Run-in with a doctor

mrsboots87 · Dec 27, 2014

I am just a student, but when having my two children in the hospital, the nurse measurements were always off from the doctor. The way they explained to me was that L&D nurses do this all day everyday. Whereas the OBs see pregnancies in all stages and won't always have as accurate of a measurements as the nurse did.

For or my first, the nuts called the doc when she said I was at 8. The checked and said I was only 6 and left. My nurse asked if it was ok for another nurse to check me. When the second nurse checked, she confirmed an 8. I'm pretty sure the OB was just wrong or grumpy or who knows. I was 10 within an hour. Maybe after a couple births from that OB and you being correct, they will lay off you.

Gooselady, BSN, RN · Dec 28, 2014

Just from your post, I'd say this doctor has a piece of rebar up her *****.

I've been taken to task by doctors for whatever, and how they DO it takes a variety of forms. I've been firmly corrected in a respectful way that showed the doc intended to 'preserve my dignity' and the opposite way (public shame).

So it's not 'you', it's how the doc chooses to do her thing. Her style. And it sucks. It probably ****** her off more that you were 'right' about her progression and had actually called her just in time to catch the baby

I would feel the same way even knowing the doc was out of line. This is one of the hard parts of nursing. It's hard to keep your chin up because it just hurts to be publicly shamed. Just keep reminding yourself of her struggling to get her gloves on in time to catch the baby and score one for your assessment skills!

NurseNora, BSN, RN · Dec 28, 2014

No one has the right to publicly shame you. When the doc started in on you in the patient's room, you had the right to say, "Let's discuss this somewhere else" and leave the room. In front of your coworkers, you also have the right to be treated with dignity and to suggest a private discussion. In fact, your charge nurse, if she was present, has the responsibility to suggest the same thing. One of my favorite responses is "I'll discuss this with you later when you are calmer." Of course, it takes some age and experience and gravitas to get away with it. If spoken calmly and politely, you can't be faulted for making such a reply. Just remember that you as a human being, let alone a professional, deserve to be treated with the same respect as the doc expects.

you may need to learn to fudge. Ask your coworkers if they adjust their exams at all for the various docs. I'll bet they do. And there's never anything wrong with asking someone to check behind you. We all do from time to time.

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Dec 31, 2014

I work with a doctor who, I swear to god, just makes up the number to justify whatever interventions/lack of interventions he wants to use at the time. Very hard to not get frustrated when my 3/100/-2 is suddenly a 4-5 at zero station.

rachingram1220 · Jan 1, 2015

Trust your exam and your nursing instinct! You are the patient's advocate, and you did exactly that. You advocated for her and her baby, and the results were a safe delivery. Exams are subjective, and I remind patients of that if the provider's exam is different that my admission exam. More times than not, the nurses exam is more accurate :)

That OB provider just put a really bad image of herself to the patient and the other nurses---I bet a lot of the nurses don't want to deliver with that provider. Gone are the days of nurses just following doctor orders. You are an integral part of the L&D team, and that provider could not do her job without you! You are her co-worker, you are not beneath her, or her patient's babysitter. You both are equal parts on the team!

It's hard to forget situations like this (I've had some too, and it still make me mad that I didn't stand up for myself!) but let it slide and learn from it. The next time a situation like this arrives, you will be ready to ask the doctor to discuss the situation outside of the room and not at the nurses station. You will also learn when the doctor is going to say something inappropriate (body language and facial expressions!) and how to interject a sentence or comment in the patient's room before the doctor can say something that everyone is going to regret. Standing up for yourself quickly and professionally off the unprofessional words of others is an art, and a milestone you have crossed to become a great L&D nurse!

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2015

That doctor had no right to talk to you like that especially in fro t of your patient. Hang in there , I hope it gets better .

Nurse Sasha · Jan 1, 2015

Document this - bullying, and public humiliation is not acceptable. Disruptive behavior should not be tolerated, and is a patient safety issue. A hospital that tolerates this physician behavior is in fact promoting this as acceptable! Write her up, the hospital has a duty to provide a safe working environment; and this is not it! When these things are properly documented, they are seen by the medical executive committee, and must be addressed by the chief of staff with this physician. This doctor needs to learn that it is not acceptable to talk to the staff in this manner. When we tolerate this, we accept this as appropriate.

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Jan 1, 2015

Yep. We are not physician handmaidens. There is no excuse for this type of workplace behavior.

That said, it is unfortunately all too common, so I agree with the suggestions previous posters had for dealing with this head on.

NurseSN45696 · Jan 2, 2015

So could someone please educate

me on the professional way to handle this situation? I'm still in nursing school and we haven't discussed issues of run ins with doctors yet. What would you do? I'm sure something of this sort is going to

happen at some point in my career. I have a short temper and have never done well with biting tongue regardless of who you think you are. How should one proceed?

NurseNora, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2015

Learn the difference between assertion and aggression. It took me a long time to work that one out. No matter how rude or offensive a physicians behavior, he/she still deserves to be treated with respect. So do you. You do not have to stand there and just take it. Say this needs to be handled privately, or that you want this discussion to take place with your manager or supervisor and walk away.

You out also have to develop a bit of a thick skin. Some things are said very bluntly that feel rude, but really aren't. Many nurses find the OR intimidating and think the staff is mean to new people. A lot of it is just that some things need to be done now. If you're in the way, you may just be told "Move!" If you're about to contaminate something, you'll not be asked to please not do that, someone (whoever sees the impending contamination first) will just tell you what to do very bluntly. And it's that way in emergency situations too. Taking offense at what or how something is said will only increase the tension in an already tense situation.

So, someone is blunt and a little rude once in a while: learn to live with it. Some one berates you, your intelligence, your professionalism, your skills: politely leave the situation and go to your charge nurse for follow up. It really doesn't happen often. When I was a young nurse in the 60s, doctors could and get away with really bad behavior, but that has changed. We aren't expected to stand when a doctor enters the room anymore either.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jan 2, 2015

You out also have to develop a bit of a thick skin. Some things are said very bluntly that feel rude, but really aren't. Many nurses find the OR intimidating and think the staff is mean to new people. A lot of it is just that some things need to be done now. If you're in the way, you may just be told "Move!" If you're about to contaminate something, you'll not be asked to please not do that, someone (whoever sees the impending contamination first) will just tell you what to do very bluntly. And it's that way in emergency situations too. Taking offense at what or how something is said will only increase the tension in an already tense situation.
So, someone is blunt and a little rude once in a while: learn to live with it. Some one berates you, your intelligence, your professionalism, your skills: politely leave the situation and go to your charge nurse for follow up. It really doesn't happen often. When I was a young nurse in the 60s, doctors could and get away with really bad behavior, but that has changed. We aren't expected to stand when a doctor enters the room anymore either.

This.

The bluntness works both ways. There are times at a delivery where the doc is taking his sweet time with a baby that is clearly one of the 1% who need resuscitation. I lose my politeness and say, "Don't have time, hand me the baby NOW" in a tone that might be considered rude if we're at supper and I'm asking for the salt.

It sounds like this physician could use a few lessons in diplomacy, especially in a nonurgent situation. It's absolutely ok to stand up for yourself. Practice saying a few phrases (such as those suggested by previous posters) in front of the mirror or with colleagues so you've said it a few times in a less threatening environment first. Odds are that once you stand up for yourself the doc will straighten up and you'll have far fewer problems with him/her.

And NurseNora is right - this is not as common as it used to be. My time as a nurse (13+ years) is a drop in the bucket compared to hers and I've seen vast improvements since I started. Hang in there.