Hi. I'm a brand new RN working nights on a telemetry med-surg unit. Just started off on my own. I know there are a handful of topics on this particular subject. But I just wanted to share a particular experience I had last night calling a doctor regarding a patient, and wanted to hear how some of you would've handled this. If there is anything I need to work on, it is my assertive skills.
So I called the doctor. And it went like this...
Me: Hi Dr _____. This is ____ from _____. I'm calling in regards to a patient, _____ from room ______ who came in w/ _______. Are you familiar with him??
Dr: If you ask me that question again, I will beat your head!!! Are you stupid? Didn't you see my name on the board!? Don't you dare ask me that. Just get straight to the #^#/ point.
Of course, I apologized. Then continued and so forth, just trying to get to the point while he still rambled on. I suppose it was a dumb question. I mean, I'm still figuring all the things in the hospital and Doctor names, who is on call/who covers who, who is private - just still figuring how everything works and so forth. But still, I felt that was just a bit overboard. Yes he is a private doctor; and maybe it was a dumb thing I asked (I always ask "are you familiar with this patient" with every greeting to determine the familiarity and how much background history to provide - maybe I shouldn't ask that).
Well, at least I got orders... and I got to finally make the patient comfortable (he was ETOH withdrawal) I know that some angry or irritated doctors will just hang up or say whatever and leave you like "Huh?"
I don't know. Afterward, and even still now, I feel kind of bad. Even feel intimidated if I have to to speak to him again. I asked some of my coworkers their opinion, and apparently they weren't too surprised and told me he usually bickers about petty things such as so. What do you guys think? How do you handle angry or rude doctors or coworkers? Any advice to someone too soft like me. Thanks :)
I've come to expect a certain level of rudeness when calling doctors, especially during night shift. But threatening violence is not acceptable. I'm all for reporting the jerk. A while back a doctor at my facility actually had his privileges revoked, and his lousy behavior towards the nurses was part of the reason.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Of course, I apologized.
What? Why would you apologize? You were threatened with physical harm.
The answer the question, I like to catch the worst offenders alone in the parking lot and have a "talk" with them. I make them have to ask each other, "How do we deal with an angry PMFB?"
hmm you are better than me. I would first off report him. I am a nurse , an adult, and i do not get paid to be verbally harassed. If he doesnt like his job that is his problem. Just last week a dr tried to get an attitude with me and i got it right back and guess what? he got reprimanded.
That was beyond rude on the doctors part. That was a threat of harm and you need to report that to your manager. Do not ever be afraid to stand up for yourself and part of that is reporting things like that to your manager. You were doing your job, taking care of his patient, he should be ashamed of himself for talking to you like that. Also private attending or not he is on call for patients so too bad for him if he was woken up! Keep up the good work!
yes, you probably should rephrase whenever you talk on the phone with the docs. Just be like hi, this is _____ on whatever unit. I'm calling about (patient's name). I never even used to state a room number (I don't have to deal with those damn docs anymore, lol). Patient is having extreme amounts of pain, and the Ultram isn't helping. Can we try morphine? .... that's just an example but something like that. But as others have said, you definitely should report this at least to your assistant manager.
I will tell you, though. When I worked on the surgery unit, there was this one surgeon who was notorious for being a d***. He would sometimes yell in frustration for whatever reason and always spoke as if us nurses had a 2nd grade level education. The day that I turned in my 2-week notice to my manager, he came up to me and said that it always put a smile on his face whenever he walked into his patients room and saw my name on the board. He wished me good luck with my current job, said I would be missed, etc. I still haven't forgotten those words and the look on his face.
So you never know... maybe your doc will have a complete 180 someday :)
So sorry this happened to you! You are not the one with the problem; the doc is. That is one of the hardest lessons for me to learn in life. I am an overly responsible caregiver. As such, I'm often given opportunities to learn that THIS IS NOT MY STUFF. The rude behavior is not your stuff, don't jump into his steaming pile.
First decide if you want to put any more energy into it after you've gotten empathy and are clear you aren't the one with the problem. I traveled with a small group of whom four were doctors and one was a nurse. I'm a lawyer. The doctors drove me crazy. Every single one of them knew everything about everything and had no hesitation telling everyone. I asked my nurse friend, "How do you WORK with these people?" She said, "I smile, listen politely, and then do what I need to do to take care of the patient." Other nurses have told me stories of calling grumpy doctors every hour throughout the night until the doc would deal with a patient's pain, getting roared at with every call.
If you think you do need to take some action with this guy then first, I'd get calm and centered on my intention. I'd then write the doctor a letter. First, I'd state my intention to be of service to the doctor so you both can deliver the best patient care. I'd then state what you understood him to say about how he wants you to begin telephone conversations with him. Then ask him to advise if you've misunderstood. And I truly would keep the intention to be of the best service in my heart.
I'd write the letter for several reasons. First, it is a chance to improve the relationship by gaining clarity. Second, if the relationship doesn't improve, it's excellent documentation (about each of you.) If the relationship improves, great. If it happens again and you need to report him, you're in a stronger position. I think it's a pretty universal organizational value that individuals should try to work things out between themselves before approaching management.
If you report him now, it's a he said/she said situation with a huge power imbalance. (Doc versus new nurse?) If you report him after trying to resolve the problem on your own (with documentation), you're in a stronger position.
Caveat: I will be a nursing student this fall and so I know nothing about working as a nurse. I do have several decades behind me working as a lawyer and experiencing conflict and misconduct within a bureaucracy, so I'm approaching your problem from that perspective.
There is a gift in here for you. I hope as a nurse that you believe that every person is worthy of dignity and respect, including YOU. You have a chance to walk your talk even though storms may rage around you. Law students and young lawyers routinely get beat up and bulldozed learning their trade. I'm guessing nurses endure the same. You can do it.
I have over 30 years experience and would not put up with being treated that way. I would get the orders I needed first (patient first) and then I would address his rude behavior with him. And I would also report him. This is unacceptable behavior on his part and you did nothing wrong. Keep up the good work :)
I've said, "Excuse me, Dr. Jones. You should be aware you're on speaker..."
Oh janfrn - that is perfect!
I see nothing wrong with asking if the physician is familiar with the patient. Many times the docs ask us for more details to jog their memories about patients or the meds they are on, etc.
Even if something you do irritates him/her, there is no reason to jump on someone like that.
We all get irritated and tired - I can cut some slack with co-workers who don't act that way all the time. But consistently that way? That's a management problem.
I would write an email to your manager and explain the whole story and the threats/abuse that the doctor made to you. All hospitals have a disruptive clinician policy now as required by the joint commission, I would look up your hospital's policy and report it also to whoever is in charge of that. I have been a nurse for 12 years and I have had angry doctors return my calls, but have never had a threat like that! If he treats enough people this way and they report him he will be fired.
I would definitely report him for a comment like that. With that being said, I have found doctors attitudes are different based on where you are. I'm originally from NJ, and the majority of the docs up there are nasty. I have lived in NC for four years, and the docs here are wonderful!!! I'm currently a weekend RN, so I always dread when I have to call someone, because I figure sooner or later I will get someone with an attitude. I always start the conversation off with "I'm so sorry to bother you on the weekend, but..." which gives them the idea that I have done everything in my power to avoid it. I don't know what gives them the idea that we're happy about working weekends/nights/holidays
NotReady4PrimeTime, RN
5 Articles; 7,358 Posts
I've said, "Excuse me, Dr. Jones. You should be aware you're on speaker..."