Cussing Co-Workers

[Furoffire]

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

[ms mimi]

if it just slips out that is one thing, but to use it as part of your vocabulary, especially at work just makes the person look ignorant. its like they cant think of any other adjective, noun, or verb to use so they substitute it for foul language. just an opinion, though....

[KellNY, RN]

but that's the thing....if they want to risk looking ignorant to other people, then that's their problem/decision.

But either way, I'm done with this thread.:trout:

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

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.

Cussing is the offense. Simply stating "i'm offended by it" with no reason given would be way more productive than someone saying "because i'm God-fearing" as their reason to be offended.

[Lurksalot, BSN, RN]

Co-workers using foul language around me bothers me, too, but I think it's not the hill I want to die on unless it's directed at me. I would ignore it. If it was directed at me, or in front of/direct at a patient, I would confront the person privately about it and be very firm that I expect the behavior to stop. If it's nurses talking in the break room, or amongst themselves at the nurses station, personally I would ignore it. There are a lot of things people do/discuss that I don't like or agree with, but if I make an issue of everything, guess who is going to look like the problem--me. Right or wrong, I've seen it happen too many times.

I know that I can go on my way conducting myself in a professional manner, the way I want myself presented to my co-workers. I feel like the only behavior I can ultimately control is that of myself.

[ortess1971]

The problem is that this is such a gray issue. Would I be offended by someone who swore constantly. Hmmm....maybe not offended but I would kind of feel badly for them that they felt this was the only way they could express themselves. And I don't think swearing is appropriate in front of the patients. A swear word hear or there(not said in front of a pt.) to me is not a big deal. I would have more of a problem with someone trying to convert me at every turn. IMO, it is also unprofessional to bring up religion constantly at work-not everyone is a Christian. One does not have to go to church every week to be a good person or to be spriritual, for that matter. One woman got thrown out of nursing school because she was trying to convert patients and wouldn't stop, even after these patients complained. Part of being a good nurse is not forcing our own values and beliefs on others. I do think that the OP has a right to feel the way she does-I would feel much the same way around someone who is racist or intolerant. Ultimately, though, I agree that she should pick her battles and not get hung up on the "small stuff". Are these cussing nurses basically good people? How well do they take care of their patients? These to me are the important matters.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I don't think you should take the cursing personally unless it is directed at you. That is one of the ways that people deal with their stress. I agree with some of the other posters that we can't really impose ourselves on others, so to speak. You can make a light comment, maybe, and some will get the hint, however, there may be others that will continue, anyway, out of habit. I happen to be a Pagan, so, while I do have respect for the faiths of others, I wouldn't be so accepting if someone tried to push Christianity on me, but I would make an effort to curb down in the way I express myself if it were disturbing to others. Now, the doctor thingy...I would blast them if they cursed or insulted me when I approached them with an issue, because I would not be calling them 'just because'. There is an issue that needs to be addressed.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Is the issue cursing or God? People have the right to advocate whatever their belief systems are, and while I respect the idea that an individual wishes to not be exposed to certain behaviors, by stating that God has to be defended makes another feel that they can defend Allah, Krishna, Athena, or any other entity that is worshipped. I think the issue is ensuring that the patient is not exposed to this, or that if a co-worker is offended by certain comments being made, that we try to consider the feeling. People can and will slip, however, and it is hard to walk into a new unit and expect to change some of the people you may need to assist until the routine is learned.

[smilin_gp]

I am not much of a potty mouth, and I am actually a Christian, but I would probably be very uncomfortable and somewhat defiant if a colleague told me to change a behavior because they were 'god-fearing'. It would be better accepted if it was presented as a behavior that lessened the professionalism of the workplace or had anything to do with patient care. The first approach would come across to me as an attack on my personal belief system, and would still come across as 'holier than thou'-even with the disclaimer.

[PANurseRN1]

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.

...

[NebbyLPN]

If it's so offensive to hear people using profanity, then it shouldn't be hard for to tell them not to use it when talking to you or just turn and walk away from the conversation. Otherwise, just politely ignore it or tattle on them. That's the way freedom works. To my way of thinking, religion has nothing to do with profanity.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

That, I can appreciate. It is the "God fearing" comment that I believe makes people edgy in this thread. If it leans more on the issue of professionalism and respect, it can be better accepted. Again, I am a Pagan. Cursing really doesn't bother me, actually, it is understood by me, actually. And, I try to be conscious of offending people. But, no one wants to feel forced to accept and change based on someone else's values. I have a friend at work who is a Christian. We are great friends. I can tell when I slip and say a curse that she is visibly uncomfortable, and I usually apologize profusely, because I know it offends her. She doesn't try to make me or anyone change, and she does know how to discretely remove herself when the conversations become too heated for her taste. No matter what the religion, there is a basic respect for people and professionalisim that should be addressed without impressing each individual reason.

I am not much of a potty mouth, and I am actually a Christian, but I would probably be very uncomfortable and somewhat defiant if a colleague told me to change a behavior because they were 'god-fearing'. It would be better accepted if it was presented as a behavior that lessened the professionalism of the workplace or had anything to do with patient care. The first approach would come across to me as an attack on my personal belief system, and would still come across as 'holier than thou'-even with the disclaimer.

[lovemyjob]

There are three things you dont talk about in polite company: politics, RELIGION, and money. That takes care of that issue.

As far as foul language, my oldest brother, who I greatly respect, always told me that foul language makes you sound ignorant. Now, one slips every once in a while, but while at work I really try not to. As far as your situation, I think other posters have hit it right on the head: New people should be cautious of rocking the boat. Going to the supervisor is a huge mistake an will make your coworker see you as a snitch and someone who can not be trusted. You dont want to make enemies, and going to a supervisor over something that is small and not effecting patient care or crossing the line and becoming abusive is going to only make your seem petty.

Like my wonderul Nanny said: Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me!!