The "Q" Word and Other Mysteries

[Liddle Noodnik]

Found this on Facebook and it made me laugh, I am always shushing people who start to stay the "Q" word (quiet), because usually when someone remarks on how quiet it is, suddenly, it's not.

What are some other things that you say/think? Myths, superstitions, "sure signs" that you know of as a nurse?

And yes, this is what is called a "fun thread" so let's not make it all serious and junk lol. (Except: The Q word one is DEAD serious!)

[aktome]

I work on OB and we have drawers with prenatal charts. We DO NOT open the drawers unless we have to. Otherwise, prepare for a busy night!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

In our grad school we believed that there was something in the air, perhaps in the water or on the chairs, that facilitated pregnancy. The fetococcus, we called it. My adviser and I had our babies the same week.

[inkangel69]

I'm on call right now and it's...well, you know....I'm a hospice nurse - NEVER tell someone a visit won't take long, no matter how stable the pt is. You're guaranteed to be there minimum 3 hours!

[nursefrances, BSN, RN]

Right before your (better late than never) lunch break when you decide to hang that IV antibiotic "real quick" before lunch. Even though it probably could wait until after lunch. You can bet your bottom dollar that the patient's IV WILL infiltrate. You will be spending the next (hungry, stomach growling) fifteen minutes looking for a good vein.

[eyesopen_mouthshut, CNA]

I feel like I'm in one of the Harry Potter books, talking about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named when someone says the "Q" word... Everyone stiffens up and looks around. I swear, one of the RNs throws salt over his shoulder and another grabs her Rosary (should that be capitalized?) and starts to pray. *cue Twilight Zone music.

[PatMac10,RN, RN]

I feel like I'm in one of the Harry Potter books talking about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named when someone says the "Q" word... Everyone stiffens up and looks around. I swear, one of the RNs throws salt over his shoulder and another grabs her Rosary (should that be capitalized?) and starts to pray. *cue Twilight Zone music.[/quote']

Lol! It does seen like that. In fact, that's the way it really is. That word is cursed. Lmbo!

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I always use the term "mellow". The 'Q' word is verboten in my vocabulary!

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

There is no "q" word - there is only the calm before the storm...

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

When I am on-call, I put on my scrubs anyway and go back to sleep on the couch. If I stay in bed - I GUAR-ON-TEE I will get called in.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Saying a frequent flyer's name. They ALwAYS show up right after that.

YES! This is so true. I remember one time when I worked in the hospital, a nurse who used to work on my floor but transferred to the ICU came up to visit. He said the name of a patient he remembered from way back... no sooner did he utter the name that the pager beeped for the admission. Sometimes all you had to do was THINK about a frequent flyer and they'd be there the next time you went to work.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

When I am on-call, I put on my scrubs anyway and go back to sleep on the couch. If I stay in bed - I GUAR-ON-TEE I will get called in.

YES!! ^^THIS ^^

If I sleep on the (lumpy and uncomfortable) couch - I get to stay home. In my bed? Never.

(I'm on call for the PICU right now!!! :) )

The other One True Thing In Nursing: The quickest way to stop continual diarrhea? Order a stool culture.

[FineAgain]

When I worked in EMS, I used to call getting my pj's on "getting ready for work". Now, if there is a chance I will be downstaffed and I stay up to watch late tv, I will absolutely get a call at 4 am. If I go to bed at the usual time, no call. Coincidence? I think not.

Regarding frequent flyers/problem patients, we call them "Beetlejuice" and try not to say it three times in a row!