Never say "QUIET"

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Apr 12, 2006

We referred to it as "The Q Word" and the person who said it was banished the next shift to working the ER GYN area...because yes it absolutely is true.

The same goes for ordering food. The minute dinner arrives, not one, not 2 but three full arrests and an MVA are guaranteed to roll in.

And don't even get me started on the full moon...

allnurses Guide · Apr 12, 2006

Actually, this is not true - at least in my experience.

I dislike old wive's tales or superstitions - it is ok to play around but not to take them seriously.

I say the "Q-word" every single day I work. Most of the time it doesn't get busy or crazy or anything.

I also walk under ladders, break mirrors on a regular basis, open umbrellas in the house for my 4 year old to play with and run over black cats that cross in front of my car. (jk on most of those;)

I think this is one of the fun folklore things we do . ... but not based in reality.

steph

Dorito, ASN, RN · Apr 12, 2006

I've found it to be a jinx- not just in ER but anywhere. Anyone notice what happens during full moons?

piezo-electricite · Apr 12, 2006

I've found it to be a jinx- not just in ER but anywhere. Anyone notice what happens during full moons?

What happens in full moons?

*p-e*

Katnip, RN · Apr 12, 2006

Yeah I notice what happens during full moons. Mythbusters was riding with one of our ambulance companies last fall during a full moon. We had triple the usual number of psych patients coming in that night.

As far as "quiet" it probably only seems it gets worse when you use the word. Or it gets extremely busy after someone says it, but you get waves like that whether you say it or not. It's fun to tease people about it though.

allnurses Guide · Apr 12, 2006

Yeah I notice what happens during full moons. Mythbusters was riding with one of our ambulance companies last fall during a full moon. We had triple the usual number of psych patients coming in that night.
As far as "quiet" it probably only seems it gets worse when you use the word. Or it gets extremely busy after someone says it, but you get waves like that whether you say it or not. It's fun to tease people about it though.

Right - do people really think that if a person hadn't said "quiet" then that guy wouldn't have run that STOP sign and hit the kid on the bike?

steph

Katnip, RN · Apr 12, 2006

Right - do people really think that if a person hadn't said "quiet" then that guy wouldn't have run that STOP sign and hit the kid on the bike?
steph

I think you just notice the rush more often when someone says it. Because I've worked when we were slammed and nobody was saying the word because we were already busy and just got buried.

There was a resident I loved to tease though because he came into the ER, said it was quiet, and 15 minutes later we were hit with hte 10:30 rush. Of course it was like that everyday at 10:30, but I made him buy me a cup of tea anyway, told him it was his fault.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2006

I agree, ive seen it. Same goes for remaking an open bed, saying outloud it should be a good day. Dont mention your most frequent flyer by name or they will show up for sure.

jillyk*rn · Apr 13, 2006

I agree, ive seen it. Same goes for remaking an open bed, saying outloud it should be a good day. Dont mention your most frequent flyer by name or they will show up for sure.

I agree with MEOW...I hate full moons (everyone I work with too), we don't say the "Q" word, and never, ever mention frequent fliers.

CherRN · Apr 13, 2006

We not only avoid the Q word but the S word also. Someone verbalizing that it is SLOW usually starts the traumas coming !!!!!

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2006

Ha I love this thread! I never used to believe in superstitions, but whenever I say that I hope it's slow so I can study, we get slammed in the lab. It ALWAYS happens the night before an exam, go figure. I have gotten into the habit of knocking on something made of wood if I really need to open my mouth.