Therapeutic Gossip

Nurses General Nursing

Published

  • Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

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Ruby Vee, BSN

17 Articles; 14,030 Posts

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I am guessing "taking meds out the pyxis for your own use" refers to Tylenol or Motrin, and not something that requires a prescription!

Gossip is harmful in my opinion, as the wrong person can overhear your conversation and tell the person you are gossiping about, which then leads to poor morale on the unit and tension.

If you have issues with someone talk to them about it, not other people!!

Annie

I didn't think the OP referred to having issues with someone and talking to everyone ELSE about it rather than that person.

I tend to agree that gossip can be a good thing -- a team-building thing, even. BUT you have to be conscious of what you're saying or silently "going along with." I love to gossip -- but it tends to be about things such as "Did you know that Clara's biscuits took first prize at the fair this year?" and "Brumhilde's husband just got a big promotion at work, so she's going to cut her hours" rather than "I heard it was Brumhilde's husband who got arrested for brawling at the strip club last night" or "Clara is dating Jim in radiology -- only he's still married."

You have to gossip about things you'd be glad to have your colleague overhear. No one that I know of ever objected to being "gossiped" about for their proficiency in IV sticks, gardening awards or the pulchritude of their children.

Davey Do

10,476 Posts

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I am guessing "taking meds out the pyxis for your own use" refers to Tylenol or Motrin, and not something that requires a prescription!

Of course, Annie! It is odd that a prescription med could be taken out of the pyxis without a prescription. Seeings how a nurse has to sign in, give a fingerprint, and take the med out under staff use!

You'd think the hospital pharmacy would have done something about it. But, maybe they did!

I learned the Soma-using nurses name... and went on about my business.

Many things have changed since this situation took place: Neither nurse works at the facility anymore, Soma is now kept in the controlled substance drawer, and staff can no longer take meds out of the pyxis for their own use.

So, in a way, this discussion perceived by one to be gossip had a rather realistic and therapeutic outcome.

If you have issues with someone talk to them about it, not other people!!

Agreed.

Davey Do

10,476 Posts

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Needless to say since nobody really seems to know what the actual policies are, including management, everybody tends to just do their own thing and no actual policies that may or may not exist are followed anyway.

Yes Indeedy!

Hearsay is a accepted form of communication at the facility where I am employed. An administrator will tell a coworker of a change in policy and it seems we are expected to comply immediately when that info is passed on.

When this occurs, I often ask, "Is it documented?" And if the change of policy is not documented, my stance is that it didn't happen. Not accepting a documented change in P&P allows me to go along my merry way or forces administrative's hand to do their job.

I feel for the fresh nurses who attempt to follow the guidelines of administration at the facility where I work. They have no strong foundation to follow and administration is, as one coworker put it, "full of nonsense and chaos".

I had 20 years of experience working in several areas of nursing at different facilities when I started at the facility at which I am employed and can base my actions on that knowledge and experience. Fresh nurses merely have their education and administration's guidance.

Therapeutic gossip comes in handy with these people.

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I only use the word gossip to describe hearsay info that is passed along because it's a juicy story.

Usually the story gets repeated many times by people who have no first hand info of the event to the point of hyperbole.

Gossip is totally fun and hard to resist. It shouldn't be treated as fact and gossip should not inform important decisions, but sadly this happens all the time.

That's why gossip is negative.

I think all of us can think of a time we were harmed by gossip.

Orion81RN

962 Posts

I think one needs to go by the, Is it true, Is it relevant, is it necessary, and is it mean-spirited philosophy. Basically evaluate why you are saying something before you say it.

Davey Do

10,476 Posts

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Usually the story gets repeated many times by people who have no first hand info of the event to the point of hyperbole.

Yeah. Here's a good example:

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offlabel

1,561 Posts

Great examples of rationalization of self gratification through gratuitous judgementalism. It's all justified until someone has the unmitigated gall to gratify themselves at our expense. Then it ain't cool...

Davey Do

10,476 Posts

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Great examples of rationalization of self gratification through gratuitous judgementalism.

Interesting perspective of gratification, offlabel. Gratifaction is defined as "pleasure, especially when gained from the satisfaction of a desire".

However, I see one who engages in negative gossip in order to raise their own low self-esteem by putting others down in the same light as a junkie needing their drug. One who addicted to a substance doesn't keep using that substance for pleasure as much to relieve pain.

Those with low self-esteem are in a continual endeavor to feed their monkey, boost their low self-esteem, which can never be sated, or gratified.

One's opinion of themselves, or self-esteem, is therapeutically heightened through dealing with life's trials and tribulations which results in illuminating revelations and subsequently a higher consciousness.

That concept is via the late great Joseph campbell.

offlabel

1,561 Posts

Interesting perspective of gratification, offlabel. Gratifaction is defined as "pleasure, especially when gained from the satisfaction of a desire".

However, I see one who engages in negative gossip in order to raise their own low self-esteem by putting others down in the same light as a junkie needing their drug. One who addicted to a substance doesn't keep using that substance for pleasure as much to relieve pain.

Those with low self-esteem are in a continual endeavor to feed their monkey, boost their low self-esteem, which can never be sated, or gratified.

One's opinion of themselves, or self-esteem, is therapeutically heightened through dealing with life's trials and tribulations which results in illuminating revelations and subsequently a higher consciousness.

That concept is via the late great Joseph campbell.

Meanwhile, while all of this belly button gazing is going on, someone's reputation is trashed by someone who, if they possessed the discipline, could have just chosen to keep their mouth shut. I think you're over thinking this.

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