Flirting at work

Nurses General Nursing

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I work in LTC and I was wondering if anyone receives many compliments from pts, their family members, co workers, doctors, or EMS workers. I have saw one of the doctors try to get dates with nurses. I have saw EMS workers give phone numbers to nurses. One of the housekeepers married a CNA. I have had one mans dad (the pt is 32 and his father is around early 50's) flirt and wanted me to call him. I had one pt try to get me to date her grandson and he was in to it. It is like I am in a SEX-WARD or somthing. I sometimes feel like when I get ready for work I don't want to wear make up or fix my hair or wear lotion, so I don't smell good. This is crazy. I was just wondering about others.

Sorry to mention it again but I did not hear anyone say that they say the same TV video that I talked about in my earlier post about nurses? If so, what did you think about the video?

Ok, GAnurse, now that you have explored some experiences with flirtation & flattery....

Remember that as a nurse you alway uphold a standard of professional conduct, never mind the hospital's guidelines, it's about the professionalism you convey. You never cross the patient-nurse professional boundary. Plus there is always someone watching you and willing to dispell rumors (true or not) about your character and integrity.

You really didn't have to lie to that man on the phone. If you would have said "I don't hold relationships with my clients" (yes, pt's families are our clients too, remember?) This would have been more honest.

Another thing, if you observe inappropriate behavior with co-workers, it is your responsibility to address it to someone who can tactfully correct the situation and the co-workers' behavior. There is a thin line between verbal flattrery and sexual harassment in the workplace. I don't suggest that you should solve those problems in your intitution, but not doing anything about it will only make it permissible. Simply walking away from innuendos only puts the nurse in a helpless position. That's not the work enviroment what nurses need.

You seem to be very young and taken by the flattery. But like someone wrote earlier, there is a time and place for that.

Best of luck.

How did the date with the grandson go?

Just kidding.

-Russell

NurseLili, I don't have as much problem with co workers. I have seen the co workers flirting with one another but never as much towards me. I have more family members trying it with me. I know I did not have to lie but he did not come straight out and say Hey lets date, but he was making suggestions toward it, so I thought that was a nice short and easy way to get off the topic.

Hey you always get flirted with. Not I.

In my 20's I had patients compliment and tell me I should be a model. (okay the worlds most petite model...5 ft. 2 in.) Family and patients might say, "I (you) have a pretty nurse" Little comments like that.

I've never been asked out by any patient, Dr., male nurse or ancillary staff. It's probably because I'm queen busy body working non-stop with my patients. Also the wedding ring probably veers people away.

Really I don't mind compliments...but only one Dr. comes to mind that would go over line. He was a short, chubby Dr. that would flirt and touch every nurse. I'd keep my distance from him. (he was the only one I thought went over line--he spent all day flirting and gave LITTLE attention to his patients)

stop being prudish. in this day and age it is hard to meet people. if you were single maybe you would think different. when i was on the single scene me and my friends would make weekly trips to the local bar to meet people. fun but not always desireable. so remember there are a lot of lonely people out there only looking for a little companionship.

remember there is a time and place for flirting. if you are pretty or handsome enough to always being hit upon as described in the above posts then take it as a compliment and go on. usually a quick one liner will stop any unwanted pass.

if no one paid attention to you you will know what it is like to feel lonely.

many people have been their spouses at their place of employment. it is how the world works.

yes, i speak from experience.

Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

OK - I confess - I'm one of those people that deep down smiles "yeah, I still got it" if someone flirts with me ;). I don't reciprocate it, and I find the best way to avoid it is to look and be entirely too busy for that nonsense, but I agree with Tonchito - take it as a compliment even if it's only secretly to yourself.

I think there is definitely a difference between harmless flirting and sexual harassment.

RN2007, I PM'ed you about the video you were describing. (Check your private messages in the user control panel, the button at the top of the page that says User CP) I haven't seen it yet, but I will watch for it.

Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

Someone said there is a difference between flirting and sexual harassment.If you are uncomfortable then you are being harassed you must learn ways to deal with these behaviors professionally.You can't act as like you would if you were in a bar and some toothless drunk is hanging all over you-even though some of our clients are just as repulsive......Look up sexual harassment on the net-there are a lot of good resources available-sometimes you just need a devastating one-liner on stand-by to deliver like a knock-out blow.....Good luck (good job for realizing that the residents behaviors are not the same-but do report it to your nurse)

Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

There is a time and place for everything, and the workplace, in my opinion, is NOT the place for flirting. I am apalled at the flirting I witness on my unit.............doctors with nurses, nurses with doctors, nurses with other staff members, even believe it or not nurses with Patients. I have one staff member who believes any female present on our unit/hospital is there for his own personal benefit.

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