New Nurses, please watch your diction and filler words

[Wrench Party]

I was in a continuing education class at my facility today and we had a Q and A session after the lectures. I facepalmed almost the entire time listening to some of the younger nurses speak- the use of "umm" and "like" after every other word. I know these are otherwise intelligent, competent nurses excelling in their respective fields, but their diction makes them sound unsure of themselves and ruins the good information.

I hope their patients can look past the filler words, the younger generation grow out of it, and/or I become immune to it.

This would be of particular note to those interviewing, those talking to nurse leaders, and those trying to move up the clinical ladder.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Overlooking the sweeping stereotypes, do you have a problem with "new" nurses, "younger" nurses, or the "younger generation" altogether?

[Wrench Party]

'No' to all three accounts. I just think this particular pattern of speech conveys a lack of professionalism, particularly jarring to not-new and not-young nurses. Not trying to turn this into a "unless you talk like me, you're a horrible nurse" thread.

[TU RN, DNP, CRNA]

But umm dont you like get that were like... not as good or or as smart or as like.. professional as yous older guys??/ were just here to uhh look pretty and not know nothin duh!

[itsmejuli]

Maybe they were nervous and unsure of themselves speaking in front of more experienced people

[Emergent, RN]

I'm older and use 'you know' and 'um' a lot. I'm not gifted in public speaking. I also have a slight stutter.

I don't like it when people make fun of my speaking, I'll tell you that much.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

No good deed goes unpunished, right?

IMO, the OP was only offering insight in hopes that it would have some benefit to others. OP is just pointing out that perception is what shapes our "reality". No matter how distasteful it may be - human beings are hardwired to form lasting opinions based on our own interpretations of what we see and hear, even if that information is very superficial.

“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.”

― Aldous Huxley

[llg, PhD, RN]

The OP makes a good point. In order to be a good nurse, it helps to have strong verbal communication skills. Nurses need to communicate with confidence and authority to lots of people -- patients, physicians, etc. -- and if a nurse's communication style is weak, he/she is less likely to be effective.

It is something many of us need to work on -- regardless of our age.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I feel the same way about how the locals talk where I relocated to. Everyone speaks a little differently - trying not to judge others based on their particular verbal quirks is important. I swear, though, the next time I hear, "I'm fixing to [insert task here]" or "this ain't my first rodeo" come out of another nurse's mouth, I am going to pull my hair out by the roots! Or how about "might can," as in "He might can do that." What the heck is that butchery of the English language?! What's wrong with words like possible or probable? Are they too many syllables to pronounce? (Just kidding... mostly.)

I'd rather hear "like" and "umm" all day than "might can," personally. At least inserting the word "like" doesn't usually ruin grammar of the entire sentence. People who use "like" as a filler typically don't write that word in progress notes, but I have seen "might can" in charting before... it's a little scary. I think every nurse needs to work on communicating like a professional... whether the correction needed is losing "like," "umm," or "might can."

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

I concur. I'm quite young (22), but I tend to find filler words inserted into literally EVERY sentence to be very distracting and unprofessional. Using them every once in a while, I don't mind. I use them too but not constantly. I understand that this generation has normalized this way of speaking, but it frustrates me to listen to what they are saying when all I'm really doing is counting in my head how many times they've said the word "like" throughout the conversation. Please tell me I'm not the only one who does this...

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

But umm dont you like get that were like... not as good or or as smart or as like.. professional as yous older guys??/ were just here to uhh look pretty and not know nothin duh!

People who use poor grammar or diction in professional situations are not as professional as people who use proper grammar and diction, don't have a wad of gum in their mouth and make an effort to appear alert and interested. It has nothing to do with age or beauty. If you're careless with your communication on the verbal OR written level, you look less intelligent, less educated, less competent and less promotable. Also, you may find that the physicians and surgeons don't take you as seriously as your more professional colleagues.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Maybe they were nervous and unsure of themselves speaking in front of more experienced people

While that is certainly true, it would behoove them to learn to speak professionally even if nervous and unsure of themselves.