Cussing Co-Workers

Nurses General Nursing

Published

at my new job, many of my co-workers use foul four letter words. of course the patients do not hear, hopefully. i am a god fearing nurse and the language makes me uncomfortable. i do not want to be a prude and holier than thou, but how do i stop this? i know my co-workers get stressed out and the foul words are just an expression to blow off steam but frankly i cannot stand it and would like to nip it in the bud w/o being offensive. any words of wisdom? plus, there are a few doctors that have low tolerance for errors, don't blame them but i understand they use foul language over the phone with the nurses, since i am new to the dept., i am bound to make an error or two, if i get the foul treatment, how can i assertively stop that behavior as well? :smiley_ab

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Just a student here...and a Christian. I don't recall reading that Furoffire "pushes" the Bible on others. But maybe if she did, some of those co-workers may be helped. They may find other ways (meditating on The Word, for example) to "blow off steam". OR, maybe they would think twice before speaking offensively in her presence if they simply have no interest in learning about God. At any rate, because one has a belief in God does not automatically make one a Bible-toting fanatic. It simply means that we are offended by some wordly things that others may be okay with. That's all.

My point was that it's not just "God fearing" people who can be offended by vulgar language. That's all. Also, the work place is not the place for evangelizing.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
My point was that it's not just "God fearing" people who can be offended by vulgar language. That's all. Also, the work place is not the place for evangelizing.

I agree completely. I guess a similar comparison would be smoking....I loathe cigarette smoke in every way shape and form....but there are some situations where I cannot avoid it and it's something I have learned to deal with. I agree that it is unprofessional to constantly use vulgar language in the workplace.....however, I think that if I got this upset over something that doesn't significantly impact my life and how I live it, that I would die of a heart attack or stroke by the time I was 30. Nurses are all human beings and we're not perfect.....I guess what I'm saying is that we should pick our battles wisely and maybe not sweat the small stuff so much. JMHO.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
Cussing is unprofessional and shouldn't be tolerated in public.

Gave an awareness counciling yesterday to one of my clerks for foul language used while I was on vacation last week--some directed at RN staff. They had a meltdown as 2 clerks called off day after Memorial day, one was already scheduled off and evening person later called in sick so they were ONLY clerk out of 4.

Called her on unprofessional behaviour towards other colleagues. She admitted severe stress and regretted tirade as soon as it occured; appologized to staff member.

Reinforced prefessional thing to do was to report severe staff shortage to MY boss since acting charge RN didn't call perdiem agency for staffing.

Management sets the tone in a department. They are the ones to discipline staff if you've tried individual approach without change. If manager not aware, please clue them in---can't do anything about issues if kept in the dark!

Many good responses already given! Great thread.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

Good post arblunt and multicollinarity - I tend to agree :)

I myself am a Christian and do not choose to use fowl language but yes a lot of my co-workers do...so be it. They have the right to use fowl language just as much as I have a right to not use fowl language. If this affects pt care I would surely say something to that person but in a matter-of-fact manner as an earlier poster mentioned.
No fowl language?

Does that mean I can't say any "chicken" or "squawk" jokes? :( :sniff:

;) :p Just messin' withcha :D

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I know what you mean. I've had my share of pottymouth coworkers. I usually say something to the effect of "whoa, I think you meant to say "sugar" or something. If that doesn't work, I speak to them privately and let them know that at work they need to speak professionally, that having fun is one thing but using potentially offensive language is quite another. I tell them to speak as if a resident is listening at all times, because they can never be positive that they aren't.

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i got a better idea i won't preach to you if you don't swear around me. and two swearing in the patients rooms is un call for this is where the supervisior or managers need to step in. because if i had a child that was one of your patients and you're swearing around him or her i will personal will go to the head of the hospital.

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Specializes in OR.

Also, just because someone is a little potty mouthed doesn't mean they are a bad person or a bad nurse. Let me tell you, I have had some co-workers who may have been a bit "rough around the edges" but they were kind and caring to their patients and fellow employees. Then I had the manager who wore a WWJD lanyard around her neck but she was intolerant(particularly to those who didn't share her views on religion 100%), nasty and an accomplished liar.:angryfire As long as the patients can't hear it, it doesn't bother me...I'm a big girl, I can take it!

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I promise not to swear at work if you promise never to drop the "g" bomb! I try to always say fudge or some "soft subsitute" for dirty words, but I saw that you mentioned god in your post. I have a co-worker who brings up the bible and god all to often, to staff and pt. I find this just as offensive as when you hear the "f" bomb drop...just something to think about..

:yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat:

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Good post arblunt and multicollinarity - I tend to agree :)

No fowl language?

Does that mean I can't say any "chicken" or "squawk" jokes? :( :sniff:

;) :p Just messin' withcha :D

na roy its call common sense.
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No fowl language?

Does that mean I can't say any "chicken" or "squawk" jokes? :( :sniff:

;) :p Just messin' withcha :D

:rotfl: No peeps, pecks or chirps either!:rotfl:

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I have been in that situation and the things I saw were definately abusive, to the staff as well as the residents. I am not talking about a little slip here and there as I'm sure everyone has done that, including me. I simply quit my job. The nurses were aweful and frankly I didn't want to be associated with a bunch of people that showed no respect for themselves, their patients or the nursing profession in general. We all need to be respectful of each other, we are always going to work with people that come from different cultural backgrounds as well as religious backgrounds etc. While in the work place I feel we should all be representing the nursing profession and projecting a profession image. Just my 2 cents.

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

Okay, hearing someone curse and being cursed at are two totally different things. There are some people (as some have mentioned) who are just rough around the edges.

If your coworkers are saying stuff like "Aw, s**t...I didn't get my f'ing Ancef up yet from the dam*ed pharmacy" that is not abusive. That is a world away from "Nurse Soandso--get your f'ing @$$ over here, G.D. it!". That is abusive and should be reported.

People are different....some curse, some don't. Some are religious, some aren't (and btw, you can curse and be religious at the same time!). Get used to it. One of our aides is very religious, and she always tells me to have a blessed day, that God smiled on me (re: my beautiful son), "keep your faith" "pray on it" etc. I'm not religious, I don't share her views. But she's not saying those things to me maliciously, so whatever. no big deal. I'm not going to say anything to her or ask her to stop. ::shrug::

The OP didn't say she was getting cursed at, just that people were cursing around her.

Me, personally, when not on a moderated board, I have a potty mouth. I usually don't "let loose" around people who seem uncomfortable (never around patients!), and will usually reserve myself until I know the persons personality, etc. Although I will admit that something slips out every now and then.

If it makes you uncomfortable, then I guess say something to them. But why does it make you so uncomfortable? Is it because you view it as a sin? They're just words. Words that most likely aren't directed at you. No one is trying to get you to curse along with them. And you said yourself that the patients don't here it...I just don't get it. (I also don't gte what your being "god fearing" has to do with anything...)

If they were talking about their live in boyfriend whom they have a child with and do not plan on marrying--or they mentioned their female "partner" and their upcoming commitment ceremony, would that make you uncomfortable? Would you expect them not to talk about those things because you feel they are incongruent with your personal beliefs?

Please help me to understand.

Kelly

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