AIBU to think I don’t singularly have the power to fuck up the ward?

[PeachPRC]

disclaimer: I KNOW it’s ‘unreasonable’ to say the q word as a HCP. My question is whether or not it’s actually literally stupid of me to say that word, ignoring the superstitious element of it.

A relative has taken a place on a nursing course starting soon and it got me thinking about my own nursing degree many years ago.

as a student I made the hideous mistake of saying ‘it’s quiet this afternoon isn’t it?’ and had my head bitten off by multiple registered nurses (for non HCP; mentioning that ‘it’s quiet’ is a mortal sin because that apparently ensures that the ward will suddenly become unmanageably busy). I hadn’t realised until then that mentioning the Q word was an absolute no no and I laughed along and apologised.

this happened maybe 3 times (in different departments in 2 hospitals so no overlap of staff). Honestly, by the 3rd time, I said the Q word on purpose just to see the reaction of everyone else. Each time, I was scolded by the staff because they insisted that me saying that word would ruin the rest of the shift by somehow making it become very busy. I said it once at approx 9am and by afternoon still had a (until then very pleasant) nurse giving me filthy looks across the treatment room. The first time I said it as an ignorant student I was properly told off, almost shouted at, by experienced nurses.

I have nursed for approx 20 years and know now that no one should ever say ‘quiet’ but that’s only because you’ll have your face snapped off by other nurses/ doctors, not because I genuinely think the myth of invoking a bad shift is true. This post isn’t about the jokey ‘haha don’t say that word!’ colleagues, it’s about the staff that TRULY believe that saying a word out loud can ruin a shift. I’d love to hear the reasoning behind that!

To this day, I’m still so surprised that HCP GENUINELY believe that a colleague saying the word ‘quiet’ out loud can wreck the shift and I’d love to know if another HCP can explain why they think that?! I nearly didn’t bother posting this because I assumed I’d get lots of ‘OP don’t you dare ever say that again 😉’ posts, but I’m interested in responses from HCP who truly believe the Q word can destroy a good day. Because as far as I’m aware, that’s a ridiculous thing to think.

Agreed! But as someone said just now, they can’t be “provoked” (!)

It’s replied in a very jokey manner on our ward. I’ve never seen anyone bite anyones head off for saying it or anything of the sort.

Also it’s very rarely really quiet so doesn’t even get said!

Yep, exactly.
OP do think you may have you misinterpreted?

It’s just superstition FFS so you can stop worrying.

I have read every response so maybe you are basing this on that but honestly having worked in many different settings in health and social care it has never been like that.

In nice environments it's used as a way to be friendly.

In nasty environments I am sure it's used as a way to be awful.

People thinking this word is actually magic and has some impact on anything would be very few and far between.

I agree with others, you sound like a dick.

Say it on a full moon, I dare you.

Sadly not in my work. My work is always quiet and some times so quiet, there is not much to to. I coukd go round the office all day saying it is very quiet and nothing will change.

I work in cardiac theatres, so now not have you said the 'Q' word, you've now said the 'D' word -dissection thanks for that, 2 absolute no no's...😲😱

And you @CourtneeLuv sound like a bully who goes around calling people who make innocuous mistakes “dicks”

Seriously? I've worked in many places (none medical) and have never come across this. I fact we often say, "it's quiet today isn't it?", or "should be much quieter next week when the schools go back" etc. What's the big deal?

My god , do you all sit in absolute silence or can any words be spoken? is there a helpful chart on the wall for people from other countries , second language English speakers, or anyone who dares to not know the in-joke before they’ve actually heard it the first time?

so many sad people on this thread

Yes. Pretty much any workplace with unknown variables has that superstition.

This.

And how long a grace period are people allowed to get up to speed with that superstition? Are English-as-second-language speakers allowed any grace?

Or are they leapt upon in the very first instance they say it, by sad folk with nothing better to do than police language in a workplace under the unspoken orthodoxy of “it’s always been this way”.

Yep……I’ve had it said to me and then had a shift full of nightmare jobs.

its a word, best to just avoid saying it just in case!

Superstition is really interesting. Even the most rational, scientific, athiestic humans have them. I can't remember where I read this, but you know when Myra Hindley died? The bed and equipment was disposed of. None of the medical staff wanted to touch or re-use it. It's probably an evolutionary hangover to do with the idea of contagion. Whenever I see a flock of birds, I cross my fingers until I see a dog. Because my grandmother told me to. I don't really believe it does anything or prevents anything. But I'm still uncomfortable if I don't. Why put people on edge when you don't have to?

Yanbu.

Surprised to hear that people in the medical profession are so superstitious. Superstition is just a form of delusion.

Saying the quiet thing is to do with bonding as a group with a common purpose. It is a way of saying "enjoy this, we need some calm before it gets busy. Don't say the word out loud because the universe will notice and correct." It's a way of saying "we are in this together". It is a nice thing, a sweet thing almost. A way for people to look at each other and understand how stressful the busyness can get.

Nobody believes it, and to say you worry about the intelligence of people who say it is quite sad. To be honest you are the one who is missing the point and not trying to understand.

The nippiness is another thing, but OP, I have never come across that and if you have have worked for 20 years as a nurse, I doubt that it has always been met sternly. If that's true you have a bigger problem, and it has nothing to do with superstition.

It's not an innocuous mistake after you've been told.

It is dickish to go around deliberately saying a word you've been told your industry doesn't like.

How bizarre!! And from.supposedly educated professionals as well!!

If you aren't superstitious then you'll never understand why people don't want to tempt fate. I am sure some were angry after you did it the second and third time. Just don't.

I was a nurse for years in different hospitals I never heard of this. Its nonsense anyway.

I used to work in a technical support role and we never used the word there either

Genuinely surprised you didn't

I've worked in quite a few retail outlets and when someone says its quiet, another will say shhhhhh you know what will happen!! And the we laugh because because we know a few certain words can't make a situation happen, just like we know it can't make a genie appear and grant us 3 wishes