Office space etiquette

[nursekoll, BSN, RN]

My office door is just off the main office and mostly I leave it open so that students know I'm here and available. I try to keep my attention off of what goes on in the main office as it doesn't usually concern me. If I overhear something that does involve student health, medications, or other health-related topics, I feel the need to join the conversation and do. I think this really annoys the front office staff. They accuse me of eavesdropping. MY DOOR IS OPEN, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?? Other times, they speak to me and I'm unaware because my desk faces away from my door and they don't call me by name or knock. Sometimes I hear them discussing a non-health related question or topic that I could help answer, even though they haven't asked me and it's hard to keep my mouth shut. Anyone else experience this and how would you react? They do have a radio with music on and speak very softly if it's a private matter. This is just the normal everyday chit-chat that I'm overhearing when I'm not with a student.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Your situation is similar to working in a cubical farm. If you are not part of the conversation, stay out of it 90% of the time. It may be OK to occasionally something like, "Excuse me, I couldn't help but over hearing ... and I know something about that topic that might be of help to you ..." etc. But you shouldn't make a habit of doing that unless it is the culture of the workplace to consider all conversations within ear-shot to be "fair game."

The polite thing is ignore other people's conversations when you work in a communal setting unless they invite you to join. Just "screen their conversations out." It is generally considered rude to pay attention to what others are saying unless you are involved in the conversation.

I've worked in several shared spaces over the course of many years. Sometimes, people will direct their talking to the whole group -- and of course, feel free to join in. But it 2 people are having a 1:1 conversation, respect their personal space.

[Bulldogs, CNA, EMT-B]

My office is also set up this way. The Secretary, counselor principal and I are all in close proximity of each other. Parents are also in and out of the office all day. I try to exclude myself from the conversations around me. Sometimes there is more information that I want or need on certain matters. I keep a fan on or soft music to distract me from everything else.

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

You should work here. They expect me to be part of every office conversation, health related or not, whether I am busy or not. I try to ignore all office conversations until I hear my name.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

My old set up was down a blind end of a hall near the cafeteria, so people had to make it a point to come chat.

Now I'm set up right off the office. When people are having a convo I'm interested in, I mosey over to the desk. Personally, if I was having a convo that was so exclusive that nobody else should participate in....I wouldn't do it up at the front of school!

The reindeer games (you can't sit at my table), they do continue, don't they. Try not to have hurt feels. Remember we're here and you can sit at our table every day....unless it's Wednesday and you're not wearing pink. Then you end up with Old Dude.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Generally, I have learned not to insert myself into conversations unless addressed into them. It keeps me happier to be just a bit in the dark and not go a-looking for trouble. If i need to know about something, the info will find me. There are plenty of people that feel like they need to know everything and make it a point to spread the word far and wide - i have no fear of missing anything critical.

[pedi_nurse]

This is a helpful thread! I've always been tucked away on my own, but the front office is getting a redesign this summer and I'll have a door to the front desk. Great info to keep in mind.

[NurseMom1972, RN]

I sit near the office and hear conversations that I could add pertinent information to, it is SO DIFFICULT to restrain myself. I try. I do, however, forget and laugh out loud when something especially funny is shared, BUSTED!

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Meh. Tell them you've also got their houses bugged...