I think I will give negative feedback

Boomer MS, RN · Nov 20, 2016

Emergent,

I don't care what anyone's political leanings are, but it is inappropriate to discuss this in front of patients. Those kinds of comments, as well as anything else, are often discussed in front of patients, in my experience. The lack of professionalism by some nurses is astounding. I hope you do give that feedback. The last thing i want to hear when I'm a patient is chatter about what you did/ate/visited/bought/planned in the last 24 hours. Kudos to you.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2016

I was working at a specialty hospital on election night in 2012. I am in a very red state. The vast majority of our older patient population hoped Mitt Romney would win. That night they were in their rooms watching Fox News with a mood of resignation.

My former coworker, an RN from Nigeria, was running into each patient room in an exuberant mood. She was smiling and cheering, "Obama won again!"

I and several coworkers approached her to tell her it is inappropriate to discuss politics with patients, especially in light of ideological differences between nursing staff (most of whom voted Democratic) and the staunchly Republican patients.

Although I still do not think she fully comprehended why she should avoid political discussions within an earshot of patients, she finally stopped openly cheering.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Nov 20, 2016

It is very inappropriate. I never share my views with patients and families Even if I agree with them.

I would do the same thing.

Emergent, RN · Nov 20, 2016

The surgery occurred in a city in my state where most people are liberal. I live in a part of the state with more diverse views. I have some good friends who voted for Trump, who are very reasonable, good people.

It just struck me as so inappropriate to discuss politics when the patient is awake for the surgery, with the annoying assumption that all in attendance naturally agree. Same with religion, or lack there of. They need feedback so they don't totally offend someone in the future.

Sour Lemon · Nov 20, 2016

It sounds like you handled it well at the moment it happened and the situation was resolved. I'd probably bury it in the past as opposed to bringing it back up, but that's because I can think of times when I've let inappropriate comments slip ...more so when I don't realize I'm being observed, but unfortunately, I guess I can relate to the blabber-mouths.

crazin01 · Nov 20, 2016

I agree that things (religious beliefs, political views, how one feels about the recent 'unisex bathroom' issues) that can be extremely polarizing should be refrained from in the workplace. Even when the patient brings it up, I usually attempt to shift the topic to the weather, patients' family or the most appropriate, patient education regarding their current issue.

I think you should mention this in your feedback, as other posters have stated it seems some nurses have no filter and do not understand that personal issues should remain just that, PERSONAL. Although it is somewhat different, if the staff thought you were already sedated they usually feel they can discuss whatever at that point. It's situations like this, that those surveys were meant for.

I hope you're recovering well from your procedure!!!

HeySis, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2016

I would definitely give the feedback. I would also tell them that they stopped when you asked, but that you should not have had to ask. And then I would suggest a refresher in professional communication with patients.

It may not be on this topic, but we all need reminders about things. I think feedback from patients is a perfect way to remind the staff to talk to their patients and not over them. And that "hot button" topics should be a no go.

Buyer beware, BSN · Nov 21, 2016

So the crew was unhappy about the election and that Trump was elected. So I take it from the majority of posters so far that that was a bad thing?

Extra Pickles · Nov 21, 2016

So the crew was unhappy about the election and that Trump was elected. So I take it from the majority of posters so far that that was a bad thing?

that's the wrong take on it. the staff could be as happy or unhappy as they like about the political situation but all that should be discussed in front of a patient being readied for surgery was the patient, or the surgery. It was pre-op not a cocktail party.

DeeAngel · Nov 21, 2016

There is a good reason etiquette books used to recommend that politics not be discussed in general company.

macawake, MSN · Nov 21, 2016

I agree with previous posters that discussing the outcome of the election in front of patients was inappropriate. There are some potentially divisive topics like for example politics and religion that are best avoided altogether in the workplace, especially so in front of patients.

Not to defend the staff who discussed the election, but I do wonder if the fact that the campaign had been so vicious and the voters so polarized might have contributed to the inappropriate conduct. Less than 24 hours after the result was in, I assume many people were still reeling from shock of the election outcome. It might have made people who wouldn't normally talk about things like politics in front of patients become more "loose-lipped" as they were processing the result of the election.

As I've already mentioned, I don't think that politics and religion are ever suitable topics for staff to discuss amongst themselves in front of the patient. But I do think that there are times when staff discussing less incendiary topics in front of patients can actually be beneficial. Of course it depends on the patient, we all have different preferences but as a nurse anesthetist I find that patients often find it calming when the medical team around them are relaxed enough to discuss their dinner plans or child's birthday party or whatever. I've had many regional anesthesia, minimal or moderate sedation, surgical patients express that they get scared when the team is all quiet and focused on the job. Even though I'm talking with my patient, the silence from the rest of the team, makes the patient fear that something's not going well since the team is concentrating so hard instead of talking and sounding like they're having a routine day at work. Some patients certainly prefer this quiet focused on the "task at hand" approach, but some definitely don't.