Thursday, August 12, 2010

Nursing Lingo

Work is a very interesting environment- often with many different nationalities working together. On my floor we have Canadians, Americans, Australians, Kiwi's, Filipinos, Czechs, South Africans, Jordanians, Egyptians and Saudis. This can make communication quite interesting. Phrases that I took for granted can mean different things- or nothing at all depending on where one is from. For instance vital signs are referred to as "obs." Report is called "hand over." My personal favourite is something that I didn't think could really be called anything else. BM or "bowel movement" (for those non-nurses out there) is referred to as "bowel motion", BO does not refer to body odour but "bowels open" or BA "bowel action." I pretty much giggle like a school kid every time someone says any variation of these phrases.

2 comments:

  1. LOLOLOL..that's too funny. Sounds like you are having a wondeful time!!! I wish I could join you. Do you think you will stay for another year? Can you renew for a shorter time? Hope to hear from you soon.
    Take care
    Hazel (your old travel buddy)
    hazangel69@yahoo.ca

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey girl!! Great to hear from you!! Not sure if I will stay another year, but it has been a great experience both personally and financially!! I can renew for 3 months at a time, but you can't leave the country then :(

    ReplyDelete