what do you talk about at work?

Nurses General Nursing

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Reading a recent threads re: problem co-workers who share way tooooooooo much personal info. What do you talk about at work. (we seem to talk about what take-out place we should order from-starting from eary in the shift) and then there are the many who talk about their latest food plan/diets.

so spill it...what are the hot topics at your place of work and what do you think about it, positive negative an/or neutral. What topics that come up daily make you want to go hide out somewhere/anywhere else?:yawn:

Specializes in LTC.

We talk about RN programs a lot, our classes, happenings of the facility, our favorite patients(alive and dead lol), food, the weather, how poorly the staffing is, diets and anything else that comes to mind.

When I first started the nurse I was training with told me to "stay out of the gossip".. I still stay out of it to this day. I only stick to the topics above. I try to keep information about my life outside of work on the low. If someone asks me I will answer but I don't bring up what I do on my nights off.

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Specializes in ICU.

It's really a bad idea to assume that the people that you work with are your friends. They aren't. They are your business partners or business contacts and that's all. There will always be someone who enjoys stirring the pot. I have learned the hard way to never confide in anyone about anything in my personal life. Even the manager loves to gossip.

Gossip creates distrust and hard feelings that last for years.

So talk about the weather, children, books, movies, current events but never ever talk about your coworkers. Focus on your job. Set a good example of professional behavior.

You have no friends in nursing.

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Specializes in Primary Care and ICU.

I worked in an icu and last night I was the only female there. I learned what a south Dakota skinny dipping is and a scandanavian pancake - and trust me - you don't wanna know.

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Specializes in OB, Med/Surg, Ortho, ICU.
It's really a bad idea to assume that the people that you work with are your friends. They aren't. They are your business partners or business contacts and that's all. There will always be someone who enjoys stirring the pot. I have learned the hard way to never confide in anyone about anything in my personal life. Even the manager loves to gossip.

Gossip creates distrust and hard feelings that last for years.

So talk about the weather, children, books, movies, current events but never ever talk about your coworkers. Focus on your job. Set a good example of professional behavior.

You have no friends in nursing.

Said like a cynic. It sounds like you've had a bad experience, fortunately, I have not. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.
It's really a bad idea to assume that the people that you work with are your friends. They aren't. They are your business partners or business contacts and that's all. There will always be someone who enjoys stirring the pot. I have learned the hard way to never confide in anyone about anything in my personal life. Even the manager loves to gossip.

Gossip creates distrust and hard feelings that last for years.

So talk about the weather, children, books, movies, current events but never ever talk about your coworkers. Focus on your job. Set a good example of professional behavior.

You have no friends in nursing.

Speak for yourself. Many of my longest lasting friendships and more than one of my romantic relationships have been with people who I first met as a coworker. So far, and I have been in the work force for 37 years (including 3 years as a nurse), I have not experienced any negative repercussions from forming friendships with co-workers. That doesn't mean I become friends with all of my co-workers, but I think I have a pretty good sense of who I can trust with my confidences, and who I can't. So far so good anyway. I'm sorry to hear that your experience has been different!

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Specializes in Primary Care and ICU.

This thread has gotten negative. I'm buying everyone beers .

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

I enjoy being a part of the smack talking once NFL season starts. I like to talk about my puppy and LOVE to hear stories about my co-workers' dogs. Occasionally I will ask my peers about a new recipe that they have tried, or ask for tips on how I can make my risotto LESS glue-y.

Basically, I like to talk about things completely unrelated to work, but only when appropriate.

I can't stand it when someone talks my ear off about who is dating whom in the celebrity world, or what so-and-so was wearing on the red carpet. I don't give a rat's posterior about gossip in the workplace. I. Don't. Want. To. Know. Talk to me about a play featured on "C'mon Man!" during the pre-game show on Monday nights, and I will be interested!

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
This thread has gotten negative. I'm buying everyone beers .

I'll take a Sam Adams Seasonal. Thanks!

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One of the reasons I loved night shift. We were a small group and we loved movies, books, food, crafts..as months turned into years we shared our tears and triumphs but usually that was when we'd go out to breakfast cause we knew one of us was hurting, burned out, or having a great moment that needed celebration. I remember bein so tired I was falling asleep while holding my fork and I'd jerk awake when I dropped it. We had little conflict and by night 2 would get the giggles! Our asthma pts would be hyped up from the theophilline drips and resp tx. so they'd hang out too. We got the few peds pt's on our unit so there was usually a little sweetheart who got passed around. Nowdays, it's harder to make friends because there is very little downtime, and way way way too much stress. (higher all around acuity and shorter stays.

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it depends who is working. there are a few nurses who seem to be friends outside of work with each other. maybe 2-3. some shifts no one talks to anyone. seriously. no one. everyone sits on their own and only talks to ask for help with patient care. no one seems to get too personal.

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It's really a bad idea to assume that the people that you work with are your friends. They aren't. They are your business partners or business contacts and that's all. There will always be someone who enjoys stirring the pot. I have learned the hard way to never confide in anyone about anything in my personal life. Even the manager loves to gossip.

Gossip creates distrust and hard feelings that last for years.

So talk about the weather, children, books, movies, current events but never ever talk about your coworkers. Focus on your job. Set a good example of professional behavior.

You have no friends in nursing.

you have no friends any where. peroid. the books/movies you read can be used against you..... as can your thoughts on current events. maybe even the type of weather you like......... if someone wants to stir the pot, they might even make something up and add their own ingredients....... where do all these posters find the time to talk anyway? i need to apply to these places!

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

When I work with the nurse I was with today the two of us have a habit of often breaking out in song-usually showtunes-but anything that is applicable to the situation at the moment works for us..We crack each other up all of the time-the residents get a kick out of it. Oh-we can't really sing very well.......

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