Doctor's Relatives Working In the Office

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jul 21, 2003

Yeesh - that has the potential to be rough. Most facilities of any size have policies against related persons working in supervisor/subordinate capacities, and for good reason. Unfortunately, in your "mom-and-pop" settings (which can be wonderful in many other ways) you get this.

Are you having conflict because you disgree on specific office policies? Or is she mothering them more than managing the office?

Vailgang · Jul 22, 2003

Nurse Ratched,

She is the mom of the two brothers. Sometimes it goes great then other times I want to pull my hair out. The situation is complicated because I was the office manager for about 2 years and then their Mom needed a job so she moved here and took the position. I was being the manager and the nurse and just too much work. We have the same staff so they come to me when there are problems and she does to and I just solve most of my own. I guess that bothers her. I thought that we had resolved everything but then the other day she said some hateful things that just made me want to scream. It is hard to explain without going into details. I just wanted to know how others handle relatives. I love what I do but the family dynamics can be very hard.

Pam RN · Aug 24, 2003

Work at an office where one of the docs has his wife and the wife's sister there. The sister in law is the office manager. The wife is a sweetie and is there part time but the office manager makes things very difficult because of her personality. She can be so mean and hateful and then when she realizes how she's behaving she turned sugary sweet and tries to make up for it. She usually acts badly when other are on vacation or when she hasn't had one in a while. If she has to fill in at times and man the desk, checking patients in it can be a terrible experience. It puts the office in a real tense, negative mood. It's really bad when she's mad on the phone, puts the person on hold and slams the receiver down and yells "f*%*!"

So, it makes it difficult when people have issues because I really get the feeling that people don't trust one another to talk to and you just end up taking your issues and eating them. I've heard that many people have quit because of the om and one day I will be one of them. I was asked by some docs I used to work with if I'd be interested in working in their office. Both their wives work there. I get the feeling it's more than just a calling for the doctor it becomes the family business. That's fine and all, it saves money on staff, and the couple have a vested interest. It just can become awkward for the other office staff that is not family. I don't think they realize this. It makes me feel lonely at work because I don't have buddies like I did in the hospital to share feelings, good and bad with.

renerian, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2003

I have worked with relatives of each other. I would resign, never again.

renerian

sjoe · Oct 25, 2003

"I have worked with relatives of each other. I would resign, never again."

I agree. No matter what the merits of any given issue or situation, now matter what "professional standards" or laws would require, no matter what logic might dictate--the relative's position will ALWAYS win. You will ALWAYS be "that other person."

Sekar · Oct 25, 2003

I turned down a job offer in a cardiologist's office (with a $4 per hour pay raise no less!) because the officer manager was the Doctor's wife. NO WAY am I going to put myself in that kind of situation. Too frequently the Nurses and the Office Managers disagree on issues and I'm not going to jeopordize my patients or my sanity by putting myself between the Doc his wife/office manager!

Vailgang · Oct 25, 2003

It is ironic that I posted this thread sometime ago but only got a few responses and now two in one day. I wish I could say that my situation has gotten better but it has gotten worse. I am now just on edge the moment the office manager/Mom even talks to me. I tried to quit last Thursday but she and the one doctor talked me out of it. I am having second thoughts about that decision. I may have another job and I am strongly considering taking it if it is offered to me.

I have been at this job for 3 years and love what I do but she is honestly making me crazy. Since I doubt if she will get fired I need to decide if I can work with her and how to cope. I am not sure I can.

Thanks for your input :kiss

Sekar · Oct 25, 2003

Originally posted by Vailgang
It is ironic that I posted this thread sometime ago but only got a few responses and now two in one day. I wish I could say that my situation has gotten better but it has gotten worse. I am now just on edge the moment the office manager/Mom even talks to me. I tried to quit last Thursday but she and the one doctor talked me out of it. I am having second thoughts about that decision. I may have another job and I am strongly considering taking it if it is offered to me.
I have been at this job for 3 years and love what I do but she is honestly making me crazy. Since I doubt if she will get fired I need to decide if I can work with her and how to cope. I am not sure I can.
Thanks for your input :kiss

RUN! Get out of there ASAP. You are in a total no win situation. You deserve better, your sanity deserves better. Remember, there is a nursing shortage. Good luck!