Cursing on the job

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Alright so maybe this is a sign of burnout but most of us (not all of us) in my ED curse (sometimes loudly) while on the job. Usually its related to frustration. We were so incredibly busy yesterday and all of us were getting our butts handed to us. The call light was binging and the usually missing clerk was not there to answer it so I stormed over, snatched up the phone, and cheerfully (fake cheerfulness of course) yelled "Hi! Can I help you!!!?!?!?!" It was a "problem" patient who had their tv on full blast so I of course couldn't hear anything they were saying so I yelled "I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE TELEVISION..." and slammed the phone down. Then I proceeded to curse. Is this normal? I feel like I have anger management problems. I'm never rude to the patient's face, but I do this passive aggressive stuff and I'm not sure that it's healthy. It's also dangerous because it only takes once to do it in front of the wrong person and you're outta there. Anyone else have issues like this???

Specializes in Pain, critical care, administration, med.
Alright so maybe this is a sign of burnout but most of us (not all of us) in my ED curse (sometimes loudly) while on the job. Usually its related to frustration. We were so incredibly busy yesterday and all of us were getting our butts handed to us. The call light was binging and the usually missing clerk was not there to answer it so I stormed over snatched up the phone, and cheerfully (fake cheerfulness of course) yelled "Hi! Can I help you!!!?!?!?!" It was a "problem" patient who had their tv on full blast so I of course couldn't hear anything they were saying so I yelled "I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE TELEVISION..." and slammed the phone down. Then I proceeded to curse. Is this normal? I feel like I have anger management problems. I'm never rude to the patient's face, but I do this passive aggressive stuff and I'm not sure that it's healthy. It's also dangerous because it only takes once to do it in front of the wrong person and you're outta there. Anyone else have issues like this???[/quote']

I don't think it has anything to do with the cursing but the way you described your response cheerful or not. So the patient had his TV on loud perhaps he is hard of hearing, or maybe something is wrong with the patient and he can't respond. Frustrated or not with the secretary take a walk down and ensure the patient is ok and then let him know that if he calls to lower the tv so you can communicate. The last point is that think about the secretary that is often the ones who answers the bell....this is her world. Answering bells is everyone's responsibility. Keep in mind our behaviors are witnessed by others and can be contagious.

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I guess it is a sign of burnout and "unprofessional" but most professions don't deal with half of this (thinking of a curse word!)!!!!. I have done it at work. Not too loudly at the desk but loud enough that 1-3 coworkers have heard. More coworkers if it is 1:1. The people I have done it in front of do too, so it makes me less paranoid when I slip in front of them. I grew up with this used as a NORMAL acceptable part of speech for the most part. It does not offend me at all, but I know some coworkers might go running to managment that they were , " offended" or "scared" leading to either you/me being written up, fired, sent to "anger management" classes etc.... My advice, and what I try to do, is smile, smile, smile and never complain. SUCK it all up, I do the super fake cheerfulness too, and most people eat it right up. Then I drive home listening to "offensive" curse filled rap music, go to sleep, if I am off work, excersie to the same type of music. It helps with my stress from work, makes me feel better, and is good for my cardiovascular health and wasit. lol There really is only so much people can take. Most nurses I have seen are either super passive aggressive "complainers", or the ones that seem to " not care about anything".

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Specializes in Float Pool-Med-Surg, Telemetry, IMCU.

I find the Ween song "**** Up a Rope" and anything by Wesley Willis (google him) to be especially cathartic after a tough day. Sometimes it's hard not to giggle when I think about what the other people on the bus would think if they could hear my ipod. :devil:

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I don't swear but there are days in the ER where I really wish I did. All my co-workers do and even just hearing them let loose a well timed expletive can help ease my frustration. Instead of thinking you might be burning out, think that you are finally becoming an ER nurse... Welcome to the dark side my friend!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Just a gentle reminder.....while this thread is about swearing....AN prohibits profanity (I know ironic isn't it??:facepalm:) which includes the use of symbols and letters to circumvent the censors....

Foul Language / Profanity:

Nothing should ever be posted here that you would not say in front of a crowd of professionals. ALLNURSES.COM, INC staff have the right to edit offensive language. (Including profanity cleverly disguised - such as different spelling or a mixture of letters and symbols.)

While I have a colorful vocabulary...I restrain myself on AN...;).

Thanks :lol2:

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I swear in gaelic!!! That way only I know what is being said and it just sounds like I'm talking to my self

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I sometimes swear in French, especially since I have come to the US. However, while being in a different language, I have a difficult time masking the tone and sentiment behind it, so people can usually still tell it is a curse word of some sort. :p

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I swear in gaelic!!! That way only I know what is being said and it just sounds like I'm talking to my self

I want to learn!!!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I do a lot of swearing in Spanish, especially at home because my family doesn't understand much of it. Can't do it at work because many of my co-workers are Mexican and they understand me perfectly well. :yeah:

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I disagree. It just means that I have utilize other words in my vocabulary. Oh, and I've everything BUT boring.

I choose not to curse because it is just not my personality.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Unfortunately my potty mouth became worse since I became a nurse. I have to tone it down at home because of my 3 year old. At work in my office it can be a free for all behind closed doors. I don't swear in front of patients.

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I used to curse like a sailor prior to becoming a nurse.

I'm an ER nurse and I don't drop f bombs anymore. I may say "oh hell" or "damn" from time to time, but I don't use a string of curse words in general conversation.

However, I don't get offended if someone else does.

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