and actually do hair/makeup, you will get puked on. Or peed on. Or both.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.

Death always seems to come in 3s.

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