Why can only nurses call the MD?

agldragonRN · Feb 1, 2012

didn't you know it's part of our job description to call for all these people because we get the "big bucks"? :banghead:

that's what i heard from the dietitian. she was joking she said.

Creamsoda, ASN, RN · Feb 1, 2012

I guess im lucky where i work. Our pharmacists are great at calling MD's for clarifications. As are our RT's. Even Radiology sometimes. But I do understand. its a PITA

anotherone, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2012

I have complained about this issue on many posts. I have been chewed out by a few mds for contacting them for other mds so now that i am not a new grad I try to avoid that as much as possible.

MattNurse, MSN, RN · Feb 1, 2012

Don't do it is you are so tired of doing it. Is it a policy in your hospital or something? I don't call the doctor for any specialty period, and they know it. I know some of the nurses will so they expect that. If you lower that expectation and they need to talk to a doctor they figure it out quickly. I will give them the phone number if they need it.

I don't call for other MD's. If another MD asks me to consult w/ another MD on their behalf I just say "No". I had a pregnant woman on medsurg w/ itchy skin, I called the OB and asked for an order for something safe as the hospitalists would not prescribe antihistamine. She says, it is probably one of the meds she is on, ask the doctors to evaluate that.... I said "no, you ask the doctors, I cannot tell them what to remove her from". She was a little annoyed but I don't care, I don't have time to deal with that stuff.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 1, 2012

"Dr. x wants this." Dr. Y: "Why?" Me: I don't know. Dr. Y: Well call Dr. x and then call me back.

This is where I say that he can call the other doctor. I dont have time to play secretary for them.

thelema13 · Feb 1, 2012

That's why I work in the ED. VORB all day baby!

OCNRN63, RN · Feb 1, 2012

I'm sooooo tired of having to call the doctor to clarify things or get orders for other disciplines. The pharmacist doesn't like the order, so I call the MD, have to argue with the MD to get it changed. Radiology doesn't like how an x-ray is ordered, I have to call the MD to get it changed. Or even better, when MDs refuse to call each other. "Dr. x wants this." Dr. Y: "Why?" Me: I don't know. Dr. Y: Well call Dr. x and then call me back.
What sent me over the edge recently. Respiratory therapist wants an order for a breathing treatment. Refuses to call, so I call. Get the order. Hang up. The RT then complains to me about letting the MD order the dose ordered because it's a big dose. IF YOU WANTED A PARTICULAR DOSE THEN YOOOOUUUUU SHOULD HAVE CALLED!

Recently, I was being seen by a PT, and there was a discrepancy between what the Dr. told me he wanted and how the order was written. (Incidentally, it was written by a pretend nurse, aka MA, then just stamped with his name.) Who do you think wound up getting the clarification on what the doc wanted? Me. Irritating beyond all get-out.

Pixiesmom, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2012

Calling Doctors is one of my least favorite part of the job. I have gotten a lot better at it though and use SBAR and cyob charting. I have some experience under my belt and it has helped me to get a grasp of what I might need during the night so I can call the Dr at say 2000 instead of 0300.

AZ_LPN_8_26_13 · Feb 1, 2012

This is where I say that he can call the other doctor. I dont have time to play secretary for them.

This is exactly the way I view these things. You don't have time to be other people's secretary or go-between, You have more than enough of your own work to do. Same thing with patients who say "Can you ask or tell the doctor this or that". Better for them to speak to the doctor themselves.

AZ_LPN_8_26_13 · Feb 1, 2012

Recently, I was being seen by a PT, and there was a discrepancy between what the Dr. told me he wanted and how the order was written. (Incidentally, it was written by a pretend nurse, aka MA, then just stamped with his name.) Who do you think wound up getting the clarification on what the doc wanted? Me. Irritating beyond all get-out.

"MA" = Someone who wants a career in patient care but is unwilling to put in the time, blood, sweat, toil, and tears of going through nursing school, NCLEX, nurse preceptorship, "dues paying" etc. to get there. This is my opinion based on my own experience and I will stand by it

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Feb 1, 2012

I believe in a lot of cases the RN needs to be apprised of the situation as it may be someothing the nurse can fix without a phone call. Otherwise, the various disciplines can do their own calling to prevent info being misunderstood.