What is it with co-workers who constantly chat and basically think out loud, with a constant stream of words coming out of their mouths in a tight, crowded nursing station with others all around them who are diligently and seriously trying to get their own work done?
I mean, I sit there just trying to THINK -- and the nurses all around me just walk around YAPPING out loud about what just happened with her patient, or what she still needs to get done for the shift, or what she is doing at the moment, needs to do next, etc, etc. It's like diarreah of the MOUTH of some of these people. And then there are just the socializers who never, ever stop talking about things not even related to the workday.
I feel a nursing station should be a place of "relative" quiet. Of course, it also is a place where communication has to take place - but if you are one of these folks who "thinks out loud" all day long -- please be aware and realize this could seriously be disturbing your co-workers.
How does anyone cope with this? When I tune it out, then all of a sudden, people are calling me, buzzing me, and it seems I'm not paying attention - and well, because I'm not -- I'm trying to tune out the noise!
Specializes in Med/surg, pediatrics, gi, gu,stepdown un.
I don't mind people talking about patients but when they talk and talk about themselves and their personal lives I have to draw the line. It is very annoying and not professional .
I am guilty of chatting at the nurses station, I find it helps a bad day go better by sharing with my co-workers. I think our nurses station is very noisy and maybe we should consider others more.
Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.
Let's make sure we are differentiating on this thread between talking to oneself and chit-chatting gossip at the nurses station. I mumble to myself alot, sometimes- gasp, I will even very quietly hum a tune (but I seem to only do it when irritated or frustrated.:nuke:)
Sorry if I bother anyone, truly I am, but everyone is different and I can't work in complete silence, it feels oppressive. Thinking out loud helps me process information. I keep my voice down to a mumble.
Others talking to themselves doesn't bother me in the slightest, I guess I'm blessed that I can just tune them out.
Now idle chit-chat is something different. We are all human and basically social animals, but chit-chat should be kept to a minimum and only done at appropriate times with a lower voice volume.
and i don't think i need to lighten up. i'd just like a quiet professional work environment -- what's so hard to understand about that?
have you considered nursing research (as in a lab) or medical coding...otherwise, i'd suggest learning to deal with the real world. as posted, most of us talk to overselves to keep on track and avoid errors..which "slightly" outranks your need for quiet, sorry.
Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
we also have a sub station, but it's also located in the hallway where pts, family members and just about anyone on their way to another part of the hospital will stop and bug us while we're trying to chart or do assessments, whatever. i'll be sitting there trying to do report and people will be asking me where the bathrooms are ...there is just no place to find peace.
and i don't think i need to lighten up. i'd just like a quiet professional work environment -- what's so hard to understand about that?
what sort of place is this...a floor, ltc, icu, etc? maybe if you'd switch specialties or whatnot, you'd find such an environment. or, if there is just one such person at your work, maybe she is in the wrong environment. if that is the case, have you asked her about it? it does not seem like you are the type of person to fear confrontation, although, yes, i am assuming here.
as several posters have said, everyone has a different way of learning or thinking. i do not think out loud but i know several nurses who do, and i just tune them out, which isn't difficult considering i'm an internal monologuer myself!
jess
(and i am proud of myself for not making a joke about your username and desire for quiet. well, that i waited until now to make said joke).
Sometimes it gets so loud at our nursing station that our nurse manager comes out to count the people standing around. We usually take the hint and either leave if necessary or quiet down.
Honestly, we've had patient complaints about just how very loud it can get. Forget annoying your fellow nurses if you must, but how about the sick people you're taking care of?
I hear your frustration, SoundofMusic. I need things kinda quiet to keep my thoughts together. Personally, I can get overwhelmed by loud, chaotic sounds if I'm already stressed, tired, or it doesn't seem to stop (eg a busy mall can be a nightmare if I'm not in the right mood). Clearly, though, there are those who don't feel the same. In fact, there are those who actually prefer to have lots of noise and distractions (I can't relate, but that's what they say and they don't seem phased by it). Many nurses specifically avoided (or left) careers that would land them in a quiet, calm environment.
In your specific case, is there anything you can change? Is there just one or two people who are particularly loud who you could talk to? Maybe you can avoid shifts with them. How do your colleagues feel about it? Are they bothered, too, or are they okay with it? If it doesn't seem changeable, is there anything you can do to make it tolerable for you? If not, as others have noted, not all nursing units are as chaotic or noisy as others. Perhaps when looking for your next job, you can visit the unit at different times to see what the environment is like throughout the day and with varied staff members.
Hope you can find some solution that works for you so that this doesn't eat at you and your relations with your colleagues.
Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
oh!
jess's post reminded me that i love to sing, also.
i am always, always singing.
that could perceivably be an offense.
the nurse who was my main preceptor is always singing. there's nothing like doing chart checks at 4 am and hearing michael jackson coming from the med cart! the thing is, she doesn't even realize she does it! it's like a stress reliever to her.
I work on a very chaotic floor. The noise level is almost always very high. You just have to learn to deal with it where I work, because it's just the nature of the beast.
There is one aide that is always yapping about this or that, not even work related a lot of the time. I don't want to be rude, but I usually just tune her out.
Ruffles 1
74 Posts
I don't mind people talking about patients but when they talk and talk about themselves and their personal lives I have to draw the line. It is very annoying and not professional .