We have all had a time in our lives where the most unfortunate things have come out of our mouths, and a coworker of mine had one recently, that while it caused an immediate cringe, could be looked back upon later with a chuckle, because we've ALL done it.
We had a successful post code, drowning victim that was lethargic but oriented. While doing an Xray, my coworker stated "OK, hold your breath like you're going under water!"
Thankfully the pt didn't seem to grasp the ridiculousness of that statement, but I assure you we all had that immediate pucker - factor moment! What ridiculously hilarious things have you all said that you wished you could take back, but are still somehow humorous?
Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Critical Care Nursing.
You are all cracking me up! I can't tell you how many times I've had a MVA pt and when pushing them in a stretcher/wheelchair, I'll tell them to keep all arms and legs in because I'm not a good driver. I never learn lol.
Years ago I was a hostess and one day I had really bad cramps. I take this couple to a table, set the menus down and say "Enjoy your periods!" Lol, so embarassing!
When I was a student and were practicing bagging a body, no one wanted to use that word and I casually said "bag it and tag it." All heads turned towards me.
I went to a Christian school in high school and had to give a stand-up biology presentation in front of the whole school.....The word "orgasm" came out of my mouth instead of the word "organism".
The entire school was laughing until tears ran until the principal shut everyone down. I was mortified.
I was at a party having a nice conversation with an Asian lady. After we talked a while, we hadn't been introduced, I said my name is_______, she said "I'm Hazel." I said (blurted), "Oh, what is your real birth name....is that your English name because Americans have trouble pronouncing Asian names." She said, "That's my name.....my father liked Hazel nuts!"
She didn't seem at all offended, we continued to talk, but I felt like an idiot.
When I was a student and were practicing bagging a body, no one wanted to use that word and I casually said "bag it and tag it." All heads turned towards me.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
After a lady partsl delivery in which she tore a little bit, the physician was getting ready to repair her perineum. He was about to give her a shot of lidocaine, and as he's standing between her legs, I said "Okay, you're going to feel a little prick in your lady parts." I remember the look he gave me as I realized what just came out of my mouth.
I was at a party having a nice conversation with an Asian lady. After we talked a while, we hadn't been introduced, I said my name is_______, she said "I'm Hazel." I said (blurted), "Oh, what is your real birth name....is that your English name because Americans have trouble pronouncing Asian names." She said, "That's my name.....my father liked Hazel nuts!"
She didn't seem at all offended, we continued to talk, but I felt like an idiot.
Really though, Don't feel bad. I get questions like that sometimes. It's either that or people ask me "so where are you from?" They are 99% of the time trying to tactfully find out if I was born in the country or not. I didn't realize this my entire 22 years on earth until recently when I asked my friend if they ever get asked that. It turns out that they don't.
As a student in inpatient psych rotation, other student mentioned having patients run "suicide" drills since they had so much energy! Still makes me crack up thinking about it!
After a lady partsl delivery in which she tore a little bit, the physician was getting ready to repair her perineum. He was about to give her a shot of lidocaine, and as he's standing between her legs, I said "Okay, you're going to feel a little prick in your lady parts." I remember the look he gave me as I realized what just came out of my mouth.
There was a nurse that was asking questions from the database, not paying attention, asked the patient if they were pregnant. Problem was the patient was a guy! This caused an uproar and a complaint from the patient and his family wanting a different nurse. This lead to more problems for said nurse where a formal investigation ensued of her work performance and she ended up being fired due to psych problems that impacted her ability to do her job.
Christy1019, ASN, RN
879 Posts
You are all cracking me up! I can't tell you how many times I've had a MVA pt and when pushing them in a stretcher/wheelchair, I'll tell them to keep all arms and legs in because I'm not a good driver. I never learn lol.
Years ago I was a hostess and one day I had really bad cramps. I take this couple to a table, set the menus down and say "Enjoy your periods!" Lol, so embarassing!