Quiet

ADJECTIVE-making  little or no noise, without much activity,slow, without being disturbed.

One of the first ‘rules’ you learn when working in an ER is to never utter the word quiet. Under no circumstances, with regard to any situation, does that word ever get said about the state of the department. It is permanently removed from every ER nurses’ vocabulary. Forever.

It is the equivalent of any hearty four- letter curse word and once said (usually by a new staff member, or someone who is just passing through the department from another area) it evokes a multitude of feelings and comments from staff.

“Oh my God, I wish you hadn’t said that”

“No!!! You didn’t just say the “Q” word did you?! Now we’re doomed!”

“I’m calling in sick right now!”

” I did not just hear that word come out of your mouth!”

“We may all be sitting around the desk, but we are all working!” We are not the “Q” word!”

“If something awful rolls through that door we’re calling you to come help!”

It is not the “Q”word! Now an ambulance is going to roll up with a VSA!”

Shit!! Now you made me say VSA! (massive groans from everyone……)

Quiet

NOUN:an absence of noise, hustle and bustle; silence;calm.

Every ED staff members’ wish and curse.

We’ll save VSA for another post……..