Docs need to grow up! (Long post!)

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Specializes in Med-surg, Critical Care.

Ok, well, it is truly getting on my nerves how SOME physicians can act like the biggest, immature babies! Yesterday I had a patient who had just been extubated, was on a nasal cannula yet would desat quickly to low 70's with any sort of exertion. Our unit was full; her doc called and wanted to know if I felt she could move to the floor. I informed him of my concerns with her oxygen saturations but that she could probably do fine if she were monitored. Well, he NEVER gave any orders, just said ok and hung the phone up quickly. I felt clear that this was NOT an order. I also spoke to our house administration AND the ER nurse of the patient he was wanting to send us and let them all know I did not receive an order and if they were going to be needing to move this patient to please let me know so I could contact the doc again. Well no one was in a hurry for beds apparently because I never heard another word about it. Until this morning when I get home. The doc is making rounds on the floor and wants to know where HIS patient is at that he moved out. Well of course, she's still in the unit. HE calls me at home, demands to know why did not move her. We discuss for five minutes that he never gave me an order, and that we have just had a miscommunication, patient is fine, no harm done, that I also spoke with house and the ER nurse. He is fuming. Finally, after I suck it up and apologize for our miscommunication, he settles down and we are okay. I just don't believe he is that upset over having to walk from one end of the hall to another. Besides, he was in the ER last night and KNEW his new patient had not been moved to the unit. Never questioned why. I cannot believe he called me at home to address this. :angryfire I feel like he knew why I hadn't moved the patient, he just wanted to vent on me. Any thoughts?:uhoh3:

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Oh boy! To me it sounds like the old "pass the buck" scenario.........after all you can't read minds, can you????:trout: ......this doc needs to specifically say what he wants.............I notice alot of them have very poor communication skills , and that's just observing on a layman's point of view..........what a twit to flip on you over his obvious lack of communication........I wouldn't let it get me upset...and why did you suck up to him?????? I think that only feeds into it...............you can be tactful & make them think about their way of communicating without obviously saying it outright.........................good luck!

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Why and how in the he** did he get your home phone number? I'd have whoever gave it to him talked to and I'd change my number stat!

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Specializes in Med-surg, Critical Care.

Well, I finally got so tired of trying to unsuccessfully explain to him that he had not given me an order to move the patient, and if that was his idea of an order than he needs to clarify himself better next time if he expects his orders to be communicated effectively.

He got my home number by simply asking the unit clerk to look me up and call me for him. When I answered the phone (1st big mistake!) the clerk said "Here, Dr. so and so wants to speak with you) and hands the phone to him. That's what makes me mad. He can pass the buck if he wants but I am not a doc, I am not on call when I go home, I am off work.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Report him w/administration. He should not be able to talk to you @ home.

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You know....what I think some nurses forget is that we are coworkers of the docs; our licenses are on the line. We are not the docs employees. I'm learning that quickly as a new nurse and after hearing stories while in nursing school. I hope you told the doc he is not to call you at home. And then...change the number....and tell that person who is over the unit secretary that they should not call you at home b/c when you are off duty you are off duty. The only reason you should be called at home is if the nurse manager needs to get ahold of you for something important in my opinion.

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I have an idea....hehe.........can you get that docs home number so you can "clarify" orders conviently on one of his days off???? I say two can play that game......how about conviently not finding his signed order so that he has to come in on his day off to rewrite one...and just miraculously finding it before he gets there..but you couldn't tell him because he was already on his way in????probably wishful thinking though, huh?

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
I say two can play that game.

1) Stooping to his level won't help, especially since he probably already gets calls at home.

2) That could land the nurse in trouoble.

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1) Stooping to his level won't help, especially since he probably already gets calls at home.

2) That could land the nurse in trouoble.

I know .........as I said...wishful thinking....

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This is why every nurse needs an answering machine and caller ID. Never answer the phone on day/time off unless you know for sure who is calling and what they are calling for.

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Specializes in geri, med/surg, neuro critical care.
This is why every nurse needs an answering machine and caller ID. Never answer the phone on day/time off unless you know for sure who is calling and what they are calling for.

:yeahthat:

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the dr is NOT your employer or your unit clerk's. he or she can not call the hospital employees at home. the unit clerk should have directed him or her to the nurse manager.

speak to your nm about this right away.

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