Conflict in the workplace

[KellyRN4]

I am a couple years into my nursing career, so you could say that I am brand new to nursing. I, of course, have had run-in's with staff while trying to do what's right for my patients. Although I am new and am looking out for my patients best interest, I sometimes wonder if I am doing the right thing by going above the head nurses and doctors and notifying supervisors. I would love to hear other stories of conflict and how you resolved that conflict, even if it put you in "hot water" with the doctors and or other nurses. Especially from those who have been in this field for awhile. Do you call supervisors if you don't get an order that you think is critical to the patient's well-being and the doctor denied it? Thanks!

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

No it was not drastic to post the MD's letter in our breakroom. We did have days off and a change in staff, it was common to post notice's from MD's there. I don't know if this MD had discussed with her partners about evening coverage, that was the point, she just instructed us not to call her, no further instructions regarding covering her patients were given. We, the nurses on the unit, felt like we were handed a bomb that could explode at anytime and given no safety equiptment. How would you feel, having this MD's patients in your care, she was scheduled for call coverage, and then you have this notice not to call her between 21:00 and midnight? People could die in those 3 hours! Funny that when this letter was given to the Supervisor, she did not know about any coverage being arranged other than the regular call list. The partners didn't take call well, but they did take care of our problems. The point is, this MD was negligent, but no one, especially the facility did a thing about it. Yes, we did file reports to the ethics committee, the county medical association, and the state association, but we never got any real action or answers.

Nurse's here are held accountable at a higher level than doctors. We can lose our license for being convicted of a misdameanor, but we have doctors who practice that have been convicted of fraud, conspiracy, and etc. Fair? No way, but nurses are expendable, or so the board thinks, not doctors.

Ahhh...gotcha. I can see where she was negligent, and I can see why it would be prudent for you to post the letter in the break room. I can also see why you don't work there any more. :uhoh21: