Too much time on her hands? I think so.

Nurses Relations

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I just started a new position at another hospital. My preceptor introduced me to another nurse whom asked me what hospital I came from and I told her. She asked me if I knew a nurse and gave me her name but I wasn't sure who she was because 1) I am not good with names and 2) I DO NOT get very chummy with co-workers (I've learned the hard way about this). I told her that I might know her and asked her how she looked and she described her. I told her that the description sounded familiar.

Now yesterday, this same nurse told me she talked to that nurse whom told her that I did work there. Really!?! So not only is she a nurse but she is also a private investigator. lol.

What do you think about this? Has this ever happened to you?

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
I go to work to take care of my patients, not make friends. However I am cordial and helpful to my colleagues. I don't consider being professional as being socially lacking.

Not bothering to learn names is disrespectful.

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Specializes in Pedi.
Not bothering to learn names is disrespectful.

That's the weirdest part of this whole story. Who doesn't know their co-workers names? My work has two separate offices. I work in a branch office that is very small. The majority of our staff works in the other office. Some people who work up there I've met only once... but I still know all their names and their roles.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
That's the weirdest part of this whole story. Who doesn't know their co-workers names? My work has two separate offices. I work in a branch office that is very small. The majority of our staff works in the other office. Some people who work up there I've met only once... but I still know all their names and their roles.

Well yeah. I know the housekeepers, ward clerks, dietary staff, maintenence people etc.

Plus we all have to wear ID so it's not like you have to ask their names, just look.

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That's the weirdest part of this whole story. Who doesn't know their co-workers names? My work has two separate offices. I work in a branch office that is very small. The majority of our staff works in the other office. Some people who work up there I've met only once... but I still know all their names and their roles.

I'm the same way...although I work nights I think I know most of the office staff names even though I've only met them once or twice.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I on the other hand have a terrible time knowing names and faces. I recognize people I work with, but out of context have a severe problem with names. No disrespect, no refusing to be social, just something I have struggled with my entire life. I also would not likely be able to identify someone based on a vague description.

I tell my students up front, that I have this problem; and it is totally okay to tell me who you are outside of class and that you are a student of mine. One of the news shows did a whole thing on people who don't do faces/names well, and while I'm not as bad as some they had on the show it is a real thing. One fellow couldn't recognize a photo of his own mother.

To the OP, I still don't think it was a big deal, just a conversation starter; but I do understand your not knowing who she was talking about.

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I'm also bad with names. But I don't take it as a point of pride or claim it's because I'm "professional." I also don't take offense to people trying to start a conversation with me.

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First off, the OP stated that the person asked about a nurse who worked there, not a nurse the OP worked WITH.

Secondly, a conversation usually goes something like "I happend to speak to that nurse I was talking to you about. She works in blah blah unit. Anyways, she.....whatever, whatever"

The only "weird" part of this is that the comment was "she said you worked there." UHM......yes, and...

The OP already SAID that she worked there. The only response to that would be what--"oh, thank you for confirming that with another nurse" ?!?!?!?!

There's a lot of talk about people being private, work is work and personal is personal, and those who choose not to share with co-workers. Doesn't make them less professional. And most learn quickly if they are wanting to share personal lives with co-workers or not. And if one doesn't, it usually has something to do with personal stuff that gets overshared to the point of everyone being more concerned about the personal than the professional.

And no one has any clue if the OP was burnt at the former job to the point that over-cautiousness is the right thing to do in a new position.

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I'm just actually a little envious of the OP. Life must be pretty darned good if this is something that gets you worked up.

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Thank you for your input.

I have chosen to be private and come to work to do what I need to do. In my experience, it is best because I have had female nurses try to "play me out of position" and through me under the bus. I have had a problem with being too friendly because I like meeting new people and getting along and it has caused me pain and trouble on the job. So no! I do not get to know colleagues. lol. I come, say hello to everyone whether they speak back or not, take care of my 4 to 6 patients, give report and go home.

I have a hard time remembering names even with higher ups. But on a positive note, it was best that I didn't know anyone because that is when the bullsh!t started. smh. Do I believe everyone is a troublemaker? Of course not. But I find it is best not to do trial and error in finding out who is and who isn't.

Thanks again for your positive input.

First off, the OP stated that the person asked about a nurse who worked there, not a nurse the OP worked WITH.

Secondly, a conversation usually goes something like "I happend to speak to that nurse I was talking to you about. She works in blah blah unit. Anyways, she.....whatever, whatever"

The only "weird" part of this is that the comment was "she said you worked there." UHM......yes, and...

The OP already SAID that she worked there. The only response to that would be what--"oh, thank you for confirming that with another nurse" ?!?!?!?!

There's a lot of talk about people being private, work is work and personal is personal, and those who choose not to share with co-workers. Doesn't make them less professional. And most learn quickly if they are wanting to share personal lives with co-workers or not. And if one doesn't, it usually has something to do with personal stuff that gets overshared to the point of everyone being more concerned about the personal than the professional.

And no one has any clue if the OP was burnt at the former job to the point that over-cautiousness is the right thing to do in a new position.

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