The Doctor said WHAT?

Nurses General Nursing

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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?

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:lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

You're alright LOL

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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.

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Specializes in subacute/ltc.

Not if they want to live!!!!

Tres

Who is leaving it to other posters to be far more erudite and articulate than my sleep deprived self can possibly be at this moment!

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
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 agree. Believe me when I say that as far as nursing culture goes, we have to choose our battles carefully in order to do our jobs well.

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

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

Subordinate??
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Specializes in Dialysis.

subordinate??? yea, right!

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Ummm... being a professional nurse among doctors does not mean you have to be "subordinate".

Missy

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In place where I work nurses ARE expected to be subordinate to doctors. It is not the best place, but it's a different story. You have your say in whatever, but it only goes so far. Nursing can think of itself as an independent discipline academically, but in the way hospitals are run, medicine is on the very top of others. I can't think of nurses bossing doctors around, but doctors do it all the time with us, and administration is on their side because they are the ones who bring money.

While no hospital can function without nurses, nurses are on the very bottom of the hospital totem pole.

I actually was written up once for something that RT did because doctor said so and mgr was eager to please.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.
Subordinate??

my thoughts exactly. I work in partnership with my doctors and expect the same of them.

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I don't know, I think it's pretty damn funny myself.

A lot of nurses I know that are very strong in personality eventually come to terms with physicians and often they don't get much flak from the docs, especially if they are very conscientious, concise and often right in their ideas/treatment options etc.

I say do it, but make sure your actions can back up your mouth.

I believe the majority of physicians would take a little sass and a lot of capability over someone they have to spoon feed orders too.

But it all depends on your specific hospital.

Tait

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Specializes in home health, peds, case management.

props to you for making your point with a reasonable amount of tact and light humor, and making a graceful exit before things got ugly.

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