Uhhhh, That's Kinda Personal

Forest2 · Dec 22, 2017

One of my nurse friends said a patient asked her how she could have sex since she was so overweight, she said she told him, I just spread my legs and do it like everybody else. That was the worst one I ever heard of.

Farawyn · Dec 22, 2017

OOOOOOOf, on the last one, OP.

My co-worker had a belly, and it was the DOC that announced he didn't know she was pregnant. She wasn't, and her "baby" was 3.

I've had comments made, like, "doesn't your back hurt after lugging those boobs around on your frame, dear?"

(old, very concerned, lady, not a young male)

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Dec 22, 2017

I work in a very religious, very conservative small town. I've become great at sidestepping religious/"what church do you attend" questions.

CelticGoddess, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2017

I recently had a med tech at a facility I was at to see a patent (I'm a hospice nurse) ask me when I was due. I told her when I was done with menopause.

I had a patient tell me that I should be at home giving my husband 'head'. Yes, he used those exact words.

I also had a dementia patient grab my arm, pat my hand and tell me "you really must bring joy to your husband". She then goes on to explain how she gave joy to her husband, and it involved marital relations throughout the house.

cleback · Dec 23, 2017

I had a patient ask me if I was happy with my fiance. He then proceeded to tell me I knew where to find him if it didn't work out.

In all fairness, I ask about bowel habits and passing gas in detail all day every day so maybe it's karma.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 23, 2017

I love my little old ladies with inappropriate questions! They mean well. When we get that age, we can do it. Creepy old guys are a different story.

I always feel bad (relieved?) I am an older nurse, a little overweight, so I don't have to put up with the inappropriate sexist comments and being hit on and young men wanting "sponge baths" when they are perfectly capable.

I usually let a lot go. Politics is something that is more difficult to side step. I feel bad for some of my colleagues. I live in the South and we have a very diverse workforce. Some of the more "good ole boys" and their wives are very racist and it breaks my heart.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2017

I don't like it when a patient or family member asks me, "how long have you worked here?" Its never "how long have you been a nurse," but "how long have you worked HERE?" Or "where do you live?" "You'll be getting off at such-and-such a time." They don't know when I'll be getting off work, and they sure don't need to know where I live! I guess I'm just sensitive; it makes me feel like a factory worker punching a time clock instead of a degreed professional.

szepgirl · Dec 23, 2017

Not really a personal question, but personal nonetheless.

Years ago in an aged care facility I worked at, one of the residents was a 100-and-something year old lady. I was assisting her to shower, did her feet and back etc, then I asked if she needed help with anything else.

She said 'No... I wash up as far as possible, then I wash down as far as possible, then I wash possible last (pointing to her private area.)' then she gave the biggest sigh, and looking down at herself, said 'And I've lost all my feathers, too!' She looked so forlorn, but I really had to struggle not to laugh!

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 23, 2017

I don't like it when a patient or family member asks me, "how long have you worked here?" Its never "how long have you been a nurse," but "how long have you worked HERE?" Or "where do you live?" "You'll be getting off at such-and-such a time." They don't know when I'll be getting off work, and they sure don't need to know where I live! I guess I'm just sensitive; it makes me feel like a factory worker punching a time clock instead of a degreed professional.

I think you are reading WAY too much into this- it seems to me like small talk. Nothing more. Nothing less.

guest52816 · Dec 23, 2017

A few months ago, a patient asked me if I was married. I replied: No, I am divorced. She then went on to ask if I had children, and again, I replied: No. So the next thing out of her mouth was: Is that why you are divorced, because you don't have children?

I said: No. I'm divorced because you should love the person you are married to.

She responded: Why did you marry him? Were you drunk?

I smiled ever so sweetly at her, looked her in the eye and replied: I must have been!

End of conversation.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Dec 23, 2017

I work in a SNF where some of our residents have been there for years and will continue to be there until they die. The staff is truly their second family so they don't feel in the least bit uncomfortable asking personal questions. I don't mind, we are their family and if they want to hear how my husband and kids are doing, or hear the latest trouble my puppy has been getting into that's fine. I figure I know a lot about them and their families, so there's nothing wrong with them knowing a little bit about mine.