Obnoxious Doctors

Nurses Professionalism

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Nurses how do you deal with obnoxious doctors that talk down to staff?

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

The question needs to be put in some type of context. As posted it is too big. What constitutes the obnoxious behavior and when and where does it occur.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

OP, how do you respond to obnoxious physicians?

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Specializes in retired LTC.
Random response to a random question:

whenever someone talks down to you, jump on the nearest table or counter, then they will be forced to look up to you. :sarcastic:

LOVE THIS!!!

Need more popcorn.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

I'll bite: I think it all depends on your tone of voice when asking questions. If you approach the docs in a friendly, calm manner with some question or observation, they will usually answer accordingly. Our PAs/NPs are also excellent resources of information. I think the younger docs are usually equally terrified of stepping out of line with their attendings, as well as the veteran nurses, so we don't have too many problems with them.

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Most doctors only become frustrated and obnoxious when they do not a complete set of information when someone brings things to their attention or when they are asking questions to the nurse. I have worked with multiple doctors that had reputations and I had absolutely no issue with them.

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Wow...I guess the real answers to this poster's question really began on the last page. I do prefer forums without drama myself. Really, nurses should try to help one another.

Unfortunately, there will be that ego driven or whatever MD that will make your life a living hell. For no other reason except that it is something with them and NOT with you. I went through it for about 6months...and yes I accepted the fact that I would be yelled at as a novice nurse and all...but he was also treating his most dependable nursing "assistant" (of 7yrs) the same way, not to mention the rest of the staff, and I was APPALLED. Btw she WAS a nurse in every sense of what she was doing bit because of her legal status she could not advance. I quit recently and I don't regret it one bit. She was thrilled for me. Two wks later she got her papers and she quit too. Woot.

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95-98% of the doctors I work with are great. But, man, that one meanie can ruin your shift. I have one grouch who always gives me hell when I call at night. I only call for the things that must be addressed right then. Last time the greeting I got was, "Do you know time it is?". My answer was, "Yes, I do. But that's not the reason I called...." I have found being chipper and killing with kindness is the best way for me.

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

OP, I'll answer your question, but I recommend you learn some proper grammar and punctuation, and try not to get so offended, so easily.

I handled the really nasty doctor at my hospital by finding out why he was nasty. I'm a new grad. He isn't the nicest guy to ANY nurse, but was especially rude to me because I wasn't prepared when I called him. I had a question, but no solution. It was a very random question also. If I had called with the problem, offered my suggestion, and offered to put the order in for him, he would have responded differently. I now have a very good working relationship with this doctor because I took the time to find out what he was expecting, and that is now what I deliver.

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