Co-worker hitting up the Dr.s for meds during shift?

[babiesX2]

The other day, a new nurse in our dept. (well-baby nursery) came to work sick (elevated temp and sore throat). The charge nurse wouldn't tell her to go home (didn't want to hurt her feelings ). She said she was going to ask the Dr. to give her a Rx when she made rounds. I thought this was inappropriate, and I told her so. Our unit director came in later in the morning and sent her home.

Am I the only one who feels it is unprofessional to come to work sick and then hit up the docs for an exam and some meds?

[dreamjob25]

I have had physicians to ask me to perform "non-nursing" tasks for them, such as calling in food orders, getting drinks from the cafeteria, etc. Our facility sent a memo to all staff that we were not to request prescriptions or test requisitions from our physicians. Well it might take 5 seconds for a script for some pyridium and some macrodantin for a uti. It might take me 15 minutes to stand in line and pay for his cold drink in the cafeteria line.

[loriangel14, RN]

My own doc works where I do so I can ask her if I need a script for something.She has done the same for some coworkers.

[Lynnette1990]

i'd deffinetly be more concerned that she is around newborns and sick but that is just me.

[bollweevil]

I have had physicians to ask me to perform "non-nursing" tasks for them, such as calling in food orders, getting drinks from the cafeteria, etc. Our facility sent a memo to all staff that we were not to request prescriptions or test requisitions from our physicians. Well it might take 5 seconds for a script for some pyridium and some macrodantin for a uti. It might take me 15 minutes to stand in line and pay for his cold drink in the cafeteria line.

Well, in that case, ask real quietly and privately for the script, I'd say. Knowing the possible consequences.

Or tell the docs "no go" when they ask for your favors and tell them why.

Or get Admin to settle the whole dang issue. Of course, docs will still ask for favors. No win here. Why doesn't Admin get smart and issue a memo to the doctors ordering them to not ask nurses to do non-nursing stuff for favors for them. Or, really smart, why doesn't Admin send cold drinks and some snacks, sandwiches around to all of you once in a while? Like every time you can't leave for lunch, get mandated to stay over, etc.

[bollweevil]

I have had physicians to ask me to perform "non-nursing" tasks for them, such as calling in food orders, getting drinks from the cafeteria, etc. Our facility sent a memo to all staff that we were not to request prescriptions or test requisitions from our physicians. Well it might take 5 seconds for a script for some pyridium and some macrodantin for a uti. It might take me 15 minutes to stand in line and pay for his cold drink in the cafeteria line.

Do you do it? Why? Why not? This is the old handmaiden/secretary/servant mentality. Unless you're truly collegial and you have each other's backs and no one minds a genuine give and take.

[KLKRN, RN]

I used to routinely go to work sick, but over the years I noticed that it's others coming in sick that often starts me on one of my bouts of bronchitis, so now I don't go in if I feel sick.

As for hitting a doc up for a script, I can call my own MD's office to call in a Rx for my frequent sinus infections (yes, it's been worked up and I do visit in person regularly) and if I've just seen him in the past few months, he'll call it in.

I have never asked a doc I work with to give me anything. And I've never had a doc ask me to run and get him anything, either. In fact, one doc went back to their lounge and got ME a Diet Coke a few weeks ago because I couldn't go on break to get one.

[TiredMD]

Of course, docs will still ask for favors. No win here. Why doesn't Admin get smart and issue a memo to the doctors ordering them to not ask nurses to do non-nursing stuff for favors for them.

We don't work for the Administrators. We pay their salaries.

[landonsles]

The only time I have ever gotten a script while at work was from my own OB. And she offered it b/c I asked her opinion on which OTC med was better for acid reflux. She said that a RX was better and pulled out the RX pad before I could blink. She has also been my OB for 6 yrs (well before I became a RN) and this is my third pregnancy with her. She owes me...LOL...just kidding.

I would feel weird to ask a doctor who was not my own to write a script, but it happens quite a bit on my unit.

[TiredMD]

I occassionally write scripts for friends, family, and coworkers. Generally I won't write for narcotics or birth control, but other non-controlled substances they're already on I'm usually willing.

But just so everyone here understands, writing prescriptions in this manner is generally prohibited as a term of our licenses. The rules of most boards state that a physician is obligated to take an adequate history and physical, and document the encounter, before prescribing any medication.

It is not common, but if you search through the disciplinary records of medical boards, you will find cases where physicians have been disciplined or their licenses revoked for writing prescriptions without adequately establishing the doctor/patient relationship.

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

I think if it is YOUR doctor and you work with them that is one thing. They know you, they know your body, they know how your body reacts to different things. So in that case I think it is ok

[allthingsbright]

Our Docs are on the floor with us 24/7, so I have seen nurses ask for scripts. I dont feel comfy doing it but then again I am a newbie so I dont know yet how I feel about it.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

As an APN, I am often asked for antibiotics, cough meds, etc.. However, like TiredMD - since I haven't established a pt/provider relationship, I decline.