Going out with your co-workers (Mixing Business with pleasure)

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Hi,

I'm having trouble discerning whether or not it's professional to go out with coworkers or not. I see the pros of it as well as the cons what are your stories? & ultimately do you think it's beneficial or not beneficial to go out with coworkers?

Thank you

Specializes in ICU, trauma.

i go out to the bars with my co-workers all the times, especially after a crazy day or night lol. My unit has a lot of young nurses and we actually get along pretty well with minimal drama. One of my co-workers i would actually consider my best friend.

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Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

I do not hang out with coworkers outside of work unless it is a work related function. I do not like my life revolving around my work, personally. So I have decided separating the two is the best for me and my family.

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It depends. At most of my jobs, I have connected with at least one person and gone to lunch, attended events, etc. after awhile. The older I get, the less interested I am. I enjoy keeping the two separate. Much less drama that way.

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I think it depends on the individual people. If someone is honest and trustworthy I will hang out with them. If someone is a fake snake I dodge them.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I married a coworker. That said, we kept it pretty much on the down-low. Some people actually believed that it was a coincidence we both got married in the same (distant) city the same week.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Transplant ICU, Critical Care.

This is a very interesting subject because it has a lot to do with culture. In Japan, if you go out with your company for the monthly hangout, you are EXPECTED to get plastered with your coworkers, managers, directors, VPs, and senior leadership. The idea is that everyone works together towards a common goal, you make money together, you work hard together, you play hard together. It helps bring everybody together and helps develop a rather robust espirit de corps.

But here in the USA that can be seen as a No No, that going out with your coworkers makes you too familiar, kind of on the same lines as not getting to know your neighbors is now the norm

Spend time with the people that you want to spend time with. As long as it doesn't affect you professional working relationship, there shouldn't be any issues.

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Yes I am friends with some coworkers that i have seen outside of work on occasion. I think it is fine as long as it's a healthy friendship and working relationship

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Specializes in Pre-hospital Critical Care.

I work in a very busy ER that is also a trauma department, and although there is alot of drama, there is also an insane amount of camaraderie. I have noticed ER's and some of the intense or bigger ICU's tend to form bonds along the nurses in a similar sense to that of those in my EMS/FIRE history. I also notice a big difference in which shift. I work nights and many mornings 10-15 of us all go get bloody mary's and mimosas and share crazy stories. The ER docs and even some of the specialists like neurosurgery come too. I think its great opportunities to network and get to know ppl you work with everyday on another level. We all go out fairly often

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Specializes in ICU, trauma.
I work in a very busy ER that is also a trauma department, and although there is alot of drama, there is also an insane amount of camaraderie. I have noticed ER's and some of the intense or bigger ICU's tend to form bonds along the nurses in a similar sense to that of those in my EMS/FIRE history. I also notice a big difference in which shift. I work nights and many mornings 10-15 of us all go get bloody mary's and mimosas and share crazy stories. The ER docs and even some of the specialists like neurosurgery come too. I think its great opportunities to network and get to know ppl you work with everyday on another level. We all go out fairly often

Maybe it's a team work thing? Not saying that floor nurses don't work together but i think they are more independent. there are often times when a patient is really critical and required 3-4 RNS to be at bedside. Not only that but we are constantly asking each other questions about drips or asking what another person would do...etc. Makes us more familiar with each other.

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Some people spend time together outside of work and others don't. For me, I am an introvert who needs time alone. After a day of work filled with contact with other people, I am not interested in going out for a drink after work with some of the others. I am also understanding of very social people who want to have fun too. Some of my coworkers are more social and plan outings together. There is something for everyone, and I don't think I am penalized for not joining in. For people with long commutes and childcare responsibilities, going out involves more trouble than it is worth.

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I would love to myself, but I'm super shy and have social anxiety so it's hard for me to invite people and such. In my last job, I tried, but I wasn't treated nicely there and they all knew each other too long. I'm slowly developing friendships here, but it's a bit hard with my personality.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I attend coworkers' baby showers, wedding showers and birthday parties on occasion. However, I prefer to keep most of my coworkers out of my business.

Once certain people know too much about the personal details of your life, they sometimes use this information against you in a malicious manner. I placed myself in this situation once and wish to avoid a repeat.

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