coworker complained: I dared to say "butt."

Nurses General Nursing

Published

My supervisor told me about it; I was having a deadly busy day. I had just had 2 discharges and the beds weren't cold before ER called report and delivered new 2 new admits. I hadn't seen the 1st admit yet and I had to discharge a third patient, and the very second that bed goes on the board to be cleaned, ER calls with a 3d admit. I was also charge nurse and had to deal with other issues on the unit. I called the house sup who was placing these patients and asked her to back off for a minute so I could breathe, because all these admits were mine. I know what she was doing, looking at a computer monitor downstairs at empty rooms. She had no idea who was taking care of what beds. So, I spoke to her very briefly and she hung up abruptly. After a few minutes I went into my supervisor's office, and she told me, don't use any kind of slander with this house sup. Apparently I said "butt" in some fashion to her and she became offended.

Did I say I was working my butt off? I don't recall. I really don't. So my question to you all is, do you work with easily offended people? And what are they doing in nursing?

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
Did I say I was working my butt off? I don't recall. I really don't. So my question to you all is, do you work with easily offended people? And what are they doing in nursing?

:lol2:I darn near busted my gut laughing at that last question. I've often wondered the same thing myself.

I think maybe you can say "butt" to just about anyone these days, but when you're stressed and you use it in context to accepting yet another patient to your supervisor, whose job it is to place patients and keep the ER open, well, that just might not have been the most perfect timing, KWIM?

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice.

If someone complained about you saying the word "butt", then I should be unemployable because when I get stressed more than the word "butt" comes out at my supervisors. Of course, not in front of patients, but none the less, I have a potty mouth behind closed doors. When I'm sinking and noone wants to help me and my patients are being neglected my mouth is all kinds of dirty. Not very professional, but so far, very effective. I'm so glad I haven't encountered anyone like you did, because I'd be in big trouble. And by the way, heaven for bid if anyone came to help you, instead they had time to complain about you. Some people and their priorities really boggle my mind. I personal opinion is that there is way to many Chiefs and not enough Indians. If the big wigs occassionally helped out instead of barking orders, than you wouldn't of had to say the word "butt". I think I've heard it all now. Good Luck and quit using those bad words. (ha!ha!)

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Specializes in Nurse Manager, Med-Surg, Instructor.

I once said, in a home care agency, that "I didn't give a damn" about something (didn't really mean it and I took care of the problem by resolving it) and was written up and passed over for a promotion because of that. I think I could have made some trouble for the company but left and got a better job instead.

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You could have said "but I am swamped with patients here!"

Sometimes people hear us wrong.

Now, I am working my butt off is not what I would call horrible or derogatory profanity.

You are right, people get WAY too sensetive. She may have been reacting more to your frustration rather than the actual words.

Who knows.

Forget it. IF it comes up tell them the truth. You really do not recall saying that.

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I've gotten in trouble for my mouth twice.

Once I got written up for saying, "that sucks!" when an employee complained about their car breaking down on the way to work.

And once for saying, " I'll be there in a sec.. Gotta wash this crap off my hands first."

I still don't see what's wrong with it. AS far as saying "butt" ... I wouldn't have thought twice about it.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

But MOM, I only told him to butt out, not to kiss my butt! He was being a buttinski, not a butthead!

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

"But, she said I was sitting on my butt all day, when I was really working my butt off!!!!"

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

At least he wasn't the butt of all jokes.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hmm..and my super informed me last night to get off my a$$ and do something productive. (joking, btw)

Sounds like she was looking for something, anything, to complian about.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

Good Lord! I hope this person never darkens the door of an operating room!! I guess she'd fall over dead! :hhmth:

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Good Lord! I hope this person never darkens the door of an operating room!! I guess she'd fall over dead! :hhmth:

You said what I was thinking! I'm all for being professional, but sometimes, only a naughty word really sums up the situation, and helps us vent..

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