Hate being an RN

Specialties NP

Published

I'm a new grad working in ER and acute care. I dread going to my job in acute care each shift. I like what I do in the ER, but hate how the docs treat the nurses - short and condescending, and just plain mean and rude constantly. I'm already getting tired of it. "Yes sir'ing every order", apologizing when they're mad (all the time) even when nothing was done wrong. I'm fairly young now and can't imagine getting being treated like crap and with such disrespect when I'm older.

I've been wodering if I went into the wrong field altogether...but maybe I just need to be the boss. I have a bacehlor's degree in business administration, and an ADN. With NP becoming a doctorate program and increasing in length and cost, I'm wondering if FNP is still the way to go, considering they get paid significantly less than doctors. Any thoughts on this? And are FNP's respected, or are they treated like scum like the RNs are? I'm getting really tired of giving up my seat when I'm charting everytime a doctor comes into the nurse's station. Rrrrrr!

I'm a new grad working in ER and acute care. I dread going to my job in acute care each shift. I like what I do in the ER, but hate how the docs treat the nurses - short and condescending, and just plain mean and rude constantly. I'm already getting tired of it. "Yes sir'ing every order", apologizing when they're mad (all the time) even when nothing was done wrong. I'm fairly young now and can't imagine getting being treated like crap and with such disrespect when I'm older.

I've been wodering if I went into the wrong field altogether...but maybe I just need to be the boss. I have a bacehlor's degree in business administration, and an ADN. With NP becoming a doctorate program and increasing in length and cost, I'm wondering if FNP is still the way to go, considering they get paid significantly less than doctors. Any thoughts on this? And are FNP's respected, or are they treated like scum like the RNs are? I'm getting really tired of giving up my seat when I'm charting everytime a doctor comes into the nurse's station. Rrrrrr!

It doesn't sound like you need a new vocation so much as you need a new work place.

I'm in a university ED and it's the very rare exception when a doc is short and condescending... I never "sir," and don't even "Doctor..."; it's usually either "John," "Ann," or "Dude/Man"

Give up a chair? Ha. I defend my workstation vigorously... "Excuse me, that's my workstation..."

I'm guessing the NPs there don't get treated any better than the RNs.

Specializes in ICU.

At least you get to sit when you chart. We have to stand up all day long!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.

OP: "giving up your seat when a doctor comes in the room" sounds like what happen to my dean when I was in nursing school in the 90's. That happened to her back in the 50's having to stand when doctors came in the room and had to give up their seat. I can't imagine that is happening today!! Docotors are not God! I certainly would not give up my seat for any doctor, I need to chart just as he does.

Every hospital I've been to the nurses had to give up their seats to the doc. And you better not have an attitude about it either. Lol

One doc is the worst about it. There aren't a lot of chairs, so she'll come up to the RN and stand there with her hand on her hip until the nurse gets up - and they readily do. I know I'm a new grad, but I'm not stupid...though that's how I'm being treated. One of the docs told me that she'd quit her job if she had to work with me, that I didn't know how to be a nurse yet, that I was a liability to her medical license and my own nursing license......because I'm a new grad in the ER. Fun times. I'm feeling really discouraged. It's so hard to be new anyway, nevermind being treated like that. And I feel like I carry myself well. Sometimes it's hard when I feel unsure about so many things, but I respect myself enough to know that I don't deserve to be treated that way, and that we shouldn't bow to the docs....maybe that's why I'm being treated poorly, because all the other nurses do it and the docs expect it. Ugh.... I just feel like I'm dreading going to work, and I hate feeling that way.

Specializes in Behavioral health.

OP, you are a professional nurse! The nursing station is your territory the doctor is just visiting. Own up to mistakes if they are yours. Offer to help fix the problem if they are not but you're not required to accept the verbal abuse call the nurse manager.

Not to hijack the thread but I thought Magnet Accreditation was supposed to take care of this. I'm assuming the hospital is accredited but it seems these days everyone is pursuing it. (I can hear the laughing now)

Benefits of Magnet Designation

  • Attract and retain top talent
  • Improve patient care, safety and satisfaction
  • Foster a collaborative culture
  • Advance nursing standards and practice
  • Grow your business and financial success

Magnet Recognition Program® Overview

Specializes in FNP, ONP.

That sounds like a terrible place to work. I've never been treated like that at any job I've ever had. I've always been treated with respect and enjoyed collegial relationships with medical staff, ever since I was a new nurse. I think this is simply because I behaved as though I expected to have these relationships, not as though camaraderie was some sort of privilege. I would never have gotten out of my seat for a male provider of any kind, but would and still do give my chair to any lady, from CNA to Chief of Staff. If anyone ever spoke to me the way that individual spoke to you I"d have asked her to repeat those words in front of someone in the chain if commnd, and to substantiate them with documentation. That is unacceptable. You should not allow people to walk all over you that way.

I don't think becoming a ARNP is the answer to your problem, I think self esteem is your problem. I'd work on that, and in the mean time, get the heck out of that toxic environment. Consider if APN is what you really want to do vs just an escape mechanism later when the rest is sorted out. Good luck!

One doc is the worst about it. There aren't a lot of chairs, so she'll come up to the RN and stand there with her hand on her hip until the nurse gets up - and they readily do. I know I'm a new grad, but I'm not stupid...though that's how I'm being treated. One of the docs told me that she'd quit her job if she had to work with me, that I didn't know how to be a nurse yet, that I was a liability to her medical license and my own nursing license......because I'm a new grad in the ER. Fun times.

To be honest I wish I was working there and that doc came up and stood behind me with an attitude expecting the chair! She's going to be waiting for a while! I'd take extra long. Bet you she wont stand behind me next time. The other doc that made that comment to you it would be nice to grab her on tape or hidden camera saying something like that. It sounds like there is systemic harassment in your place of work and if I were you I would leave that job. If they are allowed to get away with behavious like this unchecked, HR is probably well aware and they probably wont do anything to change it.

Specializes in Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
One doc is the worst about it. There aren't a lot of chairs, so she'll come up to the RN and stand there with her hand on her hip until the nurse gets up - and they readily do. I know I'm a new grad, but I'm not stupid...though that's how I'm being treated. One of the docs told me that she'd quit her job if she had to work with me, that I didn't know how to be a nurse yet, that I was a liability to her medical license and my own nursing license......because I'm a new grad in the ER. Fun times. I'm feeling really discouraged. It's so hard to be new anyway, nevermind being treated like that. And I feel like I carry myself well. Sometimes it's hard when I feel unsure about so many things, but I respect myself enough to know that I don't deserve to be treated that way, and that we shouldn't bow to the docs....maybe that's why I'm being treated poorly, because all the other nurses do it and the docs expect it. Ugh.... I just feel like I'm dreading going to work, and I hate feeling that way.

There will be many ups and downs as a nurse, and you will feel like crap after experiences like this for sure. This may not be the best place for you to work, but the next place may not be very good either. I can tell you that after 23 years in ERs, and ICUs that the ER is one of the worst places to start out. Keep your chin up, and learn all you can, but if things don't start improving soon I would consider making a move....but that's just me

Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Wow you give up your seat when you are charting everytime a doctor come to the NURSES STATION? You are too nice! Its going to take you telling them I'll give you the seat when im finished charting for them to stop expecting ridiculous behaviour. In any case it sounds like you need to move from that hostile work environment. Oh and dont apologize to them because they are mad unless its your mistake. If you dont set boundaries everyone is going to take advantage of you.

How about saying. I need at least five more minutes. Then give her "the look."

What would happen? ( I actually worked at a place once where two female PA's got in a physical fight over desk space. 911 was called- so I guess anything can happen--and probably won't). Best wishes!

Specializes in Med/Surg, International Health, Psych.

Your title resonated with me because I did not like being a RN either. In fact, I knew before I went to nursing school that I wanted to be an APN. I started my nursing career in Latin America where MD stands for "medio Dios", God-like. We did take a beating. We were absolutely AFRAID to contact a doctor late at night to report a status change because of the potentiality for profound verbal abuse. It totally depends on the environment in which you work though. However, what I remember the most is not hostility from doctors, it was there of course, but horizontal violence from other RNs--the seemingly disempowered attacking one another.

However, as other posters have suggested . . . change jobs and stick it out. Despite my best efforts, it took many years before I became an APN. What those years as a RN have taught me professionally has changed my character. You learn to stick up for your patient and yourself (your license). You find your voice, sense of prioritization, advocacy skills, self-esteem, and confidence. Tools you will need no matter where you decide to go.

Lastly, as an APN you will still encounter struggles. I worked with one doctor who would never speak to me because he likened NPs to scabs in a labor strike. We were taking away money that he was entitled to. There are those who will outright refuse to collaborate with you. You will learn to take it all in stride. in the interim, find a space that works for you, make it work for you and grow from there.

Not really. I believe most FNP programs only require 1 year of nursing experience, which means I could apply to a program in the spring.

You are correct in that most NP programs only require 1 year of experience as an RN. I think what elkpark was trying to say is it typically takes longer than a year to really get enough experience to truly feel comfortable with yourself as a nurse. I have been a nurse for 5 years and although I am comfortable in my role and trust my decision-making and critical-thinking skills still feel I have a lot to learn. I just started an NP program but would not have felt comfortable with the program with only a year's experience. Good luck to you and hope you learn to love nursing!

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