Docs not taking us seriously!!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Ugh..this is just a minor vent on my part.....it drives me absolutely batty when residents don't take us seriously about a patient. More frequently this happens with our antepartums. Do you guys find this too?

I mean, I understand that sometimes the complaints are not very specific (malaise, cramping, backache) and some come w/ the territory of being pregnant. But when an antepartum who has previously been fine starts complaining of stuff, it's usually a sign. Unfortunately, our residents don't seem to think it's worth listening to us. When an antepartum tells you "I can't take this anymore," 99 times out of 100 that baby is coming! It drives me crazy that the residents don't take us seriously enough to even come take a look the patient much less actually investigate!!! It drives me freaking crazy!

We're just nurses, we don't know anything. We didn't read those big fancy doctor books...

(By the way, I am not talking about L&D....I am talking about antepartums on the floor. We keep them on our mother/baby unit. Pretty damn scary place to deliver a 28 weeker if you ask me!)

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

If this really is an urgent situation based upon your assessment you can not just stop with the phone call. What I would first say to the resident that is not responding appropriately to your report is to state exactly what you want from them in no uncertain terms. An example might be "I need you to come in immediately and see this patient" If you are still not happy with the response...let them know you will document your assessment your report to them and their response in the chart and then you will follow the chain of command to get your patients needs met. We are the eyes and ears for the physician.....we are there 24 hours a day with the patients....and it is a BIG MISTAKE when they do not listen to us....and sooner than later most learn that...I hope yours do soon ....but push them in that direction until they do!!!!!

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Specializes in OB/Gyn, Post Partum, Antepartum.

Elvish,

I understand what you are talking about. I work on an actual Antepartum unit and the patients are routinely ignored when it comes to some of their concerns and the nurses.

My pet peeve: A patient who has been hospitalized for a while, after being status quo all of a sudden says " I just don't feel well" , concerns are ignored.

I frequently have to be aggressive and just bug the resident until they give me what I want.

At this point I am so burnt out on OB and nursing in a hospital in general.

I LOVE working with the patients and their families. I HATE: 1.)Residents who do not listen to patients about their concerns, and also do not listen to the nurses. 2.) Bad Management.

These are the main reasons why I am going back for my masters and seeking employment outside the hospital.

Sorry, rough week and my vent.

Hope it gets better for you. Unfortunately, I do not see it getting any better here. I think it is time to move on.

PreggersRN

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Oh, believe me, we are not afraid to go above their heads and call as high up as we need to....but it would be so nice if we didn't have to. If they would just take us seriously the first time everybody's life (including theirs) would be easier. I really hate having to write people up. And I really hate occurence reports too.

We are pretty lucky to have mgmt that backs us up, at least most of the time.

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