Clipping nails at nurse's station

Nurses General Nursing

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I live in Alabama and several nurse's where I work clip their nails at the nurse's station and I find that to be horribly disgusting. Has anyone else had coworkers who do this? Does it bother you all or am I just being fussy?

I swear, there was a fart thread some weeks back. Everyone was cool with blowing farts all the nurse's station. Nail clipping at the nurse's station? No. That is "of the devil'.

Like, a poster in the thread actually used the word 'appalled'. (Lol) Im appalled over reasonable issues, like, violence in the middle east. Im not 'appalled' that any would clip fingernails at the nurse's station. This site is just...I swear, a lot of people on here just go with the popular opinion of the thread and whatever the popular posters type/think. People are offended and morally outraged over the dumbest freaking things on this site. This, being an example

What "appalls" one person or another is completely subjective. "Reasonable" is also a matter of opinion, not something with an indisputable definition. One can be upset about violence in the middle east AND find doing personal grooming at the nursing station to be unprofessional, gross, or even "appalling."

Oh, yes. We were in the breakroom listening to report when they did this. I remember Old Nurse T turned around to see what everyone was twittering about.

You remember those really really stern old-school nurses? That was Nurse T. She laid into those aides, and I'm sure the last echoes of her voice are still reverberating across space to this day.

Oh yeah, I had one of those in nursing school. At the cusp of retirement but I'm glad I was taught by her. She was a stickler for doing your job correctly. Even down to how to put a pillow case on without contaminating it. (You don't put the pillow under your chin for one thing).

She also did not like it when housekeeping left the linen closet open in the hallway so to this day when I walk by the nurses station and that cupboard is left open, I close it.

I can hear still hear her voice. I'm grateful!

And yes, I brush my teeth at work but I don't use the sink in the nurses station. I go to the bathroom. As others have said, some things should be done in the bathroom.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I do brush and floss my teeth at work. Sometimes I have to take my socks off and scratch my foot. Other times, my one of my nails needs a quick trim cause it catches. I scratch an itch in a place not to be shared with the public. I refresh my face makeup powder. I fuss with my hair.

I do not do these things in the breakroom where people eat for heaven's sake. Nor do I do them at the nurses' station.

I do all these things. All the time.

In the bathroom, because that is where they should be done.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I did. I asked her not to do that anymore. She acted surprised I had a problem with it.

Wha?!!!! No man I would've called them out right there and then. I would've asked what the hell were they thinking doing that in the break room sink.

For those who think it is acceptable clip nails at the nursing station, is it ok to groom nails in other shared spaces such as; planes and trains? Are there public places where you draw the line and think it would not be ok?

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Knowing the nasty stuff nails can harbor, and how they sometimes land where they should not when trimmed, I would say keep it at home or in the bathroom.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
For those who think it is acceptable clip nails at the nursing station, is it ok to groom nails in other shared spaces such as; planes and trains? Are there public places where you draw the line and think it would not l

be ok?

I remember when I was riding on the subway someone clipping their nails-the sound was annoying and even the act itself, that I changed cars.

Sometimes I think people forget to use something that we should've all been taught-TACT.

Specializes in Med/Surg.
It's weird...why can't they clip their nails in the staff bathroom?

Or at home

Specializes in Case management, occupational health.
It wouldn't bother me, at all. I can't recall it ever happening where I work, though. I'd rather sit with someone clipping their toenails than chewing ice or wearing scented body lotion/perfume.

I'm with you, I would much rather sit by someone who is clipping their nails than sit near someone who just took a smoke break and reeks like an ashtray

I keep nail clippers attached to my badge b/c I am always breaking my nails popping pill pkgs open and I can't stand going the entire shift with a sharp, broken nail that I could scratch a patient with, so I use the clippers to trim it off. I see nothing wrong with that.

It wouldn't bother me, at all. I can't recall it ever happening where I work, though. I'd rather sit with someone clipping their toenails than chewing ice or wearing scented body lotion/perfume.

I'm with you, I would much rather sit by someone who is clipping their nails than sit near someone who just took a smoke break and reeks like an ashtray

Why should we have to choose between either of these two individuals?

I'm lucky that I have never worked with anyone who smoked or had the time to go somewhere to smoke. And if someone was clipping their TOENAILS at the nursing station, we would definitely be having a conversation.

Specializes in progressive care. med surg. tele. LTC. psych..
For those who think it is acceptable clip nails at the nursing station, is it ok to groom nails in other shared spaces such as; planes and trains? Are there public places where you draw the line and think it would not be ok?

Unless they're clipping them over my food, on above my head, I really don't see a problem whatsoever. Lol. Those are the only ways I'd feel affected.

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