First day in ICU!

[Noney]

Hi everyone. I had my first day of orientation in icu today. It was great. I really think I'm going to like it. I just transferred after 2 years on med/tele.

One of the things that bothered me was the way some of the docters interacted with the icu nurses, some of the doc's that treat nurse's on the floor poorly seemed to treat the icu nurses completed differently. I think I'll enjoy this:D , but it bothers me that they judge a nurse's competency based on where they work.

Oh, well I'm back for 12 more in the morning. (Which is another thing getting up in the wee hours for orientation when I am used to nights:eek: )

Noney

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

I have worked with 2 male nurses who were and are just plain lazy. The doctors know this, they don't want these guys taking care of their patients, but they talk ball, golf, cars and even sex with these guys. How do I know? Been there, heard it, saw it, and felt the sting.

Tweety, you are right when you say some male nurses approach a doctor in a more confident manner. When you have been drinking with them and have seen them drunk, it takes away the "Godlike" image a lot of doctors have.

I don't mean to sound negative but I have been asked to "redo" dressings, help with procedures, do personal requests for female patients because these male nurses were to uncomfortable. While I did not mind doing for these female patients, I often wondered why these male nurses would not return the favor when a male patient wanted the enema given by a male. This was awhile back in my career, now if they ask for a favor, I make sure I give them a task to do. If they can't then I have sort of let them know, "busy right now, come back later." One of these guys may con another nurse into doing their job but it is not me anymore.

By the way, one did get into a lot of trouble last week, seems that he did not do a dressing change and irrigation as ordered. Doctor finally stated, at the desk in front of the CN, he was not going to keep letting him slide, his orders were to be completed, if not then he wanted called. Male nurse was surprised and angry, but he is finally doing most of his assigned duties now.

Don't get me wrong, the majority of male nurses I have worked with are great and do a wonderful job, these two are just lazy and would not work well at any job. But doctors do have the male bonding thing going on with male nurses where I have worked.

[Noney]

Thanks for the link Mark, I bookmarked it.

Noney

[DapperRN]

Best of luck to you in the ICU! I ended up in ICU as a fluke, but don't regret it one bit. I would be inclined to agree that as an ICU nurse I seem to get more respect from certain physicians than the med/surg nurses do. I think part of the reason is that I work side by side with these docs and they get to know me really well. This of course is no excuse however, they know that when I say I need something and fast I mean it. As a male RN I also agree that I am treated different that some of my female colleagues, however I'm not drinkin' buddies with these guys. Again, fair? No but I also do not stand idly by when one of them is saying something inappropriate to one of my colleagues that they wouldn't dare say to me. Anyway, best of luck to ya and have fun in the ICU there is alot to learn there!