Doing the "Right" thing...

[PhotoJenic]

I am really at a low point right now and need a reality check. I have worked as a phlebotomist at an urgent care for more than 5 years and I am 4 months away from graduating with my BSN. I have always tried to do the right thing for my patients and always gone the extra mile at work and school. In nursing school, they always say "do the right thing for your patient, no matter what" and "stand up to the doctor, be a patient advocate" but when it comes down to it, everybody looks at you like you're crazy. So now, 4 months of school left, I got laid off my job for doing the "right" thing for one of my patients.

Long story short: We got a special needs teenager who was a little agitated and needed a golf ball-sized abscess on his buttocks opened and drained. The doctor is pretty juvenile and was making fun of how the patient sounded, so I was already a little on point. I was setting up the bay for the procedure and asked the doctor what lidocaine/marcaine ratio he wanted to numb up the area and he tells me, "Nothing. It's too much trouble on this kid." I asked him what he meant, and he said that the kid wouldn't sit still and it would be easier just to slice it open and squeeze. I said, "It's the size of a golf ball and the kid is already in a lot of pain." (The patient barely let me touch it to put the EMLA cream on.) Nope, the doctor wasn't going to use anything. So I looked him dead in the eye and said, "Is that the standard of care for this procedure?" The doctor got irrate, said a bunch of things I'm not going to repeat, and ended it with "Whatever YOU want to do, doctor!!!" at me. I walked away, but five minutes later I heard him telling the MA to draw up the lidocaine/marcaine for the patient's procedure.

So, now I have no job and my family and friends are acting like I did the wrong thing and I should "never question the doctor!!!" I'm feeling a little betrayed, a little mad, and a whole lot sad. I'm wondering how this is going to affect my future as an RN; I was really hoping to get a great recommendation from this job--I guess I can kiss that goodbye...

Ultimately, my questions to the nursing community are: Was I wrong? Or what should I have done differently?

Thank you.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

You did the right thing. You absolutely did the right thing. It sucks to be penalized for doing the right thing, but you did the right thing. Part of being a nurse is advocating for your patients, and you've proven yourself there.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I went through a divorce during my final year of nursing school too. Hang in there!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Divorce is painful. I went through one while learning to be a competent nurse. It certainly didn't HELP my learning curve!

[duskyjewel]

You absolutely did the right thing and I would have done the same.

Also, you now have an AWESOME answer for that question they seem to always ask in interviews: "Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker and how you resolved it."

[HikingEDRN, BSN, RN]

The doctor was making fun of how the patient sounded? Un-freakin-believable ... and sickening And this is coming from an ED nurse who frequently (for the sake of my sanity) receives comic relief from patient/family behaviors. Note, I said patient/family behaviors and I am speaking of behaviors that are under the control of the patient and/or family member. Never and my career (and never would I) make fun of someone's disabilities/involuntary behaviors.

OP, I'm glad you were there to stand up to that jerk. I'm not usually a "report it" type of person but it may be worth mentioning to the medical board - totally unethical. Also, I'm sorry you are going through a separation while you are trying to finish school. Hang in there. We are here for you.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

You did the right thing. We are always to be the patient's advocate, especially when they cannot communicate their own rights/needs. That Physician is a jerk and it'll catch up with them someday. Congrats on making it to the home stretch with your program! Good luck with NCLEX.

[SubSippi]

You definitely did the right thing, and I think you went about it in the right way.

The reason the physician got so mad was because he knew he was wrong. If you had asked about something completely off the wall, you wouldn't have gotten a reaction like that one.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

You absolutely did the right thing!

I'm wondering, though, if it's possible that since you're part time and there are lots of full-timers, that your job was going to go the way it went anyway? Is there a specific reason you think there's a connection between what happened and your sudden "downsizing?"

[mluvsgnc]

Just chiming in to say YOU DID THE RIGHT THING! It's unfortunate that it backfired, but I think it will be something you can use in future interviews as well (and there will be future interviews). Please don't stop advocating for your patients, especially those who cannot do it themselves. I applaud you for what you did. *hugs*

[theothers]

I'm sorry this happened to you. I love being a nurse but situations like this make me question how long I can continue. I have heard countless stories (and have some of my own) similar to yours, unfortunately. I know your situation sucks right now but you absolutely did the right thing! We are patient advocates not Dr's servants.Patients shouldn't be punished for their behavior. I hope you continue practicing in the same manner as you are now.

[Karou]

OP, I admire your strength and willpower for standing up for your patient. You did the right thing.

There will be times as a nurse when you have to stand your grown and make people angry in order to advocate for your patient and do the right thing. It is important to be able to do this.

The right thing to do is not always the easiest thing to do. It can take a lot of courage, require a confrontation, lead to retaliation, ect... That you acted in your patients best interest speaks a lot about you as a person and a nurse. You are the nurse I want as a patient. Way to go!

[PhotoJenic]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I was just taken aback by the response of my friends and family. Like I said, things are hard right now, so I think I'm extra emotional and sensitive. I definitely will continue to be a patient advocate, but I think I need to brush up on how I do it so it's more diplomatic. It has always been my downfall. Anyway, thanks for helping me get my head on straight. I really appreciate having you all as a sounding board.