Doing the "Right" thing...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

First, based on what you wrote, you were not wrong. Does the physician have ownership in this practice? I probably would have filed an incident report after that altercation, simply to have it on record and afford you the opportunity to tell your side of the story.

Who specifically fired you, and what was their reasoning?

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Thank you for responding, klone.

- The particular physician in question is contracted, with no ownership.

- The two owners, who are both physicians, always side with the doctors in any disputes--there is no "other side."

- I have not technically been fired; I work part-time, so they have not scheduled me the rest of the month and "do not think there will be room on the schedule for me in the future." The only reason I have been given for not being on the schedule is they have too many full-time workers that they have to schedule and they don't have room for me now.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I'm sorry. You did the right thing. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and all that.

Can you financially afford to be unemployed for the next few months until you graduate? If so, I'd say that you should take this opportunity to immerse yourself in school as you deal with finals and NCLEX prep. You will have great experience to put on your resume, as well as documented evidence of longevity with a facility.

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

Wow. I have dealt with doctors who are exactly like that, you aren't alone. Sadly, you are likely to encounter more such arrogant jerks in your nursing career. I am so sorry this happened to you. How passive aggressive of them too, to not have the cajones to just fire you. You need to resign inmediately.

If I were in your position, I would ask one of the docs (not the one you got into it with) point blank, if they could provide a good reference for you. Don't be afraid to ask this. Do it with a smile, and just be direct and pleasant about it. Just say, "I'll be applying to jobs and hope to count on your good reference in the future." Thank them for everything, shake hands and RUN AWAY.

That's so messed up. Don't ever stop being an advocate like you did. You absolutely did the right thing and while that doesn't always win you popularity contests, you'll sleep a hell of a lot better than that doctor ever will. Peace.

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm so sorry that you are going through this. I believe you absolutely did the right thing. As a nurse, we ALWAYS need to advocate for our patients. Where I work, the physician is not my boss and has no say in my employment. We are colleagues. I think that is where you fell into misfortune here, because your superiors are physicians. My boss is a fellow nurse who will usually err on the nursing side. Never stop advocating for your patients, you will make a great nurse.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Wow. I have dealt with doctors who are exactly like that, you aren't alone. Sadly, you are likely to encounter more such arrogant jerks in your nursing career. I am so sorry this happened to you. How passive aggressive of them too, to not have the cajones to just fire you. You need to resign inmediately.

If I were in your position, I would ask one of the docs (not the one you got into it with) point blank, if they could provide a good reference for you. Don't be afraid to ask this. Do it with a smile, and just be direct and pleasant about it. Just say, "I'll be applying to jobs and hope to count on your good reference in the future." Thank them for everything, shake hands and RUN AWAY.

That's so messed up. Don't ever stop being an advocate like you did. You absolutely did the right thing and while that doesn't always win you popularity contests, you'll sleep a hell of a lot better than that doctor ever will. Peace.

THIS.

Move forward, and much success to you on becoming a nurse. :up:

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

That sucks but I think you would have felt worse if you didn't stand up for the patient. You absolutely did the right thing.

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What a jerk! I've worked with doctors like this and you did the right thing. Never get tired of doing the right thing and being a patient advocate.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

As the parent of a special needs child and someone who works with special complex children and teens you ABSOLUTELY did the right thing. The physician has ethical issues and was violating patient rights.

Not sure who you would report to or if it would be worth it. Follow alukahawks suggestion for a reference and run far away

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Well.... Funny you should mention it... (not really funny) but I'm in the middle of a separation also, so I'm probably going to have to move out shortly. I always land on my feet, so it will be OK. Plus, I see the light at the end of the tunnel with my graduation and hoping I will make a quick transition to an RN position. Then all this happened at work and I'm like :nailbiting:!!! It's really been a hard year...

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Yikes!! What a jerk doctor! No, you were not wrong....you were brave and I absolutely commend you for advocating for your patient. It's sickening and SO disturbing that the MD could be so insensitive. I would like to describe him with other words, but would definitely violate the TOS :sour: !! Good luck to you...sounds like brighter days are surely ahead.

BTW....just two weeks ago, a dearly loved and respected member of AN's staff advised and supported me through my own similar situation (via my frantic PM's to her) with another doctor who was also being a jerk to patients (Thanks again, Esme12 !! Hugs to you ! ). You'll always find lots of intelligent, compassionate, awe-inspiring nurses to talk to on AN. Again, good luck to you .

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