I am not easily offended and l let things roll off my back. The P.A. was making rounds the other day and walked into one of my patients room. I heard the patient ask, "A nurse came into my room at 3a.m. and put something in my IV. I have no idea what it was." The P.A. came out of the room and asked me what it was. I told him I was not sure, but I would find out and let him know. I followed that up with, I'm sure it was important if it was 3a.m. He smiled and thanked me, and walked back into the patients room. I heard him say, "you know, Nurses are stupid. They think if they are awake at 3 a.m. then you should be too." It was probably a flush to make sure the IV is still working. Anyhow, I'll find out fore sure." My mouth hit the floor. At that very moment, I remembered in report the nurse tell me the pt had a Bigeminy rhythm and he was given IV Mag, which corrected it. I quickly walked into the patients room and explained to the pt and P.A. what was given and why. The P.A. responded with a great big smile on his face, "See, I knew we would find out!" I still get pissed every time I think about it. I am a very quiet, non-confrontational person, but let me tell you....I can spit out a sarcastic comment that will make your head spin when I feel the need. I am feeling the need!
So-just a thought but shouldn't whoever the medical caregiver, whether PA or MD, have received/ had reported to them the most vital and timely info such as, for instance the patient received IV medication during the night to correct cardiac rhythm?...
I like effective communication and nip things in the bud right there and then. I would have pulled him aside in private and asked for clarification as to what you think you heard then state how you felt. Solves things quickly.
Specializes in cardiovaslular PCU, inpt rehab, HHC, ICU, PP.
Hmmm. Interesting. Perhaps he should be reminded that the ONLY reason a nurse would wake a patient at such an hour would be to give an important medication that was ordered BY THE PRACTITIONER. Honestly, I have taken the heat from patients and their families many times when I have to go into the room and wake the patient to carry out what the physician or P.A. ORDERS. More often then not I am apologizing all over the place to keep those HCAPS scores up there so the administration of the hospital doesn't send us our monthly nasty-gram. I want to be clear that I DO NOT apologize for the practitioner. I apologize for the inconvenience the order has caused them and I explain in a professional manner that I don't call the shots, but I am responsible for following through for the benefit of the patient. Most of the time I am able to diffuse a potentially explosive session when I convey a caring attitude and that my desire is to carry out necessary and beneficial orders in as non intrusive way as possible, and that I am there as a patient advocate and that I will try to cluster care as much as I possibly can. It is really fulfilling to see some of my , tough-acting, salty, "Cranky-Pants" older male patients turn from lions to lambs by the end of my shift:yes:!
Specializes in cardiovaslular PCU, inpt rehab, HHC, ICU, PP.
donisbac,
Careful now. I am a nurse currently, and a former educator as well. I have to point out that your comment demonstrates very poor grammar and spelling, which often conveys the writer as being ignorant and uneducated. Notice I used the professional word for "stupid". You Sir, or Madam, have put the proverbial "foot in the mouth" and everyone who reads your post sees clearly that you are very lacking. Perhaps you need to find a smart nurse to interpret what I have just written.
Try searching baccalaureate PA programs and you can find them, although you are correct in stating that the trend is towards graduate preparation. The academy itself prefers a Masters degree but doesn't require it for licensure.The academic requirements are different than a NP but the BSN degree which is the prerequisite for an NP is considered by many to be the most stringent 4year degree available. This is not a contest. I would suggest that the NP curricula is a separate orientation completely from a medical doctor whereas the PA was created solely for the purpose of assisting the physician. They are unable to function autonomously as the NP can, depending on the State nurse compact laws. Again, my purpose is not to devalue one or the other, merely to suggest that they are different.
I've heard nurses say horrible things about doctors to patients, as well.
From my experience,the housekeepers are the most well-liked staff, and for good reason.
donisbac,
Careful now. I am a nurse currently, and a former educator as well. I have to point out that your comment demonstrates very poor grammar and spelling, which often conveys the writer as being ignorant and uneducated. Notice I used the professional word for "stupid". You Sir, or Madam, have put the proverbial "foot in the mouth" and everyone who reads your post sees clearly that you are very lacking. Perhaps you need to find a smart nurse to interpret what I have just written.
This is very rude and condescending. Numerous nurses and students are from abroad, and are bilingual or multilingual. Learning a second language is quite a challenge, I have no idea if you have had the experience of learning more than just english, but I would suggest not insulting the linguistics of others. Let's all be cordial and not insult eachother, unlike the PA OP was talking about.
Skippingtowork
342 Posts
I guess if they have a doctorate;)