Nurses: Do the patients often try to talk to you about politics?

[Samian Q]

I was just really curious about this, since I volunteer at an ICU visiting room, and of course I mostly just sit there and sometimes the patients' relatives will come up to me and talk to me about stuff in general.

Sometimes, some of them go into long-winded discussions on how Obama and socialism are ruining our country. Of course, I'm polite (and make a point of saying that ALL politicians suck), but the liberal in me is :mad:!

So I had to ask, do your patients ever try and goad you into discussing politics with them?

If so, how do you take it? Do you give them your two cents', do you agree with what they say (even if you believe they are way off), or something else?

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

Yeah, then I usually go into a rant about how much I support "Death panels" and they usually shut up... lol, just kidding.

[SHURN]

I really try to keep my mouth shut. I might ask a few question "oh why do you say that?' if it's an opinion I don't hold- mostly because I know I don't know everything! I have learned a few interesting things from my patients that way, on both sides of any debate. Usually though, I just "mmm hmmm" them because sometimes my blood boils!

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

If the pt is a Dem, so am I. If the pt is a Republican, so am I. I nod my head alot and allow venting.

[tthor5220]

I have come to the conclusion the best policy is not to discuss politics, religion, or how you feel about the abortion issue. (And possibly assissted suicide) I too am a lifelong liberal Democrat. And I moved to a red state 6 years ago, so I feel like a lambchop in a piranha tank! And I am predisposed to speaking my mind freely, and it is a huge struggle for me to keep my mouth shut. Better to stick with heated discussions on sports, although sometimes that too, can cause you some major trouble!

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh- not looking forward to this.. I have a hard time biting my toung with all the republican fear mongering..

[silverbat]

I asked the "Who is the President" question, and correct though the name was, I decided NOT to ask that question again. The Patient answered: "The ******* from Arkansas".

I have to wonder about the orientation questions.... Have you ever glanced at the calander after asking the Pt the date? or looked at your name badge yourself?

I have wondered if we are really checking THER orientation, or are we checking ours???????? :)

[Warpster]

It depended entirely on the time and the person. Wingers who wanted to show off the ranting skills they got from AM radio just thought I was an airhead who was probably interested in fashion or pop singers or something because that was just nothing I wanted to encourage and besides, I was really too busy to listen to it.

Then there was the nursing home patient many years ago who had been a presidential speech writer when I was in diapers. I used to pick political fights with him and on those nights, he'd pick himself out of his wheelchair, do his own HS care, and sleep through the night after he'd meekly toddled to bed. I knew his wife socially, so I knew I was on pretty solid ground there, although other staff thought I was being mean to that old man.

If I saw a copy of The Nation at the bedside, I might remark on one of the articles I'd read in it, but that's usually as far as it went. Mostly it was just stuff I tended to avoid, like religion and sex, unless it pertained directly to patient condition. Some people are idiots, some are not, but trying to educate idiots about anything but their health was just not in my job description.

That's really how to stay safe. Just let the idiots expose themselves and move on to what you're paid to do, help them get well. They'll complain about you if you try to teach them anything else and managers who think hospitals should be run like fine hotels won't like it.

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

During my entire nursing career I have adopted the following " I Never discuss Politics, Religion, or sex orientation at work", and this has kept me away from any drama.

[rndenise1959]

I have a policy that I never discuss politics or religion. You are not going to change anyone's mind and are probably going to make someone mad!

[Katie5]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh- not looking forward to this.. I have a hard time biting my toung with all the republican fear mongering..

Herein lies the problem with todays politics. Rethuglicans do not fight fair.

Breeding and encouraging fear mongering helps no one. The partisanship needs to stop- we should be able to bridge the divide. We WILL not always agree, but there are still some commonalities.

[mercedesbattista]

I live in a conservative state so I get comments all the time about politics. We have TV's in patient rooms & it's always Fox news on. I ignore the comments patients & families make as Fox news commentary goes on. I didn't get a 4yr degree to discuss politics. I usually try to change the subject.

[Hoozdo, ADN]

I was in a traveler position at the time of the election. My assignment was

deep into the heart of McCain country. It was where his home is, (and not

his Phoenix home - his real home in boonieville AZ).

I had to ask all of my pts LOC questions, with the reknown "who is the president

question." OMG, what controversy with that question. I had to stop asking it

because of the fear of assault! I NEVER got a straight answer - just outrageous

actions and statements by the pt.

BTW, I didn't vote for McCain but certainly never shared that tidbit.