Do nurses talk about their patients when the leave

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Okay, this is a very personal issue for me. I have some stretch marks on my arms that I am very self conscious about. Once I went to the dr. for a check up (i had to for employment) and I outright refused to let the nurse take my blood pressure. I have a complex about them and think people notice them and I always wear long sleeves. The nurse had to get someone to come in the room and encourage me to let them take my blood pressure, after some serious coaching I let them do it. I refused another time and the nurse had to take my blood pressure over my clothing.

Whenever I reveal my arms I just feel like the nurse is looking at the stretch marks in disgust and will go tell the other employees in the clinic about them and laugh. I am hoping that nurses are more professional than that. Are stretch marks the least offensive thing RNs/LPNs encounter on their patients?

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I think that nurses wouldn't talk behind your back about stretch marks but refusing to have a medical assessment done because of you insecurities really ends up bringing more attention to what your trying to hide. medical facilities can be busy and my guess is they are on to thinking about the next patient and how to meet their needs. Its hard to get over our insecurities but you can do it!

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As an EMT, I can say that stretch marks are not something that medical people look twice at or give any thought to. What I have seen and smelled had to put my hands on is a zillion times worse than some skin discolorations! It is very hard to deal with something about ourselves that we do not like. There is usually no problem taking blood pressure over long sleeves, as long as it is a thinner material. Try not to stress so much

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Specializes in Rehab, LTC, Peds, Hospice.

I am sorry that you feel so self concious about your arms. Nurses always see people not at their best, and truthfully we seem to talk more if anything about people's behavior than anything else. If they did talk about you it was probably more about irritation - trying to get their job done and having to jump through hoops to do it. That really isn't ok, but it is a way to vent and we all do it. The longer I do this, I truthfully don't notice those kind of things except in the most clinical way. It doesn't make me think any less of them, honest. I hope you can find a way to accept yourself, and try not to worry too much about what other people think.

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Specializes in peds and med/surg.

Stretch marks aren't anything to worry about. My abdomen looks like freddy kruger tore it up. I know it's not going to help, but don't worry so much about them.

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

I would just wear a thin long-sleeved shirt every time you think your BP would be taken. I can't imagine that anyone would be laughing about your stretch marks on your arms. If they did, they aren't worth the scrubs they wear. Stretch marks are a part of most of us, but since you are very self-conscious, I would just wear the thin shirt and say you prefer to keep your sleeves down. If they happen to be talking, they probably are wondering why you refuse to allow the sleeve to go up instead of talking about your stretch marks. I want to give you a hug, though.

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Specializes in Orthosurgery, Rehab, Homecare.

Nurses and nursing assistants see all shapes, sizes, colors and variations of the human body. I'm not even sure that I would notice streach marks let alone comment on them. Often things we notice about ourselves are "magnified" in our minds eye and others don't see them the same way. Honestly, when we talk about our patients it's usually when they did/said somethig especially nasty or the like. They were probably more likely to think it strange that you were so reluctant to let them thake your blood pressure, and even that they'll probably forget by tomorrow. I've seen so many people and their bodys that things on or about them are rarely suprising anymore.

Rest easy, I think your arms being the subject of conversation is highly unlikely.

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Pls don't give this another thought. It wouldn't even register on my radar. I like the idea of a thin shirt if it makes you more comfortable but trust me chances are they don't even give it a second thought.

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Thank you, that is very good to hear that it's not as big of a deal as I make it out to be.

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I'm so sorry that you are feeling that way.

Even though I am not a nurse yet (still in school), I have learned that whatever weird/gross/embarassing thing that I have going on---the nurse or Dr. has most likely seen WAY worse. I really realized that after having children. Pretty much all of your modesty goes flying out the window.

I do know how it is to feel self conscious, though---heck, my tummy isn't "tight" like it was--I had two children each over 10 lbs (one nearly 11!))...but you know what? That's just who I am. I kind of have a motto of....."Take me or leave me and if you want to talk about me, well, then, you don't have much going on in your life, and I'm sorry for you" :D

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We've seen stretch marks. We don't care.

Is there a counselor whom you could talk to? Your reaction sounds way over the top and I think you would benefit from some intervention.

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Specializes in CNA.

I am not a nurse, but as a nurse assistant I've had to take loads of vital signs. I am so use to looking at different skin conditions I'd probably hardly notice.. and.. as someone else said... my stomach looks like freddy krueger tore it up as well, after having my baby. We all have stuff we are insecure about. I honestly wouldn't worry!! I read somewhere once that we all magnify our problems so much, and most people don't even notice.

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