Nurses are a strange bunch with superstitions - whether we want to admit it or not. For some of the smartest people on the planet (more so than rocket scientists or...doctors...in some cases), we sure get bent out of shape when someone says certain phrases.
As nurses, we have learned the hard way to never say certain statements. Why? Well, that could be because the first time we said it - or heard it said - we got the "evil eye". Think back to the time you first heard some naive soul say, "WOW!, it sure is quiet today!" "Sure is slow", "Nothing has happened today", "We haven't had a code this week", and comments of the like - just are not acceptable!
If you are an experienced nurse (even with one day of experience), you will be able to testify to what will happen to the unfortunate employee who makes such a claim, right?! Let's just say that person is not the most popular person on the unit!
It is a fact. Some sayings are just taboo! What does that even mean? Taboo is, by definition, a social or religious custom prohibiting or forbidding discussion of a particular practice, or forbidding association with a particular person, place or thing. It is something that is prohibited or restricted by social custom.
We knock on wood if we say we have been having a good week, or we may reach out to touch the face of a beautiful child who is our patient so they don't have a turn for the worse. We cross ourselves and say a prayer when someone mentions the drug seeking patient (not currently a patient) who goes on a rampage when the doctor refuses to order the dilaudid. Therefore, speaking of such topics are prohibited!
So, what other topics is it that we as nurses don't want to hear? What is it that really grates on our nerves? Here are a few sayings...and the rationale behind it!
I interviewed some top notch nurses I know, and here is what they have to say on the subject:
Karen Martinez: "We're slow today." Why? It causes the floodgates to open wide and you will probably never get a potty break the rest of your shift!
Sylvia Nelson: "Our anesthesiologists have a thing against saying a child is calm, because then they wake up like a demon. I will never tell my surgeon I hope their night is quiet!"
Jennifer Collins: "It's been a good day!" That's when the *** hits the fan. Wait until your shift is over and you have given report!
Ashley Elizabeth: "I have a fantastic assignment!" - There is no such thing if you say it before the end of your shift....; "Calling a patient a 'stable vented patient'" will cause them to not be stable for long - you will be running a code in no time; "This patient is an easy stick." Your patient will suddenly become a turnip.
Cherrie Aquino: Telling parents, "Oh, he/she is the BEST IV starter!" Your patient will be a scientific marvel and have no veins.
Elissa Norris: "Don't ever mention the chronic kid (or adult patient) that has a crazy mom (or wife/husband/family member) - inevitably they show up!"
Carol Kaplan: "You should never, ever, repeat the name of a 'repeat offender' patient. You will admit that patient on your shift!"
Diana Montalvo: "The doctor will be in - just a few minutes." The doctor will not even be in the building...maybe not even in the country, since you said it!
Sarah Weishuhn: "As a surgical nurse, we never say, 'WOW!, there aren't any add on cases today?!' Because five minutes later, the bottom will fall out and we will have an open fracture, an appy, and a C-section...NOW!"
Sandra Cambridge: "Never comment on how well behaved a pediatric patient is until they are walking out the door." unless you wish to come face to face with the devil with the parent who has no control or expects you to be the nanny.
We learn to never say words like, 'quiet', 'boring', 'easy'. We never attribute these qualities to our patient(s), or the shift. We have learned, from having to jump in the trenches after these words are uttered, that these words will open up the gates of Hades and set forth a war that will cause you to have to wage battle against until your shift is "supposed" to be over.
We learn to bask in the warmth of silence or calmness that may befall our units without having to think about - much less comment about - the fact!
We never mention that we will be discharging all of our patients and request to leave when we have no more patients to care for....for good reasons! We know what will happen if we do. Not only will you be discharging all of your patients, but you will be the admitting nurse for all of the ones that ED will be sending up - because inevitably, some brickhead in the ED said, "Sure is quiet today!"
Maybe it's just me but it seems like every time a weather system is moving in everybody wants a PRN, call lights/alarms go off more than usual, behaviors increase and people are generally much more restless. Maybe something to do with atmospheric pressure changes? Maybe I'm just crazy? I dunno, but it certainly seems to be a "thing" on my unit.
SubSippi said "When the walls of your hospital come crashing down in flames, and you look up to see the full moon through a hole in the ceiling, and it's shining down on all the frequent fliers you just named...you won't have anyone to blame but yourself. Maybe then you'll come to terms with the power of the "q" word."
Ha ha ha ha!! This is a great thread! I think the superstitions are fun and take some stress off of me and my coworkers when we smile, wag our finger and say "who said the Q word?"
Funny though how superstitious folks are. A few years ago I took my son to the local humane society to get a kitten. There was a little girl there already who had picked out a black cat. It wasn't a kitten but wasn't full grown yet. Her dad was pretty adamant that she couldn't get one that was black. Poor little girl was crying as he tried to get her to pick out another cat.
Superstitions can be fun if folks remember they aren't real.
I am now so superstitious that I forbid my husband to jinx any future plans by saying something positive ahead of time.
I am probably certifiable.
Bwahahaha your husband should meet mine. When I'm on call he'll start out by saying "I probably shouldn't say this, but..." And stop when I give him The Look.
I never have been superstitious, but I have never had two patients die on me in the same day until one Friday the 13th, and I haven't had it happen since. Wasn't the same shift - 0200 that morning and then 2100 the next shift - but it was still a weird coincidence.
Full moon... BAD time to be working. Lunacy at it's height. The word lunatic originally derived from the Latin word Lunaticus originally referred to both epilepsy and madness as diseases caused by the moon. By the 4th and 5th centuries astrologers used the term to refer to neurological and psychiatric diseases. Until at least 1700 it was the belief that moon influenced fevers, rheumatism, episodes of epilepsy and other diseases. It was argued by both Aristotle and Pliny the elder that people with bipolar disorder and those susceptible to mental illness were influenced by the full moon as it caused sleep deprivation and an exacerbation of symptoms. So it can be said that the idea of mayhem occurring at the time of the full moon can be traced back to man's earliest fears.
The other word not to use is the 'Q' word. Anyone who uses that word in the ICU where I work.. let's just say that all Hell breaks loose. The previously stable patient about to be extubated will suddenly develop hyptension, bradycardia and his drains will cease flowing. Requiring multiple ionotropes, fluid resuscitation and a possible reopen for tamponade. Personally I prefer the word 'tranquil'.. the T seems to get the Code out of the danger zone. Just my personal experience...hehehe.
Never suggest that another patient may require more of your time and care, I did this once on a CCU night shift, and the lady I asked to remain in bed, whilst I looked after the man opposite who was acutely ill, promptly had a VF arrest!
Superstitions can be fun if folks remember they aren't real.
montevista
2 Posts
When asked about my private, how should I respond?