Nurses: question for you regarding social climate and etiquette of floors?

I was up in a new floor and worked there the entire day. I was shown the ropes by a nurse who kept sharing her sex life and needed me to "open up" and share mine. Well, actually I am not involved with anyone and don't plan on it anytime in the future, so I told her so. She asked if I were getting married or have children. I said, "No". Usually because I am a new nurse, it is a difficult situation when such private info is shared. I am not used to nurses whispering in each others' ears and having private jokes at others' expense--isolation.

What am I to think of all this? Am I overstressed about a usual event that goes on or is it correct that I believe the nurse was unprofessional and inappropriate? I terribly hated the environment on that specialty floor. It felt like a sorority to I did not belong. They made several invitations of parties, outings to each other, checked personal email, etc... Personally, I'd never work there again.

It is all politics no matter what field you are in. If the nurse (or anyone) can get some dirt on you, it gives them power over you. Until you get to know them and know who to trust, it would be best not to discuss your personal life with anyone. Tell them you want to keep it professional and if they can not let it go, you can then tell them some might consider their prying into someone's personal life as a form of harassment. That usually stops that kind of problem right in its tracks.

That's too bad that you had to experience that. I've heard that your situation is common. Perhaps the training nurses receive should include how to behave professionally with coworkers!!!
Good luck to you, hope you find a unit that has a more positive social climate.

No, if you ask me, the other nurse was bordering on sexual harassment. Stay clear of these "hollywood nurses".