wonder how rumors work in a nursing facility

[brotherbear]

I have been a nurse for over 5 years now but it seems like all the effort you do to control rumors, they always end up spreading uncontrollably. I mean give me a break, some minor chit chat level issues sometimes hit the rumor mill and the doctor ends up being called in for it.

For those of you who have been nurses for a while, can you elaborate on how rumors work in a nursing facility, hospital, LTAC, e.t.c. I mean if their are any patterns one must recognize it would surely be helpful. thanks

[loriangel14, RN]

The best response to hearing something you aren't sure is true or something that is no one's business is not to repeat it. It is really hard sometimes but try imagining it was something about yourself that you wouldn't want talked about. So many stories get stretched until they are no where near the truth and people get hurt or bad reputations. I usually know which people you just can't trust as well.If you don't want something of your own spread around, avoid the ones you know are gossips.

[sashamay]

I told a co-worker about a potiental move and to be fair, I did email the boss and let her know of the impending decision.. and suddenly coworkers on the prev shift i hardlly ever see are sayin "So I hear your moving eh?!" And then my boss forget I emailed her....and called me and asked me about it cuz she "heard it" from someone.

surprised me how quick it spread. very weird.. not use to that kinda thing, esp about me. Lol

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Rumors generally come from bored, insecure, unethical people (nurse or not). The best way to control them is don't pay any attention. There's always some sort of payoff for the one who keeps yakking about them :)

[biker nurse]

Usually starts with "Don't say anything but I heard..." and that person tells the next "Don't tell any one but ...." and so on !!

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Whispers in the corner usually mean something juicy is being talked about. I have learned to walk away, though I do have to admit, I wonder what the gossip is. I refuse to partake though, as it usually will lead to trouble.

[brotherbear]

heh Loriangelou14 I hear you well. Some places I've worked at where very bad, you wouldn't even repeat "what you heard" because that'll just be like fuel onto the fire. start there even by you saying factual things. Unfortunately not all the ears listening are educated and they end up generating their own version of what "they heard".

Its the environment we chose to work in. Not always ethical but it's the reality.

[sunbaby0811]

I hate to say it, but rumors/gossip happen everywhere. Until I can escape and go to school full time, I'm working for a government agency (non healthcare). And OH.MY.WORD. The gossip and rumors are enough to drive you crazy! I just ignore and don't partake and that helps (some! LOL). But seriously I hate it!!!!

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

Rumors work the same everywhere. Somebody misunderstands or misrepresents something, then tells uninvolved people about it in hopes of gaining social status, credit for knowledge, or maliciously to hurt the subject(s) of the rumor.

Fighting rumors is like trying to teach a pig to ride a bike. It wastes your time and it annoys the pig.

That said you can either ignore the rumors (boring and uncreative) or go along with them and even confirm and exagerate them. Much more fun and creative, IMHO.

This all applies only if the rumor is about you. Remember, talk is just some vibrations in the air going past you. Never treat talk as if it were made of concrete.

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

After many years of working with catty women (note..I am female too before I get flamed), I have learned to go to work, work hard, take a sense of pride in what I do and go home. I talk very little about my personal life at work and I don't hang out with anyone after work. I do not have a single co-worker as a facebook friend. I am friendly and cheerful at work, but I keep it work related. In other words, I give them no fuel to feed the fire. I admit, I do enjoy some good gossip just for the kick of it, but it rarely gets shared with me as I never have any gossip to share with anyone else - plus I'm too busy getting my job done.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

There are also those people who just love to dream things up and have no clue (or concern) about how it can be hurtful to someone. And, if nothing else, if they have so much time to gossip, maybe there's one too many people staffed.....

[AndiSN]

I really think the biggest reason for it is boredom. When you think of it, most of the people who are involved in the gossip aren't bad people. They just talk for something to do. It's a way to connect with another person. Certainly not a good way to connect but it is a way. I don't by any means think that gossip is good, it's just easy to get caught up in. Most people get caught up in one way or another and just don't call it gossip. They call it being concerned.