Belittled

[NicoleRN07, RN]

HI! I work with a doctor who constantly is riding my case about something. Regardless how ridiculous the complaint may seem he is always criticizing my work. If I am in charge, he constantly puts me down, telling me that I am not demanding enough toward the other nurses, and I should be directing them as what to do next, not taking an assignment myself. He consistantly is doing things to "irk" me, even when he knows it's wrong. For example....he once gave a patient 3 sublingual nitro at one time, even with me standing there telling him not to. He argues with me in front of patients, and once even argued with me about whether or not a patient was having an AMI vs gallbladder symptoms. It was obvious on the EKG, that I had done that it was an inferior MI, but he insisted that I never should have done an EKG, because the patient was having epigastric pain, not an AMI......the patient ended up coding. None of the other docs have a problem with me or my judgement, it's just him...in fact, the other docs trust me to the point where they allow me to tell them what I want to do for the patient. So why does this particular doctor constantly belittle me in front of my peers and patients? How do I handle this?

[GingerSue]

maybe he feels threatened by you?

giving 3 nitro at one time?

(reminds me - I was just remembering a doctor in psych who ordered Valium for a patient, and I pointed out to him that the patient's record said "allergic to Valium" and he said "give it anyway" - but no, I didn't give any Valium -- in this case, the Head Nurse was keeping a black book about him, and had a little meeting with us staff to report anything that he did/said)

Therefore, I am suggesting that you involve your

Head Nurse/Supervisor/Unit Administrator

[ritarunningfeet]

Can you write him up? We have a doc like that at both hospitals I work at, and unfortunatly, everything flows down hill if you know what I mean. The problem docs we have, we write up and keep written documentation of things too. You know cya. It is very frustrating, they can sometimes be so pig headed it is ridiculous (sp). Just don't let him get the best of you, and don't stoop to his level.

[CHATSDALE]

document any problems esp anything that will put a pt at risk..is he an er md or primary that sees his pts at er??

if employed by the facility reports can be sent to ptb, if private md they are still subject to peer review . you will need a lot of backup and documentation but your license and pt welfare are on the line

[PANurseRN1]

Certainly document true errors. I would not get into an argument with the doc at the pt bedside, though; that's unprofessional and not in the pt's best interests. (Before anyone asks, yes, I do work in the ED.)

[blueheaven]

Document everything and cover your ass. Write up this turkey as needed and keep copies for yourself as well as copies of any written derrogatory remarks he may have made about you in a patient chart. Follow your chain of command for your facility and keep note of that. The hospital is obligated to do something about this situation. He is creating a hostile work environment. You may want to talk to an attorney who specializes in labor issues. You do have recourse and the doctor and the hospital could be held liable.

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

Lol, he sounds like an adolescent boy with a crush.

[kenny b]

Funny, I was thinking the same thing. Like Calvin and Suzie Derkins. :chuckle

Lol, he sounds like an adolescent boy with a crush.

[Batman24]

First thing that came to my mind was that he was jealous of you.

[casualjim]

Give him the 3 magic words, "hostile working environment."

[NicoleRN07, RN]

Thanks for your advice. I have learned to cover my butt, and my charting skills have become excellent because of him. I don't back down from him no matter what, and I have decided that's why he gives me such a hard time (he likes to argue). I have discussed it with our medical director (he approached me about it), my nursing supervisor, and the doctor himself. Things will be ok for a day or so, and then he goes right back to treating me the same way. I just don't understand why he has singled me out the way he has. I try to avoid him if at all possible. I don't want to be miserable while at work, and I don't want him to feel that way either.

[Pompom]

He sounds imcompetent, report him to his superior, document what happened every time. I would not waste my time arguing with an idiot like that, get your risk management involved, he is a walking care for lawsuits.