[eak16]

Does anyone else have a problem with packs of residents/interns/med students blocking hallways? I have always mentioned to nurses that sometimes the "whitecoats" look like flocks of lost birds, but lately it has gotten really bad. I will be answering a call light and have to shove my way through a group of them. A polite "excuse me" elicits no response and if I say it again loud enough to bother the attending, I get cold looks before they scoot over 4 inches so I can get through.
Last week I was ambulating a patient with difficulty breathing and he kept stopping. I asked if he was dizzy/tired/ etc. but he jsut looked up at the pack of residents and mumbled "is there any way to go around? I dont want to bother them."
I said "they are standing in front of your room, and so what if it bothers them this hospital was founded to take care of patients not doctors."
He chuckled and the doctors gave us just enough room to pass, with looks on their faces like it was a severe injustice that they had to be interrupted.
Any suggestions?

[nurs4kids]

same problem...know of no solution

i just get in a linebacker stance and charge right through

[researchrabbit]

Start of a new school year and they feel safer in groups. You have to be tough with them...

Remember that this is the "imprinting" period for new residents/med students on how to deal with patients and nurses -- make sure they learn how you want them to behave for the next 40 years!!!

[amylynn]

I wish I knew of a solution too! I am always greeted by them at the end of my shift, 5a-7a--not the best time for me. I am tired, want to go home, and am trying to finish up stuff. I think after 11yrs in the teaching hospital setting I have perfected "the look" that I like to give them and always shower them with "the attitude." Heck, they need to learn how to treat nurses with respect just as well as learning how to treat patients!

[zudy]

I just yell "Move it!" never have any problems. They can glare at me all they want...they are only here for a few years, this is my hospital!!

[sharann]

I love it. They see a bed coming loaded down with equipment, pt being bagged by RT,2 nurses, heart monitor , several IV poles....this is barreling down to ICU at 100 miles an hour.
They stand in FRONT of ICU's doorway, gawking and looking at the equipment (with their mouths open and drooling now).
"Get outta the way or get run over!"

[NurseDianne]

Thank God for small RURAL NON-TEACHING HOSPITALS!! I don't know what I would do w/ all those folks around. It's all I can do to stand the docs we have when they make rounds.

[P_RN]

I'm old enough to be most of the flock's Mom so the look followed
by an arm thrust in between the front row works every time.

If I actually KNOW one or more "Y'all get out of the way" works (if you are in the south at least.)

[AlaskanRN]

LOL...i'm with ya there nursedianne...we don't have students...but we do have the staff docs that seem to gravitate behind the nurses station to do their orders/dictations/paperwork...taking all the chairs and comandeering the computers...

as if that wasn't bad enough...when they're finished with whatever medical task they've been called for...they gather there and visit...taking up the little valuable space we have been alloted to get our work done!

as if the ER isn't challenging enough...running the doctor obstacle course is over and above the call of duty...lol

[dianah]

Make eye contact with one or two, flash 'em a big ol' smile and sing out, "Excuse me, comin' thru!" then "Thank you!" and maybe something respectful but silly anyway ("You needed a short break, didn't ya?!" They ARE there to learn (for the time being it IS "their" hospital too), and I've found folks usually respond to cheerfulness and respect with the same. They are under a tremendous amount of stress, as are we, only in a different way. Growling begets the same. JMHO. -- D