Cussing Co-Workers

prmenrs, RN · Jun 9, 2006

My understanding of the OP's question is that co-workers are NOT swearing @ her, just using foul language around her in the course of the shift.

I've been to some businesses that wanted employees to clean it up a bit. They put out a quarter jar. If someone said a bad word, they had to pony up. Eventually, they either gave the $ to charity or had a party or bought something everyone had voted on, something like that. That might be an option.

In any case, treading lightly is a good idea for a newbie. Good Luck!

White Shoes · Jun 9, 2006

I started a new job last year. One nurse I worked with swore all of the time when she talked to the other nurses. Not in anger, just in her regular conversation.

One day someone told her I was a pastor's wife. She asked me if I wanted her to stop swearing when she was around me. I said, "I wouldn't want someone to expect me to change just for them, why should I expect that of others?"

I guess I see it this way...Jesus doesn't expect us to get all sparkling clean before he'll have anything to do with us... I shouldn't expect others to do that for me, either. Instead, I look past the language and to the heart of my co-workers. In respecting them for who they are, I find that they respect me, also.

White Shoes

allnurses Guide · Jun 10, 2006

at[/i], 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

I think words are very powerful, for instance we have slander laws to protect people from malicious speech. The OP simply said she was uncomfortable with it, not that it was malicious or directed toward her. The "godfearing" is just to give you a picture of how she sees herself, and immediately made the disclaimer she was not trying to be "holier than thou". Simply that she was uncomfortable and the background she is coming from.

This is very different from listening to conversational topics that may or may not be contrary to beliefs, not joining a conversation is much easier than tuning out constant cussing. As a Christian, many of my coworkers live in what I consider "sinful" situations, but it doesn't stop me from liking them or asking about their kids etc., just as they ask about mine. Not liking constant cussing is less about being judgemental than it is about courtesy. I personally don't like a lot of cussing around me, it is just rude and ignorant IMO. It is also distracting, taking away from the subject itself. Doesn't mean I don't slip every so often under stress, which gets me odd looks (you said that?!).

To me it is just a measure of courtesy and respect for the listener, not to use profanity.

pnanas982 · Jun 10, 2006

I would say, It is just a way to express feelings that everyone can understand.

KellNY, RN · Jun 10, 2006

I think words are very powerful, for instance we have slander laws to protect people from malicious speech.

This bears no relevance to this thread, as no one is cursing "at" or about the OP. Keyword was malicious.

Luvbuble · Jun 10, 2006

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

you should not, again should not tolorate :angryfire coworkers or doctors using any foul languages either towards you or others. i am a christian and by hearing people using the sentences,"god daxx it" and "fxxk"at my work just made me mad. :madface: let me tell you what i did.

i plainly handed in my resignation letter to my manager and told her that i could not tolorate this any more. i told her that a law suite is evitable if i have to continue to work at that place. my coworkers and the doctors not only insulted me but also insulted the god that i believe in.

in your case, if you want to keep working in a verbally abusive environment, i will suggest you to talk to the hr or your manager to make sure the foul mouth people will be warned. using foul languages or inappropriate words at work is considered to be a form of harrassment. my manager had me talked to the hr directly and gave me 2 weeks of pay and let me go. she apologized for what had happened and she said she would do something about it to make sure those people will not do it again.

from my point of view, i think we are living in america. we should have freedom of religion but if someone is trying to use the freedom of speech to insult my religion, i think i have the right to speak up and protect myself.

please do not give in. the more you step down, the more people will step all over you. this is from my experience. hope you will take the right action towards these pathetic people who you work with. and good luck.

Luvbuble · Jun 10, 2006

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.

Thank you for your opinion. I agree with you totally.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jun 10, 2006

Thought that nursing programs taught health care professionals to ACT with professional demeanor in the workplace as part of Nursing 101.

Those that cuss routinely at work need to be reminded of this fact. Should not be tolerated anywhere in health care setting as LOWERS our value as professionals. Appropriate language usually in P+P books.

Under severe stress/traumatic situations/multiple codes however, one time bleep understandable.

Set the standards high on a unit, others will follow. Low standards = chaos on a unit. Seen it both ways.

oneLoneNurse · Jun 10, 2006

I'm with Karen. I think that swearing or cursing is totally unprofessional.

Not sure what I would do if I had to deal with that. In Medical Information Systems we had a worker who swore real bad. Noone ever corrected him on it which I always thought surprising. We as nurses need to conduct ourselves professionally and set an example to our staff. Nursing is management.

buildingmyfaith57 · Jun 10, 2006

You should NOT, again should NOT tolorate :angryfire coworkers or doctors using any foul languages either towards you or others. I am a Christian and by hearing people using the sentences,"God daXX it" and "FxxK"at my work just made me mad. Let me tell you what I did.
I plainly handed in my resignation letter to my manager and told her that I could not tolorate this any more. I told her that a law suite is evitable if I have to continue to work at that place. My coworkers and the doctors not only insulted me but also insulted the God that I believe in.
In your case, if you want to keep working in a verbally abusive environment, I will suggest you to talk to the HR or your manager to make sure the foul mouth people will be warned. Using Foul languages or inappropriate words at work is considered to be a form of harrassment. My manager had me talked to the HR directly and gave me 2 weeks of pay and let me go. She apologized for what had happened and she said she would do something about it to make sure those people will not do it again.
From my point of view, I think we are living in America. We should have freedom of religion but if someone is trying to use the freedom of speech to insult my religion, I think I have the right to speak up and protect myself.
Please do not give in. The more you step down, the more people will step all over you. This is from my experience. Hope you will take the right action towards these pathetic people who you work with. And Good luck.

amen on that i agree.

allnurses Guide · Jun 10, 2006

Thought that nursing programs taught health care professionals to ACT with professional demeanor in the workplace as part of Nursing 101.
Those that cuss routinely at work need to be reminded of this fact. Should not be tolerated anywhere in health care setting as LOWERS our value as professionals. Appropriate language usually in P+P books.
Under severe stress/traumatic situations/multiple codes however, one time bleep understandable.
Set the standards high on a unit, others will follow. Low standards = chaos on a unit. Seen it both ways.

I agree and it is just this simple.

Swearing is unprofessional.

steph

bagladyrn, RN · Jun 10, 2006

I'm going to express another opinion here, just for something to consider. As a new staff member, you may want to choose your "battles" carefully. Certainly you should not tolerate cursing directed toward you. However, I have worked with a nurse who objected to any curse word that crossed your lips in any circumstance, even in the break room, out of pt. hearing, when not directed at her, or even in a conversation she just happened to overhear. She, with her "sensitivity" and "holier than thou" attitude made me very uncomfortable - maybe as much so as you say the cursing makes you and I made a concious effort to avoid her whenever possible. I'd hate to see you set yourself up for a similar reaction when you are the new one on the unit.