Question for nurses working in various ICU settings

[karenlm]

I interviewed for a position on a cardiac intensive care unit today, and was presented with (what I though) was an unusual question. They asked me how I would fit in with a "crass culture;" and then when on to explain that the nurses on their floor are often crude and crass while in the patient's rooms as a way to cope (stating that the patient was not conscious and could not hear). They assured me (during the question and then later in the interview) that this was the typical culture of any ICU environment. I did not believe it was wise to argue with them about whether or not they knew for sure that the patient could hear, since hearing is typically the last thing to go, so, my honest response was that I had worked in environments where the workers adapted similar coping mechanisms, and that I seemed to have a non-judgmental way of encouraging others to make better choices. I have had others remark to me after having the opportunity to get of getting to know me that I seem to bring out the best in them. It just now occurred to me that they may have been testing my reaction (though I am not sure). My question is: do you work in an environment where making crude remarks about the patients in their rooms the norm? Thank you for your responses. :-)

[ausrnurse]

Extremely unprofessional and yes, the patients can hear you. It's not on.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Absolutely unacceptable - in any setting.

[brownbook]

I hope your post is an early April Fools joke or you are just trying to get a good thread going by posting something outlandish?

I refuse to believe "they" (I assume educated nursing professionals) would say anything like this.

[karenlm]

This is not an April Fools. Hopefully, they were just testing my response (which makes me wish I had said something about how the patient can indeed hear). "They" were the manager of the floor, and the CS. I was rather disturbed by the question, but took them at their word at the time. It may have been a trick question. I wanted to be sure this was NOT the norm; I hope to move into an ICU environment because my desire is to be in a position where I can make a difference and be there both for the patient and their family.

[chrisrn24]

I hope it was a trick question!! That is unprofessional. I would've said "I am fine with people finding humor in things but if it becomes crude or unprofessional I would speak up and encourage them to stop."

[RNperdiem, RN]

This is certainly not the norm in any unit I have worked in. Crude remarks in front of the patients would never be tolerated where I work; we tend to be protective of our patients.

Coping is a poor excuse for behavior that unprofessional. I hope they were testing your reaction.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

NO...I was asked how I dealt w/ strong personalities b/c ICU's can attract strong personalities, but have never encountered unprofessional behavior like you describe.

[JeanOfAllTraits]

I work as an ICU float nurse and though there are a few bad apples in every tree, but that is NOT the norm. In fact, the first thing I was told when I came to my current hospital, was that here, we treat our patients the way we'd want our families treated because they're somebody's family. I certainly hope they weren't serious. If they were, I hope they get someone in to change the culture!

[weirdscience]

They were testing you.

[jm394, RN, CRNA]

ICU nurses do often have a dark sense of humor, but most are professional enough not to say crude things in pt's rooms. I always assume they can hear me and behave accordingly. It's how I would expect the nurses taking care of my own family to act.

[8jimi8ICURN]

Did you get the job?