[beautifuldays]

I am just finishing my preceptorship getting ready to graduate from nursing school. I recently took care of a pt that I did not agree with the way the Dr. was caring (or not caring) for the pt. How do you handle those times when you think that the Dr. may be acting in a manner that could cause harm to the pt. And how do you work with the Dr. in the future if you do say something?

[tk3100]

Document extremely well. Also, the hospital I worked for had an ethics committee comprised of various disciplines, including physicians, pastoral care and hospital legal counsel. We were encouraged to consult them in case of possible unethical behavior of staff caring for pt or family. Do you have this option?

[SleekRN]

Always document the things you do and what you dont, as long as you're doing your job as a Nurse, you dont have to worry. The problem is, when the Doctor order things that may harm the patient. In cases like these, always ask or refer it to your superior/head.

[sharrie]

It would depend on the grade of doctor, if it was a junior (in the UK these are FP1 and FP2 not sure of the US equivelent) I would question thier rationale explain why I wasn't happy and discuss it with them. It may be that there is a reason they have ordered something, if I still wasn't happy with the request I would speak to thier senior (in the Uk this is the ST and STR) and express my concerns, if again I still wasn't happy I would then go to the consultant.

If the consultant wanted to do something I wasn't happy with I would still ask the rationale and then if still unhappy I would speak to my senior nurse. If it was an intervention or drug I am supposed to do I would inform the junior docs I was unhappy and my rationale for why and ask them to do the intervention.
It is always worth speaking so someone senior before this thougha s there may be good rationale for what they want to do