Something WEIRD is going on...

mattcastens · Oct 23, 2001

Actually, it's frequently the way it is where I work. Sure, there's the odd doctor who's a real pain in the glutes, but most of them know that if they give us a hard time we either totally ignore them, pester them even more, or give it right back to 'em with the same attitude. As a result, they've come to realize that civility and friendliness goes a long way. (I have to add that most of them have always been fairly friendly, it's just a select few that need training. )

These days I think more physicians realize how much of a team effort healthcare is. Plus, with both new nurses and new residents growing up in the 80s and 90s, with the emphasis on equality and assertiveness, a lot of the old attitutes have fallen by the wayside. The docs I have the most problems with are the ones who should be retiring in a few years.

MRed94 · Oct 23, 2001

Maybe they have decided that the shrinks are right, and they are all on anti-depressants now??

Might just be that the nurses are finally standing up for themselves.

Either or, hope it lasts!

Marla

Zee_RN, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2001

I understand there was an article in JAMA a few months back (didn't see it myself so this is third-hand info) that dealt with the nursing shortage and physicians' role in this (i.e., when they act ignorant and condescending to nurses). I believe I saw that reference somewhere here at the BBS. If anyone has that link, I'd like to read it.

I do think the younger docs are getting some more education on the role of nurses and, hopefully, we will see a better attitude as the elders retire and the young-and-restless take over.

PhantomRN · Oct 23, 2001

I think the docs are realizing that they should not bite the hands that can help protect their backs. I have always been treated very well by the docs.

I have heard some of the horror stories from the old time nurses. I think that is what it is old stories.

So, to all you nurses out there who left the field because the docs were A**holes come on back. They really arent like that anymore. Oh sure you get a few but most are great.

Julie, RN · Oct 23, 2001

Furball,

This is exactly how it is where I work (I'm also at a big teaching hospital) and I love it!

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Oct 23, 2001

Wish I could report the same experience, but it is why I stay in Home Health. And I do work for an agency which staffs the unit I left, and I do time there, mostly b/c it is easier for me since I know the P&P, and I only work once a week if that, many times I am cancelled, so I am lucky to actually get 2 days per month. I left originally due to a verbally abusive doc, he is the same, though we did have a theorhetical discussion lately in which I stated that if anyone wanted to have words with me, that was fine, just do it privately. He has been nice to me eversince. However, the cardiologists are ALL nasty, which is a real shame. The cardiac surgery program is one of the best in the state, but I tell people up front, I would not recommend ANY of the cardiologists, since the cardiologists I would recommend do not want anything to do with that hospital, or those docs, they send all their pt's to Philly, even if they live in the same town as the surgical team. So, my experience is not just nurses getting abuse by doctors, but more of my frustrations have been doctors who act like big spoiled BRATS who cannot see past their own enormous egos for the best interest of the pt, and it makes me SICK!!!! They put a serious wrench in the operation. AND they try to put the nurses in the middle of their ridiculous politics b/c they do not have the nerve to face each other and tell it like it is. I refuse to play that game, I refer them to each other and say I will not play middle man. But, so many nurses are intimidated by these bullies, they will and so the syetm is perpetuated.

I am glad you are having abetter experience though.

PS Matt, I LOVE that new avatar!!

l-andrée · Oct 23, 2001

I work in a teaching hospital and respect for nurses is something most of the intensivists are trying to putt into residents minds. It's not always there but there is a noticeable effort.

I notice that the younger "patrons" (Is that's the right English word for the doc in charge?) are more willing to see nurses as partners more than... servants.

But then, there will always be doctors with the I-am-God syndrom...

Mijourney · Oct 24, 2001

Hi. Hoolahan, I agree with you about the insults of doing institutional practice. But, don't you agree that if you as a home health nurse establish a great rapport with your patient and family as well as the doctor and his staff that you will almost always have the doctor eating out of your hand whenever you call about a patient need?

nurs4kids · Oct 26, 2001

I think physician's are also "victims" of the customer service plague. Not that it's bad in this case, but I think they are being taught manners, finally.

I went to a class this am titled, "Civil Treatment at the Workplace", some of you may have had this same seminar. A true waste of my time, but something I found both interesting AND pathetic. The gest of the whole thing is this "pc"junk, to make sure no one gets offended. They tell you to avoid topics on sex, religion, race and age. Yet it's okay to discuss politics, family, sports, etc. I posed the question, "how is non-offensive determined, what's offensive to one may not offend another" (ie; I may be offended by your political views, but not by your religious views, etc). I was sternly told it's about what is LEGAL and protected by law (age, religion, sex, race). Later in the seminar, the topic came up about how physicians are investigated for these violations vs how regular employees are investigated. Employees, through human resources..physician's through the Physician staffing office(ie, by peers). Others raised questions as to the reason for the separation. We were given a few, "maybe because..", but no sound answer. Thank God it didn't occur to me until my drive home what was being said. We, as regular employees are not held to the same laws as physicians. ?? I understand the hospital's reason for these classes..to prevent lawsuits. I don't understand why there aren't more "offensive" lawsuits filed against physicians. Why will someone run file a harrassment suit against a coworker, yet overlook harsh verbal abuse by a physican??

just curious

fergus51 · Oct 26, 2001

Evil doctors.... We had one, but then he found out how miserable we could make it for him and he smartened up. We tried the confront him like an adult thing, but that didn't work so he started getting a lot of 2AM calls to clarify orders and such. He's been peachy ever since. I find most doctors are great because they have to respect our judgments as we're the ones who tell them when they need to come to the hospital and most of them realize that they are not our bosses. A good relationship with co-workers is essential for any work environment!