When Your Patient Wants To Talk Politics

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I guess this could apply to any part of life, but just curious how everyone handles it when your patient wants to talk about politics. I typically try to redirect the subject back to the care I am providing, but sometimes you have to stay in a room for one reason or another and they just won’t stop. So does anyone have any good tactics since this is a topic that just won’t go away?

38 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

Too bad for us men.

In my four decade career, I never had to deal with a flirtatious female.

Not once.

I figured it was because women don't have hormones and never behave inappropriately.

I wouldn't apply "never" to the actions of anyone. Women are humans not glowing saints. Women can act inappropriate.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
7 minutes ago, DesiDani said:

 Women are humans not glowing saints. 

I'm having a case of cognitive dissonance here.

I have to go now.

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50 minutes ago, NutmeggeRN said:

I always say

"Welp, my momma always told me to never discuss politics and religion or money at the table...and I do the same at work!"

I love this! Always my go to!

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

the only time I ever got ruffled/rattled was when I went to change a guy's gown and he had a giant swastika tattoo on his chest. He called me a J** Hippie because I have a Grateful Dead badge reel holder. 

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Specializes in LTC.

You don’t. Just say “I don’t talk religion or politics at work.” Or just straight up say “hey, I’m really not comfortable discussing politics at work as it is unprofessional”.

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11 hours ago, Davey Do said:

I'm having a case of cognitive dissonance here.

I have to go now.

I mean, don't deny me the right to be naughty?

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Specializes in Oncology, ID, Hepatology, Occy Health.
16 hours ago, DesiDani said:

Oh I believe you. A gay man being sexually harassed by another gay male is still the same. Same for lesbians too. Such complaints are not taken seriously by lgbt

It's not specific to LGBT. It's not taken seriously enough in all circles. If anything I would say many LGBT people are sensitive to this because of the homophobic abuse many of us have suffered.

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On 1/12/2021 at 11:39 PM, DavidFR said:

It's not specific to LGBT. It's not taken seriously enough in all circles. If anything I would say many LGBT people are sensitive to this because of the homophobic abuse many of us have suffered.

True

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On 1/11/2021 at 2:17 PM, KC,RN said:

OMG that might be the only thing worse!

Yeah, I had that for about 8 yrs straight with my first hospital nursing job. Doc admitted patient spent 9 out of 12 months in the hospital-most of it sympathy care for mother that would go MIA before discharge for close to a month. Every time I (or any woman) went in his room got the “am I gonna get lucky?” When we pulled the curtain or any other disgusting comments. Eventually it would turn into a 2 person change to avoid get grabbed. Politics in that room? Hell, bring it on! I’ll grin and nod to anything as long as you don’t try to touch or smell me!

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3 hours ago, NurseSpeedy said:

Yeah, I had that for about 8 yrs straight with my first hospital nursing job. Doc admitted patient spent 9 out of 12 months in the hospital-most of it sympathy care for mother that would go MIA before discharge for close to a month. Every time I (or any woman) went in his room got the “am I gonna get lucky?” When we pulled the curtain or any other disgusting comments. Eventually it would turn into a 2 person change to avoid get grabbed. Politics in that room? Hell, bring it on! I’ll grin and nod to anything as long as you don’t try to touch or smell me!

That’s awful. As I got more experienced as a nurse I learned to say “I am a nurse and I am a professional, you are not allowed to touch me. I expect to be spoken to the same way I am speaking to you.” It doesn’t always work, but at least they get the drill when the see me if I keep repeating it.

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All patients say crazy stuff doesn't matter what political side they are on. They first start by saying something sane then a few seconds later morph into full on rant! So sure it is nice to have that pep squad/choir for a few flitting moments until it gets kooky. You get that "something ain't right" with the patient in 290A vibe or you have a feeling that they aren't really saying anything in their eloquent political rants.

So I avoid ALL political talk even with those who may be on the same political side as me.

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Double posted

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