Do all the ICU RNs gossip?

dorie43rn · Nov 1, 2007

What's the deal? It seems like everyone in our unit gossips about each other, behind the back or even in front of another's face! I can't stand this crap.

Before I became a nurse, I worked as a waitress and childcare worker. When you work with a bunch of women, (and some men), there is always gossip. If it bothers you, ignore it because there is no getting away from it no matter what field you are in. Another hint: don't give them anything to gossip about!

dorie43rn

scucer · Nov 1, 2007

you will find gossiping everywhere you go. it's not right, but it happens. the best, although sometimes hardest, way to deal with it is it just ignore it. my theory is "if they have nothing better to do than talk about me, then i just feel sad for them". these people have kids, hobbies, and everything else in the world to talk about, but for some reason won't. I'll bore you with 20 minutes talking about my cat before you'd hear me say anything about someone else. Just remember "this too shall pass" and by next week, they'll be talking about something, or someone, else.

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Nov 1, 2007

What's the deal? It seems like everyone in our unit gossips about each other, behind the back or even in front of another's face! I can't stand this crap.

Anytime you get a group of people together they are going to gossip. That's were the jokes about corporate America and water coolers came from.

p.s. (Politically incorrect joke warning) What's the difference between a male nurse and a female nurse? The male nurse can keep working while he's gossiping.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 2, 2007

what's the deal? it seems like everyone in our unit gossips about each other, behind the back or even in front of another's face! i can't stand this crap.

you'll find gossip every where you go.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2007

"All ICU RNs" ........ that's quite a generalization you're making there :uhoh21:

I work in an ICU and yeah there's some gossip here and there, but it's harmless gossip. We don't trash talk each other and we don't put down other nurses.

I think people gossip because it's something to do and fills the time. We usually fill the time by joking around and laughing. Actually a lot of people would probably find it rather odd and maybe even be offended by that as well ..... but it works for us!

Rage, RN · Nov 2, 2007

Being a male in a female dominated profession I can tell you there was alot of gossip about me. Here is how I dealt with it.

A bunch of nurses (women) were standing around the nurse's station talking and as I went by them I over heard my name. Without skipping a beat I stuck my head in on the conversation and announced "If anyone wants the truth or details, just ask me, I don't have any problems telling you". Then went on my way, one thing they were embarrassed to be found out, and secondly if the truth is so easy to get then there isn't really any need to gossip about it, thirdly if they realize that you really just don't care then it kinda loses all of its purpose.

Artemis2 · Nov 4, 2007

Ok, here is my theory on gossip...

Remember Maslow's hierarchy of needs? I believe that gossip feeds that need that everyone has "to belong". If you are standing around in a group talking about someone else then you get this warm fuzzy feeling of belonging... even if it is just an illusion and even if it is just for the moment. I think that is why gossip is so seductive and addictive. I think that is why people will turn on friends for the sake of joining in the gossip.

Once people let go of this need to feel like they "belong" to this particular group or that they no longer feel the need to gossip. Otherwise it is very difficult to stop and you will find it everywhere because it feeds a basic, instinctive need.

suanna · Nov 4, 2007

I've told people before if you are going to talk about me at least have the courtesy to wait until my back is turned and try to make it juicy. My street rep. could use some spicing up. If it makes thier day go better have at it. I prefer to waste my time on AllNurses.com

JeffTheRN · Nov 4, 2007

The amount of gossiping and complaining about this and that, that I hear throughout the shift irritates the heck of me. I try my hardest to just stay away from it. When I am around a group and I hear the crud start to fly, I excuse myself and walk away. I feel my patients deserve my full amount of time when I am there, and if I have time to gossip/trash talk, then obviously, my patients aren't getting the full amount of attention they need. I have found there is ALWAYS something to do.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Nov 7, 2007

you're going to find that anywhere. especially working in a hospital. everyone becomes each others second family.. because really.. you're spending 12 hours a day, 3-4 days a week with your co-workers. of course theres going to be talking. everyone knows whose getting a divorce, who has their period, whose kid flunked algebra, etc etc. my mom retired from CCU nursing for a dr's office often referred to her unit as the "hen house". you'll find though if you work in a place long enough, you will sometimes appreciate the extra nosy-ness when you could use a friend.

ICUColtRN · Nov 7, 2007

What's the deal? It seems like everyone in our unit gossips about each other, behind the back or even in front of another's face! I can't stand this crap.

When you get a bunch of women together, that's what happens. Just be careful to try avoiding falling into the same trap. I'm over it, too. Working in ICU is worse, where they seem to "eat their young" moreso than in other areas of nursing. I just do my best to ignore this crap, do my job to the best of my ability, then go home. Who cares what they say or think, anyway? Unless it is false, and detrimental to your character, who cares.