To Scuttle or Not to Scuttle?

[Southernurse]

when i was back home in florida, we were instructed even in nursing school to follow the md's into the patient rooms in the morning when they checked on them. that was protocol in that facility, and the nurses were welcomed by md and patient alike. we were to keep track of what the md had planned, and then after the md left the room, 9 times out of 10 the patient would ask questions or mention things the md needed to know. the md's liked their orders started on and could talk to you about it in the nurses station while the patient was fresh in their minds. when i was displaced to tennessee, i confidently walked right on in behind the md into a patient's room and was mortified to have done the wrong thing. i was to scuttle under the nearest rock and be seen but not heard at my new facility. the other nurses were shocked that i would even consider being welcome at a time like that. i felt so low. the hospital i came from was small and the md's had a great report with the nurses. we were treated like valuable participants in the continuum of care. i was wondering what your facilities expect you to do when the md is there....here in tn they still give up their seats, where the male doctors gave up theirs to us in fl. i was confused but set straight directly. so..to scuttle or not to scuttle???

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I round with the docs. I am out of the nurses' station during the time the docs are there to write orders. Most stand up at the counter but a couple sit down. There is a separate area for dictation.

I also think we are colleagues working for the same goal. And we all get our own coffee at the little coffee room about 5 steps from the nurses' station. One doc brings in a large container of hazel nut creamer (I don't like it but that is ok - others do).

I too think people borrow trouble sometimes .. adding fuel to a fire that doesn't need to be set in the first place.

steph

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Obviously the nurse in Ft. Worth has decided that she likes something about her job enough to act in a manner worth of a nurse from 1900.

Actually, you're correct. There's a specific reason for remaining at my current workplace. I stick around at this particular job because I work only 2 days per week, while receiving pay for a 40 hour work week under the Baylor plan. I could not stand coming to work 5 days per week like some other individuals. I'd much rather have the 5 days off per week.

Personally, I do not like to round with doctors. I do not like to volunteer any more information than is necessary. I'd much rather do the "disappearing act" than round with physicians any day of the week, because I simply prefer to stay out of sight. This is possibly an extension of my introverted personality. While I'm not shy, I am also not a sociable person.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

It is important to me to round with the docs . . .I've been with the patients since 3 a.m. and I have knowledge they may not receive from the patients OR the patients may not tell the docs things they have shared with me that the docs need to know. So, I stand away from the bedside against a wall and wait . . . .then I speak.

If they don't hear from us, how can they be effective?

steph

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If they don't hear from us, how can they be effective?

steph

If certain docs don't want to hear from us, how can they be effective?

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

If certain docs don't want to hear from us, how can they be effective?

True - but then they rob themselves.

I always round with them - unless I'm asked to refrain, which is very rare. I have a good relationship with our docs and would respect their wants . . . I have no problem with our docs and rounding with them. I realize all facilities are different.

steph

[fronkey bean]

Actually, you're correct. There's a specific reason for remaining at my current workplace. I stick around at this particular job because I work only 2 days per week, while receiving pay for a 40 hour work week under the Baylor plan. I could not stand coming to work 5 days per week like some other individuals. I'd much rather have the 5 days off per week.

Personally, I do not like to round with doctors. I do not like to volunteer any more information than is necessary. I'd much rather do the "disappearing act" than round with physicians any day of the week, because I simply prefer to stay out of sight. This is possibly an extension of my introverted personality. While I'm not shy, I am also not a sociable person.

What a shame, though, that the MD's would not want to take advantage of the insight you have into their pt b/c of the time you have spent w/ the pt. Mabey they wouldn't get that hated midnight call if they bothered to ask a nurse on rounds about the pts level of pain or ability to rest. Mabey so many pts wouldn't return so quickly if the docs knew that the pt told you that they couldn't see well enough to take their meds properly or that they were seeing a doc in another town, etc. The info you have is valuable, the contribution you make to the pts. well being is invaluable. You shouldn't be ignored or made to feel that you need to "hide".