frustrating doctors

ebear, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2011

What is the most frustrating thing that has happened with a physician and how did you handle it?

Do you have time to read "War And Peace"? BWAAAA!!!

LouisVRN, RN · Jan 5, 2011

I got yelled at for 45 minutes because the patient had an arterial bleed. I was not the patient's nurse, I happened to be orienting another nurse that night and was hence pulled to help sandbag the patient until he decided to show up.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2011

Hmmm...I guess I have been lucky enough to work with docs that don't frustrate me to no end. If there is a problem, I address it with them and it is forgotten. I get mostly frustrated with co-workers who are constantly giving excuses as to why they can't do the work...my feet hurt, I don't know how to do this, so I just won't do it, I am calling out because I didn't sleep well, I think I may have an allergy to dust, so I won't help you clean, etc. While I understand that all of these reasons can be valid, it still frustrates me. I am trying to learn patience and to be more understanding without seething on the inside.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jan 5, 2011

I agree that I get more frustrations from other nurses, but everybody has their bad days.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2011

Canoe, I know. I try to keep this in mind and try to stay positive.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2011

I wish new docs knew as much as experienced docs.

Dealing with docs who are half asleep is sort of frustrating.

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 6, 2011

I had a doctor who refused to come in for a 16yo pt who was about to deliver a non-viable infant. In spite of the fact that the family asked to speak to her repeatedly, and had even mentioned the word "lawsuit."

handyrn · Jan 6, 2011

I worked in the OR for a short time. I had a surgeon get mad at me when I told him the needle count was off and he THREW NEEDLE HOLDERS WITH USED SUTURE NEEDLES IN THEM AT ME!!!! 9That is the reason I only worked in the OR for a short time.) I was FORBIDDEN to write him up because he was on the hospitals board of directors.

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Jan 6, 2011

I worked in the OR for a short time. I had a surgeon get mad at me when I told him the needle count was off and he THREW NEEDLE HOLDERS WITH USED SUTURE NEEDLES IN THEM AT ME!!!! 9That is the reason I only worked in the OR for a short time.) I was FORBIDDEN to write him up because he was on the hospitals board of directors.

THIS type of BS makes me so mad.

Can I ask WHO it was that forbade it? I would think there isn't truly anything someone could do to STOP it, KWIM? Were there witnesses? That would help. If your job would have been at risk, you'd have a decent case for wrongful termination if it happened to happen after doing this write-up.

Either way, the fact that you would be told you CAN'T makes me so angry. That's how people get away with this stuff, and how they then keep doing it.

handyrn · Jan 6, 2011

The OR manager told me I couldn't write the Dr. up. Said if I did it would just get swept under the rug, lost, etc. Actually, this Dr. was a real bully and the nurse manager was afraid of him as well.

To be honest with you, I am a geriatrics nurse. Pretty much always have been, always will be. I just thought I would try out the OR to see if it was a fit for me. I was terrible at it! I was terrible and I knew it, so it was just easier to quit than to fight this Dr. I think my manager gave a big sigh of relief when I quit because she knew that, although I really enjoyed OR, I sucked at it!

And truth be told, I am not "sue happy" even when I should be. (Heck, a postal worker was opening my mail and reading my correspondence for a while and I probably could have cashed in then but I didn't.) I probably owe the medical community a big appology for not persuing the suture needle throwing Dr. as it just allows it to continue. Ok, sorry.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2011

Handy, in this day and age, I imagine that someone who will no doubt be hurt by this jackwagon's tantrums will provide the necessary rope for this bully surgeon to hang himself with. I doubt anyone will have a sharp enough scalpel to cut him loose.