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?

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.
I dont think her reactions sounds way over the top.My own mother had stretchmarks since she gave birth (since she was 18).She could never wear two piece swim suit and had low-self esteem because of it,so tell her that this is not a big deal is simply ignoring her need to vent,thanks..

I gave birth when I was 18, and my stretch marks have never caused me to have low self esteem. My stretch marks are precious to me, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. And yes, I wear a two piece. If people don't like it, they don't have to look. :twocents:

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Ms. Nurse Assistant,

If your stretch marks are causing you that much grief, may I suggest some counseling? I think it's our individual differences that make us unique.

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It would take more than some stretch marks to get me talking. A seriously obscene tattoo maybe- I've seen a few of those.

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
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!

I agree. They'll either see your stretch marks and know what's going on, or else they'll assume and think you have track marks or something worse.

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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.

I am having a really bad morning and you just made me laugh to tears. :chuckle Thank you!!!

BTW...my abdomen does as well

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Specializes in School Nursing.

i think if i saw the stretch marks, i would be unimpressed by them. there are far worse things to see in/on patients.

try to calm down a bit with the insecurities. you are god's precious child and are loved !

praiser :heartbeat

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Specializes in School Nursing, Pedi., Critical Care.

If they were to talk about anything it would be about how you wouldn't let them take your b/p, not your stretch marks!

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I notice them, for about 0.0003 secs and then i've already forgotten about it! I'm not that shallow to judge you as a person for a few stretch marks.

I'm here to support you, not to make fun of your insecurities.

I've got them too, by the way, after the birth of our kid my husband admonished me for not straightening the creases of my dress when I sit down: Look how they dug into your skin!:chuckle he's still none the wiser.

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Specializes in DD, PD/Agency Peds, School Sites.

I used to be modest. That went out the window after having both of my children at a teaching hospital. :imbar And now, my midsection looks like I have a tatoo of raw bacon on it. :eek: Funny thing is that, in my youth, I was very shy about a mole I have near my left ear. I'm over myself by now, believe me. It's the one thing that age brings that is not gravity-related. I hope you find comfort in your own skin someday. :wink2:

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

I am thin too at 115 pounds, but I used to be obese. I also gestated with large babies (my largest was 10 pounds, and she is 5 years old today!). Most of my skin bounced back, but the skin my GYN sees (inner thighs and such) did not. Not only do I have stretch marks everywhere, but there I am lumpy and dimpled. I just explain it to the doc when it comes to that time of the year for an exam. I have always gotten a very positive response. The only thing I am self-conscious about are my boobs. They are stretch marked and very flat. (I find myself explaining those away, too! Seriously--they look like they were transplanted from an 80-year-old lady.) I don't cover my thighs when I wear a swimsuit, but I always make sure to cover my boobs all the way. Anyway, I think it's okay to be self-conscious to a point.

I am sorry to hear that people made comments to you. It only takes 1 time to hear something flippant and negative to become self-conscious about something. The persons who made comments probably didn't think twice about what they said, but it stuck with you.

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Specializes in CVICU.
Are stretch marks the least offensive thing RNs/LPNs encounter on their patients?

I'd take stretch marks any day over most things I see on a daily basis! Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. We are accustomed to seeing scars, acne, stretch marks, hairy backs, obscene tattoos, rolls, pock marks, toenail fungus, etc, and we really don't think twice about it.

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I am thin too at 115 pounds, but I used to be obese. I also gestated with large babies (my largest was 10 pounds, and she is 5 years old today!). Most of my skin bounced back, but the skin my GYN sees (inner thighs and such) did not. Not only do I have stretch marks everywhere, but there I am lumpy and dimpled. I just explain it to the doc when it comes to that time of the year for an exam. I have always gotten a very positive response. The only thing I am self-conscious about are my boobs. They are stretch marked and very flat. (I find myself explaining those away, too! Seriously--they look like they were transplanted from an 80-year-old lady.) I don't cover my thighs when I wear a swimsuit, but I always make sure to cover my boobs all the way. Anyway, I think it's okay to be self-conscious to a point.

I am sorry to hear that people made comments to you. It only takes 1 time to hear something flippant and negative to become self-conscious about something. The persons who made comments probably didn't think twice about what they said, but it stuck with you.

Yes I agree with you,sometimes people hurt us by their little comments without actually realizing the damage they had done,some know exactly what they are saying and they do it intentionally...I'm yet to see a person who is happy with their life to comment on somebody else's flaws.

I dont know OP maybe you should start saving for the surgery to get rid of those stretchmarks if the bother you so much but I'm sure you are a very pretty,nice young lady and people like you for who you are.

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