These eerie sensations are often accompanied by many superstitions that have permeated the hospital and nursing culture. In this blog post, we will delve into these peculiar beliefs, examining their origins, meanings, and enduring appeal.
Common Hospital Superstitions
Hospitals are often associated with death, illness, and the unknown. It is shown in horror films as a place of hauntings. Staff working in hospitals have some of their own superstition and fears. These beliefs, passed down through generations, have taken root in the minds of healthcare professionals and patients alike.
Some of the most common hospital superstitions include:
Ghostly encounters:
Tales of ghost sightings and paranormal activity are told in hospitals, with many people reporting seeing apparitions in hallways, hearing voices, or feeling an eerie presence. These experiences, often attributed to the spirits of deceased patients, have contributed to the eerie atmosphere that surrounds many hospitals.
The word "quiet":
It's said that uttering the word "quiet" in a hospital can lead to a sudden influx of patients or emergencies. This superstition, perhaps rooted in the fear of jinxing good fortune, serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of healthcare.
Full moon madness:
Some believe people are more prone to erratic behavior and irrational thoughts during a full moon. This belief, often linked to the lunar cycle's influence on tides and animal behavior, has also been applied to human behavior, particularly in the context of hospitals.
Warding off evil spirits:
To ward off evil spirits and protect patients, some hospitals place a code cart or life-saving medications near a specific room or patient. These practices are a superstition to ward off evil and offer comfort and security in the face of the unknown.
Haunted rooms:
There's a belief that a hospital room where a patient has died could be haunted by them after they died in the room. Then, subsequent patients are more likely to succumb to illness or injury.
Unlucky or bad energy rooms:
Some hospitals have a reputation for having rooms with negative energy, where patients seem to experience more complications or fatalities.
Bad things come in threes:
According to superstition, if two unfortunate events occur, a third is likely to follow. This belief, prevalent in many cultures, is often applied to the context of hospitals, where patients and staff may fear a series of unfortunate events.
Rainy day babies:
There's a popular belief that more babies are born on rainy days. This is perhaps rooted in the idea that weather can influence human biology.
Superstitions Related to Nursing
Nurses spend countless hours in hospitals. Superstitions arise from patient care, death, and nursing intuition. These beliefs, often rooted in personal experiences and the challenges of their profession, have been passed down through generations of nurses.
Patient care:
Some nurses believe in the power of touch to heal patients or the importance of positive thinking in influencing outcomes. These beliefs, often rooted in personal experiences and a desire to make a difference, can shape nurses' approach to patient care.
Nurse's intuition:
Nurses often rely on their intuition to guide their practice; some believe this intuition is connected to a spiritual force.
Frequent flyer patients:
Nurses may hesitate to discuss patients who frequently visit the hospital, fearing their mention will jinx them and cause them to return.
Open windows for departing souls:
When a patient passes away, some nurses open a window to allow the soul to escape.
Flies as harbingers of death:
The appearance of a fly in a hospital room is sometimes seen as a sign that someone is about to die.
The Psychology of Superstition
Superstitions are deeply ingrained in human psychology, serving various purposes. Fear of the unknown, the need for control, and coping mechanisms are all factors that contribute to superstitious beliefs.
Hospitals, with their association with illness, death, and the unknown, can evoke feelings of fear and anxiety. Superstitions can provide a way to cope with these fears by offering explanations or rituals to ward off danger.
Humans have a natural desire for control over their lives. Superstitions can give people a sense of agency by providing them with rituals or beliefs that they can use to influence outcomes.
Superstitions can serve as coping mechanisms for dealing with stress, uncertainty, or traumatic events. Believing in a higher power or following certain rituals makes people feel more comforted and less helpless.
Superstitions and Modern Medicine
While superstitions have persisted for centuries, the advent of modern medicine has challenged their validity. Technological advancements and evidence-based practices have provided scientific explanations for many phenomena once attributed to supernatural forces.
Medical technology has transformed healthcare, offering new diagnostic tools, treatments, and preventative measures. This has led to a decline in the belief in some superstitions, as scientific explanations can be found for many previously unexplained events.
Evidence-based medicine emphasizes the importance of using scientific evidence to guide medical decisions. This approach has helped to dispel many superstitions by demonstrating that they lack empirical support.
Despite the advances in modern medicine, superstitions continue to hold a strong appeal for many people. They offer a sense of comfort, hope, and connection to a larger world.
Hospital and nursing superstitions are a fascinating reflection of human psychology and culture. These beliefs, rooted in fear, hope, and the desire for control, have endured for centuries despite the advancements in modern medicine. While scientific evidence has challenged the validity of many superstitions, they hold a powerful grip on the human imagination.
As we navigate the complexities of modern healthcare, it is important to recognize superstitions' role in shaping our experiences and beliefs.
References:
Hoseini, A. S., Taher, M., Pashaeypoor, S., Cheraghi, M., & Karimy, M. (2020). Superstition in health beliefs: Concept exploration and development. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 9(3), 1325. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_871_19
Thomassy, M., Peacock, A., Leone, A., Hornbostel, H., & Ward-Smith, P. (2021). The desire to explain phenomenon: Hospital nursing staffs familiarity and perceived relevance of superstitions. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 09(09), 204218. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2021.99015
About the Author:
Breann Kakacek, BSN, RN, has been a registered nurse since 2015 and a CNA prior to that for two years while going through the nursing program. Most of her nursing years included working in the medical ICU, cardiovascular ICU, and the OR as a circulating nurse. She has always had a passion for writing and enjoys using her nursing knowledge to create unique online content. You can learn more about her writing career and services at ghostnursewriter.com
Breann is an independent contributor to CEUfast's Nursing Blog Program. Please note that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this blog post are solely of the independent contributor and do not necessarily represent those of CEUfast. This blog post is not medical advice. Always consult with your personal healthcare provider for any health-related questions or concerns.
If you want to learn more about CEUfasts Nursing Blog Program or would like to submit a blog post for consideration, please visit https://ceufast.com/blog/submissions.
