Blame nurses

Published

Is this true:

"Blame nurses with poor patients' out-come, and doctors will be appreciated with good patients' out-come?"

Specializes in Organ Transplant Unit, SICU, Surgery.

It took me a long time to learn how to brush stuff like this off. You'll be a lot happier if you learn how not to think like that & try not to get caught up in too much of the drama. I try to generally keep to myself. There are people who say, "what's wrong with him?" Or something to that effect. Truth is, I could really care less. I go in, do my job, try to deliver the best care I can, & right now try to deal with the bumpdown b/c I failed my boards twice. I just smile, do my job, and that's it. Most of the residents I work with are pretty cool & some of the older docs are the ones w/attitude b/c they are super control freaks. That's just the way they are. Unfortunatly we have to deal with it. You could always cuss them out in your head. That works for me too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in nursery, L and D.
Why "LOL"? You did the work, he got the glory. That does not deserve a laugh. You should have spoken up and said, "So what am I, chopped liver?" where everyone, including the 2 doctors, could hear you. It would certainly make them think.

I lol'ed b/c thinking back on this, it seems so much like an episode of "Saturday Night Live"! Anyone with eyes could see I did the majority of the work on the baby, yet the doc got the "glory". I must have harbored some resentment, as I still think about this from time to time, but if you asked me now (or then) I would tell you I don't need or want glory. I needed and wanted the baby to live, and he did, so I was happy. At the time, with a pt that had basically been butchered (mother) and a pt that was far from "out of the woods" (baby), it wasn't the time to be all insulted and indignant b/c of something like this.

Don't know if that makes much since, as I am sick with a tummy bug..........I'll come back and make sure later!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/surg, pediatrics, gi, gu,stepdown un.

I agree with , The Commuter, nurses are always there with the patients and the families and get the blame if something goes wrong but never the reward when things go right. Nurses do make good judgements and are never rewarded for it. We call and call the doctors when there is a change or something seems wrong or unusual with our patients. I think that the doctors should come and see for themselves what is going on instead of us having to call codes on our patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have always given respect to docs. I was raised that way. I have always respected myself and my ability as a nurse. As I rose through the ranks to the highest level I supported the need to respect nurses. I have found little problems from the docs. I have seen more disrespect from CNAs who think because you don't have time to something unpleasant that you feel you are too good to do it. Families need to hear from supervisory and management staff how great the nurse has been in poor outcome situations.

If outcomes are negative it is critical that we go out of our way not to bash the doc, or any other nurses. If we explain to S.O. calmly what is happening and don't let their anger eat at us, they respect the nurse more for taking the time and blame the doc because he/she just breezed in and out. Hand holding can build trust and respect without making negative waves towards any others.

I agree that trust and respect are different but I believe we can have both if we do what we do best. We nurse more than our patient. We include family (especially end of life) and other nurses at times.

Aren't we doing that here?:wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

While this is sort of a tangent, it reminds me of what our hospital is doing...

they berate us constantly in nurse staff meetings about our awful press ganey scores (which I guess are measures of nursing, ie personal needs met, did someone care about you etc). You'd think we were the worst hospital in the US.

But our hospital is consistently ranked in the top in the US. We are #1 in our state in heart and vascular care, and some other stuff, but my point is, we rank out very well so obviously something is being done right. But the admins thing these ranks are based on pt outcomes (which they are) and give all credit to the docs for this.

I guess nurses have no influence at all on patient outcomes, only on if a patient gets their teeth brushed before bed.

I want to speak up in one of these staff meetings, but I don't want to put a target on my back as a malcontent.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I want to speak up in one of these staff meetings, but I don't want to put a target on my back as a malcontent.

This is exactly why we make little progress in our profession. Everyone is too afraid to stand up. When will people learn that they can't terminate EVERYONE? One or two nurses - yes. But if the whole unit, hospital, state, country stands up and says NO MORE, TIME FOR CHANGE - what are they going to do? We'll have them by the crotch and get things done. There aren't enough foreign nurses to take everyone's place.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Another nurse and I worked w/ a pt. so she could lunge and and squat and get into all sorts of positions to birth this HUGE child who was acynclitc. Her MIL said "Oh Dr. soandso you are so wonderful!" He replied "I know, but you can't give me total credit. These two nurses are the ones doing the sweating. They did a great job too!" I was shocked. He has a HUGE ego. I think many times physicians do realize all that we do, but expect it rather than appreciate it. They are often very stingy w/ complements. That is why it is so important to help and recognize other members of the nursing team as much as we possibly can.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion