help a greenie out

Nurses General Nursing

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I am about as green as they get. Just started to work about 1 month ago & here is my problem- For the first time today I had a doc speak to me like I had no brain. I had this pt. who had a ice pack on his shoulder (no big deal) but he also had this weird device to keep it on that area. He was about to be d/c and the doc was in his room. Pt. asked me to help him put this ice holder thing on his shoulder which had not been used on my entire shift and I have never seen it before. When I asked him how they had put it on previously and he was trying to me, the doc look at me and said "you don't know how to do that?" I explained this was something I had not seen before and he repiled " the pt did not go to school to be an RN, you need to find someone who knows what they are doing." Stunned I asked 2 RN with 20+ exp. and neither knew how either. To make a long story short (a little late for that!) the doc did not know how to put it on either!! I was so angrey I almost said "well I did not go to school to be an MD, maybe we should call a doc who knows what they are doing! I of course did not say this. But I did not know how to react to his demeaning attitude. Any advice from you with experience for any future run ins?

Thanks in advance-

Green- but not completely brain dead.:confused:

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Get used to it. They think they are superior human beings.

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Get used to it. They think they are superior human beings.

Of course you could try to defend yourself, but it will fall on deaf ears and you will get labeled "trouble maker".

SOME MD's are nice though.

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Sorry, didn't mean to post twice in a row.

Now I guess it's three times in a row!

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Originally posted by shygirl

Get used to it. They think they are superior human beings.

Ditto to what shygirl has spoken here! :)

I just would like to add......for addition sake......Doctors are SUPER Docs and Nurses are SUPER Nurses and we both tend to rub each other's AZZES with the wrong butter at times. :chuckle

Just suck it up and move on.......no pun intended. :lol2: :kiss

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I am really sorry that the dr was a jerk.... But unfortunately this will happen.... you are going to have to pick and choice your battles when it comes to drs with attitude problems... Usually if you throw it back at them like....I would really like to learn from the best could you show me?? I have said that and they love the ego stroke and I love watching them squirm since they have no idea how to do it either lol

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Thanks for the advice-I guess I just never saw it coming and it kind of took me back for a sec, I've heard many stories so I guess I should have been prepared to ingore such. But like I said I'm green!!

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There is one thing that all male and female Doc's have in common and that is EGO. As slinkeecat said, strike em! er, stroke em.

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When Doctor's get thier underpants in a bunch like that, I look them square in the eyes and say "Doctor...I am attempting to carry out your order for OUR patient. In order to do this, I'll need clarification. Can you afford this to me?"

Works 99% of the time. The other 1% are those doc's that are brain dead with a poor prognosis of recovery. (Smile).

Oh yeah...Additionally, even though its after the fact, go online and research the shoulder apparatus until you know it so well you can manufacter it! You'll be the wiser next time AND can help out the next person who might be in the same boat one day....

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I cannot agree with the grin and bear it technique at all. It may be the trouble maker in me but i always talk back. The last time a MD talked to me that way I asked him into the NURSES lounge and told him mateer of factly that if he ever spoke to me like that in front of one of MY patients that i would file a formal complaint with the Parish( County ) medical society, the hospital administration, & anyone else that might listen to me. I will not in any case be a doormat to a doctor. As nurses we are always trying to garner professional respect from our peers. (Doctors) Until we as a whole can convince them that we are their peers and equals we will never get the respect we so justly deserve.

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Take one day at a time and pray for those who persecute you.

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I wouldn't have taken it either, and would have handled it. EXACTLY how biscuit_007 handled it. It's episodes like this that get you no respect and I'd guarentee you that he'll think twice about letting his ego get in your way the next time. Troublemaker? I think not, more like being his mother and putting him in his place! You don't have to get used to his kind of behavior, and neither does anyone else...He might think he's God, but ...Stand up for yourself and be heard!

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