Abusive Doctors!

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Specializes in IMCU.

I am a nurse in an IMCU/Renal unit with almost 2 years experience. I am having a really hard time with the doctors. I work days and try to have everything ready when they come in to see their patients (labs in charts, vitals done). But they come in and are immediately demanding everything at once, not giving me a minute to collect my thoughts and focus on the patient in question. Then they treat me like I'm stupid when I don't give the answers almost before they ask the question!

I'll admit I'm not the most confident person when it comes to dealing with the doctors; I'm intimidated.:eek: Does anyone have any comments or advise to help me become less intimidated and more confident in what I am relaying to doctors? I know I'm not a bad nurse.

Thanks.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

You just admitted your first issue: intimidated.

Stop being intimidated. Believe it or not, they are enjoying making you jump through hoops. It is a simple answer. Don't jump, take your time, and do it in a meticulously orderly, and CONFIDENT manner. If they are demanding, tell them, "Be right there." Be there WHEN you can be, not because she/he says so.

Talk to them like they are regular people. THEY ARE regular people.

*shrug*

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

Don't allow them to treat you like that. They will do it as long as you permit it. Don't be afraid to tell them to hold their horses. My job as a nurse is not to be a data spewing machine for doctors. If they ask I will be happy to update them and answer their questions but they are not my priority, my patient is.

I regularly tell docs to back off. If they are being rude I will tell them so, immediately and politely. I don't work for doctors. They aren't my boss. Now and then one thinks she / he is but I set them strait right away.

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I certainly hope you have their coffee ready before you start providing patient data.

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Specializes in Staff nurse.

One morning( I work nights), I got a call back from a doc. He was very kurt and obnoxious because i paused before I started reporting on the patient in question and he started to berate me, calling me incompetant, and I said "Doctor, I have 3 charts in front of me, I called 3 docs about patients and YOU were the first one to call back. I want to make sure I am talking to the correct doctor about the correct patient."

Long pause...oh, okay. No apology. However, afterI was done and got orders from him, he thanked me. Very uncharacteristic.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Long pause...oh, okay. No apology. However, afterI was done and got orders from him, he thanked me. Very uncharacteristic.

*** If a doctor does not thank me when I have done something for them or updated them I will usually say "Your welcome by the way". If they fail to say please I will ask "what do you say?", just like my 5 year old. Usually embarrasses them into more professional behavior. Also don't hesitate to point out to them if they are acting unprofessionally. I will certainly hang up on any doctor who tries to yell at me or berate me on the phone. I just talk right over the top of them and say something like "OK well why don't you call me back when you are ready to have this discussion in a professional manner, I am hanging up the phone now" and hang up the phone. Usually they are shocked and call right back still yelling. A couple more hangups and they get the picture.

Of course it goes without saying that if you are going to insist on professional behavior from them, your behavior must be professional.

My little hangup on them trick has resulted in several surgeons appearing in the ICU demanding to know who had dared hang up on them. I speak right up. They are usually shocked to see a large strong man and their tune changes instantly.

I have to admit that I have a MUCH harder time with the condecending types.

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As all of the other posters have said, and you also stated, it's the confidence issue. You have got to let them know that it's not okay to walk all over you, or be a jerk. ALL of you are human beings and deserved to be treated as such. And until you let them know that they will not back down. In case they haven't noticed, you are the one that spends 12 hours with that patient making sure they are still alive and breathing so that the doctor can come back for a 45 second visit and see that things are going well--so that when the family comes in at 2PM that day and only wants to see the doctor about patient status, they can come to the rescue...if the MD wants the information, make them work for it...I'm quite sure they know how to work the computer or paper chart to get vitals, etc.

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Specializes in Army Medic.

They're testing what they can get away with around you.

You can be the doormat or the door - all it takes is opening your mouth, or keeping it shut. :)

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

Standing up for yourself will always be out of your comfort zone. You only have to be assertive for awhile, until the butts with the Md behind their name figure out you'll not be a punching bag. I choose to work nights so my interaction with any doctor is limited.

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Don't ever let a bully win! You need to stand up for yourself. Some of my comments might be..." I am doing my my job as I was taught, and I will not tolorate being treated like a moron in front of other staff and patients". Or, " I do not appreciate the tone in which you speak to me".

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Specializes in IMCU.

I was working nights until recently. It was easier until I had to call a doctor in the middle of the night!

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

Some of them are like sharks. They smell the blood in the water. You have to stand up for yourself, period. Until you do they will treat you like a doormat.

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