The Doctor said WHAT?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Ok, I am a nursing student in an RN program and we are currently on rounds at a local hospital. I am also the daughter of a physician and RN, who was taught from a very young age to speak up about things, in a professional manner.

Scenario in point, I was on rounds at the hospital and we were at the nurses station setting up meds and a conversation is starting between 2 doctors who involve us in the conversation. My senior nurse instructor is standing with us doing the meds and hears the whole thing transpire.

Doc 1 says, "Nurses around here have it easy." (my ears burning, mouth is shut)

Doc 2 says, "Yeah, I don't know why they don't prioritize better. If they did they would not have so many complaints about so many things and tasks would be completed." (mouth still shut, face red, glaring at my instructor who is giving me the "PLEASE don't say anything or I will kill you look.")

Doc 1 says, "I should come down here and do my own rounds." (I laughed out loud thus involving myself into a now volatile situation)

Doc 2 turns and says, "Young lady are you alright" (now I could take the moral low road and just lie and say I was talking to my friend) Not me, LOL.

Nursing student (me) says, "I heard your conversation and was little surprised is all." (Nursing instructor is now bright red and praying I am not going to say what she already knows I am)

Doc 1 says, "Oh, what about our private conversation was surprising"

Nursing student says, "My dad went to med school and is a physician and he didn't tell me they had nurse training while they were there" (Nursing instructor slaps her forehead, blinks 400 times, and runs off to find a body bag for me)

Doc 2 chokes then says, "Well I went to medical school and I can surely do any nurses job. Besides you're a student you can't possible know things as of yet.

Doc 1 is standing with his mouth gaping open, speechless.

Nursing student says, "I am sure these nurses would appreciate some assistance. BTW I have to give meds out, would you like to help"

Thus resulting in both of them shaking their heads and walking away.

Now, I realize this conversation could have, and probably should have went a different direction, but it gives me sunburn on my ass when I hear doctors say things like that. Of all places, in FRONT OF the nurses station. That is adding insult to injury. Most of those nurses standing around weren't going to say anything, for obvious reasons, but the idea that they have to put up with that nonsense is enraging to me. I am a foolish nursing student, but I don't believe what those docs did was right, professional, or even tolerable. The fact they BELIEVE the things they were saying was a laugh.

Anyways, do you all have to listen to Docs speak that way on a regular basis?

Oh yes.

And when you are not a student anymore and a staff nurse, those doctors will run to your manager and will report you as being rude and inappropriate. Or if they won't, than you colleagues would, because quick wits and smart *** comments are not part of a nursing "culture". I know it first hand, because I am very outspoken myself and was pulled into mgr office once exactly for that reason.

Learn to be subordinate, pleasant and as less visible as possible.

I'm not being sarcastic - just some survival tips for the future.

I would never, EVER give up my integrity to save face at a job. If someone is being disrespectful to me or my colleagues, I will respectfully call them out on it. I don't care who they are. Doctors are people and they are not above anyone. Managers are people, too, and they are not above anyone either. I would much rather be fired for standing up for myself, then quietly sitting on the side lines and do nothing.

Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.
over my dead body!

btw-never been fired or unemployed..its all about respect.

these days may challenge the above statement. even though people get very ill during economic depressions. (i refuse to say it's a recession) more people die sooner, due to fear of medical costs that prevents them from receiving timely care.

another challenge of it is the fact that employers are billed $1,000+++/mo more by some health (?) insurance carriers, for employees who are older than 55; and they (particularly blue cross and all their subsidiaries) will not allow medicare to be the primary coverage of 65 year old employees, charging extremely higher supplemental premiums for them. in the past 14 years, i've lost 6 good positions due to that (i can't think, after 40+ years working as a r.n., what else it could have been).

in most positions for which i interview, i'm hired because i have education and experience that meet their qualifications. employers insist that i fill out their applications for their health insurance even after i tell them i already have satisfactory coverage, which requires that i state my age (i do look younger than i am, they say). soon after that, i've been told that i'm not a "good fit", and i tell them i'd rather resign (which gets in the way of receiving unemployment insurance payments). my last employer was blue cross........ they were vindictive!

I have also been fired- for speaking out against violations. In a right to work state, you can be fired for anything, and my sense of outrage has assisted me out the door.

Was once told that I was being fired because I hotlined an incident.

But, "subordinate, pleasant and as less visible as possible"- wow. This appears to encourage meekness in students.(?)

That old hierarchy mentality hasn't existed in medicine for years. Those students who speak up for themselves and others are the ones who make changes happen.

Viva La Revolution!!!

i have also been fired- for speaking out against violations. in a right to work state, you can be fired for anything, and my sense of outrage has assisted me out the door.

you mean 'at-will' employment state.

right to work refers to unions and not having to join one.

Specializes in LTC.
I have also been fired- for speaking out against violations. In a right to work state, you can be fired for anything, and my sense of outrage has assisted me out the door.

Was once told that I was being fired because I hotlined an incident.

But, "subordinate, pleasant and as less visible as possible"- wow. This appears to encourage meekness in students.(?)

That old hierarchy mentality hasn't existed in medicine for years. Those students who speak up for themselves and others are the ones who make changes happen.

Viva La Revolution!!!

WOW. Does your state have whistleblower laws? I'd look into it. Yeah, I know...lotsa luck; they probably were crafty enough to not technically break any laws.

Doctors are colleagues NOT bosses.

I would never ever allow a physician/pa/np whoever the hell doesn't sign my paycheck or isn't my direct report to speak to me or about me/my profession in such manner!

Just because they went to med school and have the little MD behind their name doesn't mean they get to do whatever or say whatever the hell they want!

Specializes in Er/ICU/Med-Surg/Home health.

AMEN!!! I like the old saying " Doctors save lives; Nurses save Doctors". I dont think they realize the impact we can have on the patient's perception of them. I quit "covering" for Doctors a looong time ago - mainly because of the lack of respect they showed toward the nursing staff. Of course, there are a few doctors who are the exception to the rule.

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