In some cases I believe that these accroynms are okay. Its the one that are making fun of death that upset me. Like "Dead dosn't know" it! I just think that is appaling. how can nurses say this about other people. I aggree that nurses need to let off steam and relax expecially after a hard case but not to make fun of death or someones interpertation of reality. In Australia people hold nurses in such high regard and I couldnt imagine any of my co-workers saying this about any patient. Its disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!
Amber, I'm sure you find all of this very disconcerting. I would have also, when I was a student. After several years of nursing, I find it hilarious. There is no way to give you the perspective that only experience can. Allow me to assure you that the same nurses that laugh at things you find horrid are the same ones that save people's lives every day through the skills, knowledge and intuition that have developed along with the cynicism and nearly lethal sarcasm. Let's face it, when you go from caring for a child that has just died to caring for a drug addict who has been cut open by the same crazy girlfriend for the thirteenth time (this actually happened, btw) you tend to view the junkie in a less than favorable light. When confronted by the extremes of human behavior that tend to manifest in the E.D., your sense of humor tends to go to extremes. Gallows humor is endemic to the E.D. Remember, sometimes it's better to laugh than cry.
Oh please, if it is still possible to get a list of these that would be great!
In fact, I'm sitting here taking a study break - studying for the second to the last test before I graduate in Dec!!!!! The laughing has rejuvenated me - I think I can make through one more hour. This may be my highest scoring test ever - I'll keep you all posted.
In the book called "House of God", they had tons of acronyms. It's been awhile since I read the book so don't remember them all but they used an expression in the book that guides me in my nursing today.
It's: "Gomers go to ground". Meaning, watch the sick and old as they can fall and get hurt so never turn your back on them. Surely if you do, they will "go to ground".
Earlier I read somebody's shock that we say these things. The really sad part is that people become these things in the first place! It's not that we're insulting the patients, we're simply observing patterns of human behaviour.
Amber_student_nurse
57 Posts
In some cases I believe that these accroynms are okay. Its the one that are making fun of death that upset me. Like "Dead dosn't know" it! I just think that is appaling. how can nurses say this about other people. I aggree that nurses need to let off steam and relax expecially after a hard case but not to make fun of death or someones interpertation of reality. In Australia people hold nurses in such high regard and I couldnt imagine any of my co-workers saying this about any patient. Its disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!