Chief of staff stood up for us ... a total "WOW" moment.

Published

OK everyone, I've GOT TO share this. I'll try to keep it fairly abridged.

I'm a fairly new (2 years) nurse. I work a BUSY med/surg floor. It was one of "those" days. We had almost NO meds on the floor while the central pharmacy was having an inventory audit, down 2 RN's and a CNA, every bed was full, lunch was an hour late, there were admin's lurking around, and ... you get the picture.

We have a new resident (I'll call him Dr. W) that is a total !@#$%. One of those cocky, condescending, everything is stat, types.

Well, he had a ton of orders (as usual), and on the very bottom, an order to stop IVF at 0800 on this particular pt, and to no excuse on my part, I just didn't see it. So at about 10 when he came around, he started yelling at me in front of other nurses and PT's, telling me how he's going to have to re-arrange his day because of me, and this pt is going to have to have his surgery postponed, (which I personally think was BS) and how I need to go report my mistake right now.

I was on the verge of tears, not because of him necessarily, just because of EVERYTHING going on at once at work and at home. While this was taking place, apparently Dr. W, didn't see our chief of staff (neither did I) standing at the nurses station about 10 feet away. The Chief at our hospital is a VERY quiet, soft spoken man, but he's always been very polite with all of us, I don't think i've ever heard him even remotely raise his voice. The chief butts in with a "Dr. W may I have a word with you" and they leave, (for quite some time) suddenly I see the chief back at the nurses station, he comes up to me and asks me if I am alright and what exactly happened, he could see I was upset. He then gives me a BIG hug, and tells me that I'm doing fine, and not to worry.

I have NO idea what was said in their meeting but, its been 2 weeks ... we still haven't seen Dr. W :D

To top it off ... just this morning I find out that our Chief used to be a nurse. :yeah:

I knew we all liked him for a reason

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

This an an awesome story. Glad you shared!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Kudos to the chief!

!Chris :specs:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nice to know good people exist :p)

Thanks for sharing your story :))

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

Good for him!

and good for YOU and your hospital!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Unfortunately I've come to realize that during my short time in nursing that i think many of the old school MDs and some of the 'newer' ones still have the view that nurses are in a subservient position and that we should do everything at the drop of a hat, and that when sometimes is wrong or gets messed up that it's always our fault regardless of whatever. I personally think it's BS but I have an intensivist in my ICU who is awesome, yes he is testy and likes things done his way. But I can't blame him, he is ultimately responsible for these people as am I, so i understand. I think everyone in an ICU is neurotic to some degrees. Either way he's stepped up to the plate for us whenever we are talked down to,belittled or anything like that by another MD in the hospital. We are to usually report it to him right away and he handles it very promptly. It's nice when someone goes to bat for you and stands up for you because sometimes no matter what we say it's not a good enough explaination. Good for your COS and yourself! It's nice to know there are people who still stick up for us nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

If it was merely IVF and not a medication (heparin, etc), I'd like to ask the resident how 150-200cc of extra intravascular volume would jeopardize his surgical plans. In detail.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
:yeah: :nurse: :up:
Up Vote Up Vote ×

For whatever reason, this story is bringing tears to my eyes tonight. All we nurses need sometimes is a hug and to be told we're really doing ok.

It's just a breath of fresh air from the usual. What a wonderful moment that must have been --

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It was ... Our Chief is actually a transplant specialist, so he is on Med/Surg ICU frequently, and has even bought us all pizza, and typically stocks the nurses station with candy around various holidays.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It was ... Our Chief is actually a transplant specialist, so he is on Med/Surg ICU frequently, and has even bought us all pizza, and typically stocks the nurses station with candy around various holidays.

sheeesh ... you hiring??? :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

Ha!! That's freakin' awesome..You made my day, OP!!:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion