Nursing Superstitions - Truth or Myth?

Do you throw salt over your shoulder, go out of your way to walk around a ladder, or avoid going out altogether on Friday the 13th? Superstitions can creep up in even the most serious of locations. Whether you’re a true believer in supernatural cause and effect or a skeptic; it’s likely that you’ve encountered widely held superstitions in your lifetime as well as some unique nursing superstitions in your workplace. 

Where do superstitions come from? 

The concept of superstitions has existed for thousands of years, with some common superstitions dating back to the ancient Sumarians (throwing salt over the left shoulder after spilling it) and Norse Mythology (number 13 is unlucky). And despite our knowledge of science, the belief in common superstitions remains relatively popular today. 

It should come as no surprise that medical facilities are not immune to lingering and long-held superstitions —- some that may have even become part of your everyday nursing job routine. Check out some of the silly, strange, and downright scary nursing superstitions we’ve compiled below.

Silly nursing superstitions that may make you laugh or take pause

Never organize a potluck or order lunch delivery

It is said that you should never organize a “pitch in” or order outside meal delivery as a nurse on shift. If you do, you can almost guarantee that your day will become so busy right around the time you are due to eat, you’ll never get a bite. 

Don’t mess with a good routine

Do you have a special spot where you always place your stethoscope, badge, or other items you need for your nursing job? Don’t change it! Changing your routine is a sure way to lose the item or items permanently. According to superstitious legend, they won’t be merely misplaced — apparently you will NEVER see them again. 

Avoid saying the names of frequent patients 

We’ve all encountered those people who need (or think they need) more medical care than others, and some of these people can be difficult at times. Saying their name out loud is a sure way to bring these “frequent fliers” in for treatment. 

Strange nursing superstitions you may encounter or even believe in

Avoid the “Q” word at all costs

This is one of those nursing superstitions that many swear by. If you want to prevent mayhem from breaking out, never say the words “quiet,” “slow,” “easy,” or “calm”. Uttering these words is sure to jinx the day and summon chaos all around. It's best to be very careful with your words — both nurses and parents agree on this one. 

Don’t unmake a prepped room

It happens all the time, you prep for a patient that is not transferred or never makes it to the room. When this happens, don’t — under any circumstances — unmake the room or even turn off the lights. As soon as you do, the room will immediately be needed by another patient. 

Don’t open sterile instruments before absolutely necessary

Preparation in advance is usually a great thing in your nursing job, but prepping too far in advance is said to jinx you and lead to a slow day where your materials are wasted. Another superstition around prepping materials in advance applies to labor and delivery nurses. It is said that prepping C-section materials before they are absolutely necessary, will cause the C-section to happen. 

Avoid working during bad weather or a full moon

This superstition goes back hundreds of years, but there is now some research that actually backs up its claims. According to superstition, bad weather and the full moon increase the chances of spontaneous labor. There isn’t a lot of evidence for labor related to a full moon, but extreme drops in barometric pressure during bad weather and the stress caused by weather events have been shown to increase labor and deliveries. 

Tie a knot to prevent death

When you have a patient who is not expected to live long, some believe that you should tie a knot to ward off death. In fact, it is thought that tying a knot at the bottom right corner of a dying patient's bed sheet will help them last through your shift or through the night. 

Scary nursing superstitions you should disregard at your own risk

Park a code cart near an unstable patient’s room

If you want to ward off evil spirits, let the spirits know that you’re prepared for them. One way to do this is to park a code cart near an unstable patient’s room. It is believed that by doing this, you will keep evil spirits away. 

See a fly — someone will die

According to a commonly held nursing superstition, seeing a fly inside the hospital means that someone will die during your shift. This belief is most commonly held in the ICU, but does make its way to other areas of the hospital as well. 

Open a window after someone dies

If you want to ward off spirits, you must open a window after a patient dies to allow their soul to pass through. Failing to do so may mean they remain behind and haunt the room or the facility as whole. This is one nursing superstition that is more than a little spooky. 

Bad things happen in threes 

Whether it’s related to codes, people quitting, strange illnesses and injuries, or even death — according to legend, bad things always happen in threes. So, be on your guard next time something bad happens because it is believed that it will occur two more times. 

When witching hour strikes, the grim reaper is nearby

Many nurses swear that the middle of the night, around 4 am, is the hour when people tend to die. Oddly enough, there is a time of day when people are more likely to die, but it isn’t 4 am. According to a Harvard University Medical School study, humans are most likely to die around 11 am. 

Whether silly or serious, superstitions are all around us and they are ingrained into many healthcare habits. Next time you encounter a superstition in your nursing job, remember that some have been around for millenia. Even if it doesn’t make sense, it’s ok to feel uneasy about going against nursing superstitions or even to believe whole-heartedly in them. Perhaps there is some truth here after all…

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