A RN or HealthCare Management

[Angela.RN2B]

I had a lunch with a couple of doctor friends at a hospital where I shadowed a Nurse for a week. I was floored at how these Nurses have to bow down to these Doctors. I heard a Dr. go off on a Nurse. One saying I want to see the whites of her eyes I want to know why this patient has not been walked in the hall today. I expalined this is what some Nurses told me happens all the time. My Dr. Friends said You don't wnat to be a Nurse your basically a Slave for the Dr. And your expected to just please the Dr. You should look into healthcare management where you can make some real difference. I was told by Both Dr. that they would have chosen Healthcare management if they had not gone to Med school.

I had no Idea Nurses where looked so down on by Doctors. and I was told they are just blue collar workers as a Nurse your basically like a little soldiers giving orders, Doctors never really have to get their hands dirty thats what nurses are for and they were laughing and a couple other Doctors walked in during the conversation and they all laughed and agreed. One of them was a Head Physician and he said that Nurses are usually people who couldn't get into medical school. I should be either a Doctor or in management if I want the healthcare field other wise I would always be considered lowly and a bottom dweller and a joke at Doctor parties and conventions. They were so adament about convincing me being a Nurse was they lowly choice. I was and still am so hurt. I always though Nurses were on the healthcare team. Does anyone see this treatment going on or hear such verbal abuse?

[babedollRN]

I've only been a nurse for 4yrs and to be honest with you I have never heard a doctor saying that, but action speak louder then words. Some won't speak until spoken to. One I know will hold her nose up at me and keep walking. When assisting with a dressing change they leave the od dressing for you to clean up. Some expect you to bring them the chart. There are other things, but that's to name a few.

There are really some good doctors out there who do care and have great respect for the nurse. (Some you have to earn their respect.)

One thing I believe is you can't worry about what doctors say or do. We are there for the patient and be a good advocate for that patient. All you can be is the best you can be and that you went into the field, you were called to do.

[Angela.RN2B]

Thank You. I have been told that and have seen that as well. many walk around and won't even speak to anyne thats a Nurse or a Tech. Wow. That is so crazy all I can think to say is get over yourself.

[Coloradogrl]

That makes me sad like really sad! How dare they say that too you or even talk about another person in that respect. I think nursing is looked onto from most of the public as a respected profession and I hope most doctors feel the same way.

I was told once from a family friend that is a Physician that nurses were usually the least educated people in hospitals b/c most of them just had ADN's but they were the most valuable. He then went on to talk about how hospital management mostly had BA's or Masters but he was in no way putting down nurses.

[leanmachine]

Don't feel so sad even if it's true because nurses care remember? Some doctors especially older doctors are pretty cool.

Those doctors who looked down on nurses are probably the only one finished college in their family or all their family members are doctors.

[Coloradogrl]

I will say most of the older doctors I know are pretty cool :) & even on that board it was more so the younger ones and the ones that were the worse are the ones who wern't even IN Med school :eyeroll:

[babedollRN]

You're right it is the younger doctors the older doctors are alright.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

GRRRRR! First of all, can we use the term "physicians" not "doctors" - a lot of us have doctorates and that title is not owned by any single profession.

Physician education is very narrowly focused. From an educational standpoint, Nurses have more in common with Engineers. Our education and practice is draws upon multiple disciplines - and we suffer the same indignities from people who are highly trained in one single area. Ever hear architects talk about engineers??? It's much the same type of sarcasm and snark we get from MDs. Basically, generalists always get less respect than specialists. Medicine's own pecking order is pretty well established, with super-specialists at the top of the heap and the lowly primary care folks at the bottom.

Based on my experience, physicians (like those in the OP) actually know very little about nursing education - or even what we actually do or our responsibilities. Clueless! They don't have a clear understanding of the underlying education or scope of practice of any of the clinical ancillary professions either.

I had to teach medical students & PS students for my EdD residency. I find nursing students (and practicing nurses) sooooo much better to deal with. Totally different attitudes -- less arrogant, more open to learning and much more collaborative.

Healthcare "administrators" without a clinical background and understanding?? - - - puh leeze. As a nurse, I find the entire concept offensive.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

I don't see this as an issue at all. And nurses are just med school rejects? The paths to nursing and to med school are completely different as are the job descriptions. Not even in the same field.