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?

Honestly, to get offended at the word "butt" especially as a nurse, holy cow. I mean, I can see if she was offended if you said something like:

"You can take these admits and shove them up your butt."

or

"I can't pull nurses out my butt--we're swamped up here and can't take any more admits until you give us more nurses."

or

"I'm going to come down there and kick your butt if you send me any more admits."

Then it would be reasonable for her to be offended. You weren't THINKING one of these things, and accidentally blurted it out, did you? (That is what would probably happen to me!)

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Specializes in ER/ICU, CCL, EP.

She'd never make it where I work.

Nuff said ;)

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Specializes in ER, Teaching, HH, CM, QC, OB, LTC.

Hey don't feel bad! I let the F- Bomb fly in a in-service!!!!!! I reported myself on that one. :(:saint::crying2::mad::bowingpur:cry:

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I teach my nursing students to avoid using the word "butt" in assessments, etc. It strikes an off note to the older generation. It's not a terrible word, but I'd rather hear the correct anatomical part.

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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?

OMG Tell her to get over it. I doubt she was even that offended she just wanted to be a jerk. And you said 'Butt', if that woman had sent me 3 admits in a row 'butt' is not the word she would have been hearing. She would have appreciated the word 'butt' when I got done. Unfortunately there are alot Nurses out there that are uptight and Phony. Just ignore them!!! Sounds like you work in hell. Hope things go better

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Specializes in School Nursing.

sometime's there is nothing else to say, accept.....

butt !! :D

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.
I teach my nursing students to avoid using the word "butt" in assessments, etc. It strikes an off note to the older generation. It's not a terrible word, but I'd rather hear the correct anatomical part.

The nurses I work with say "I've got to check their bum". Now they've got ME saying it. I'll be changing a brief and tell the patients "The nurse has to put cream on your bum".

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
I teach my nursing students to avoid using the word "butt" in assessments, etc. It strikes an off note to the older generation. It's not a terrible word, but I'd rather hear the correct anatomical part.

I usually call it their "bottom"

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Bum and bottom . . I like those words better. :D

I too think she may have been reacting to the stress in your voice. I've had those phone calls too - one nurse in tears over no help and me calling with another admit from the ER. I didn't take offense at the tears . . .but I might have if the nurse had been rude. I wouldn't do anything about it though - I just chalk it up to the stress that ALL of us feel at work.

My kids weren't/aren't allowed to say butt, suck (that means suck donkey blank, btw), fart, shut up, or call their siblings or anyone bad names.

I guess I'm from the "older" generation, where bad words were bad words.

My grandma's saying . . "Profanity is ignorance made audible".

If you get a chance, apologize to your co-worker, give her a hug and go on with your day.

steph

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

This is what I wold do:

Put on my best phony smile and act terribly concerned and regretful that I offended this person, and let my supervisor and Human Resources that I sincerely wish to apologize. Ask them to arrange and mediate a meeting between the 2 of you so that you may come to know exactly what you said that was offensive and may offer your most sincere apology.

I guarantee that no one (other than the supervisor with virgin ears) would make it thru this meeting with a straight face.

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This is what I wold do:

Put on my best phony smile and act terribly concerned and regretful that I offended this person, and let my supervisor and Human Resources that I sincerely wish to apologize. Ask them to arrange and mediate a meeting between the 2 of you so that you may come to know exactly what you said that was offensive and may offer your most sincere apology.

I guarantee that no one (other than the supervisor with virgin ears) would make it thru this meeting with a straight face.

That is a good idea. :yeah:

It is always better to clear the air and help people get over themselves using humor.

steph

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.
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.!)

i am ex-military, where there is a written regulation requiring the use of at least one four letter word per sentence. the f-word is used, in all its permutations, as a comma!:clown::jester::clown:

if "butt" was ever the worst thing that came out of my mouth in a day, my coworkers would assume that i had been taken by body-snatchers and start looking for pods!:eek:

everyone needs to stop being so "darned" sensitive and easily offended..:coollook:

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