"Fixin' to die"

chacha82, ADN, BSN · Dec 23, 2016

Fixin, sit a spell, hear tell, carry, (instead of bring or take). I reckon, I'd not like to, usual suspects and known criminals.

Them things, hot it up, be wicked enough, a fat lot, Jesus Mary and Joseph and all the saints preserve us

Right nuisance, shouldn't take notice...all these things I'm sure I said in the last week or two. Southern/Irish hybrid vocab.

emmy27 · Dec 23, 2016

A Yankee transplant to the deep south here to confirm yet again that this is a completely normal colloquialism, a perfectly normal way for someone from Tennessee to speak, and is no weirder or more ignorant than somebody up north saying "I thought he wasn't gonna make it."

sevensonnets · Dec 23, 2016

And it is not a reflection of one's intelligence. I am not ignorant for occasionally using the term.

allnurses Guide · Dec 23, 2016

Fixin, sit a spell, hear tell, carry, (instead of bring or take). I reckon, I'd not like to, usual suspects and known criminals.
Them things, hot it up, be wicked enough, a fat lot, Jesus Mary and Joseph and all the saints preserve us
Right nuisance, shouldn't take notice...all these things I'm sure I said in the last week or two. Southern/Irish hybrid vocab.

Those are good! But I've always said Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. :up:

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Dec 23, 2016

I did read the story,I also know that terms such as "fixin' to die" "circling the drain" etc.I also know it is "regional".My point is it makes her sound ignorant.We nurses continue to strive to be recognized as professionals.I would th ok no anyone with even a minimum of education would put their best foot forward during an interview and use proper English.I guess it's my issue.

The whole article talks about how she saved his life. I hardly think this is an example of a nurse sounding ignorant or an article painting nurses in a bad light.

djh123 · Dec 23, 2016

I don't think regional speech thingies necessarily make someone sound ignorant. In fact, I think it's kind of boring that the country has LESS of this stuff than it did 50 years ago (yes, I've skimmed an article or two which state this).

For another example: if I hear an African-American person from Louisiana (or maybe some other southern states) say 'ax' when I know they mean 'ask', I don't think they 'sound stupid' - it's just the way people talk in some places.

A past aquaintance mocked me for saying 'I'm munna' (imagine it slurred into one word) '... look into that' ... when I mean 'I'm going to'. Well, I'm not an idiot either - it's just the way people say it sometimes where I grew up.

Jules A, MSN · Dec 23, 2016

What a great holiday time article. It is nice to read about a family so appreciative of a nurse's care. I have only cared for one pediatric stroke patient and had no idea it was so prevalent. Good information for us all.

From School Nurse Assumes Sick Kid She'''s Called to Help Has the Stomach Flu. One Look Has Her Calling 911:

"According to the National Stroke Association, pediatric stroke is among the top ten causes of death in children. However, because children have trouble communicating their distress, the usual stroke symptoms might be overlooked. In addition to using the FAST warning signs (drooping Face, inability to raise both Arms, slurred or strange Speech, Time to call 911), they recommend watching for the following symptoms:

Sleepiness
Severe Headaches
Vomiting
Dizziness
Loss of Balance/Coordination
(In infants) - Seizures, tendency to use only one side of the body"

WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN · Dec 23, 2016

"Fixin' to die" is probably perfectly normal and common speech where she is from. Saying she sounds ignorant for using her typical phrases is pretty judgemental, in my opinion. Where she is from and how she speaks has nothing to do with her competence or professionalism.

I agree, and thank you.

OP,

I'm of average to above average intelligence and this phrase is in my vernacular. Colloquially it is so common that I almost forget not everyone says or appreciates the phrase. But by criticising the nurse who adequately assessed and intervened you are not showing her ignorance but yours. Cultural sensitivity is part of the professionalism you seek.

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 23, 2016

It's so funny that the majority of you disagree.The members of this board have slammed posters for spelling and grammar to the point that they left.And to call me names because I hold a differing opinion just proves your own ignorance.

I stand by my opinion.I would not say to a family member "your dad is circling the drain" or " fixin'to die".I would not report it to a physician,I would not use it publicly especially during an interview.

Let's talk about " cultural awareness".It is a regional colloqialism. No place for it in this context in my opinion.Thanks for yours,no need to call me names.

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Dec 23, 2016

I don't care either way. I just think there are more important battles to pick and bridges to die on.

Libby1987 · Dec 23, 2016

Wonderful story and I find regional colloquialisms endearing, the kind hearted ones.

I wonder what question this answer was in response to, "I treated Isaiah like he was my own child.â€

CCU BSN RN · Dec 23, 2016

I do wish that when an RN is interviewed by a news outlet, he/she would attempt to speak in a polished and professional manner. Don't use slang. Don't give God all the credit. That boy lived because you were highly educated, competent, and professional.

I admit I felt the same as the OP when I read the article: 'this is why people think nurses are dumb' 'this will hurt the professional image that we're trying to portray'

I understand that 'fixin to' is perfectly normal verbage in parts of this fine nation. I don't think someone is dumb for using regional dialect.

I think it's dumb to give an interview to a news outlet using regional dialect, especially when you are being identified as an RN.