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 :)
There are a couple of surgeons that I cringe when I see their names next to my patient assignment on the board. One called another nurse "f!@king stupid" after she called for what I feel was a legitimate concern. She reported him. Nothing was done. I would still report it. What he said was totally inappropriate.
Am also a new nurse looking for work, and am already anticipating what is out there, that was very very rude and unprofessional. Infact it was an abuse and a threat of course. I thinks it calls for to let your manager know about this so he doesnt get away with these threats to nurses. If we stop making them feel like God and let some of them know they dont own any nurse then i bet some of the rude doctors will learn. all the best in your career
"I'm sorry to bother you, doctor. This is Ruby in the CCU and Mr. CHF has (list issues that prompted the call) and I'm wondering if you'd like to (list interventions that Crusty Old Bat nurse has suggest might be elicited by the phone call)....
If you don't tolerate inappropriate behavior, you'll notice that you stop GETTING inappropriate behavior.
See? It irritates me that the idea of my calling the doctor is "bothering" them. I have overhead other nurses apologize for "bothering" the doctor when they call them, but I just don't get that. The patient is their responsibility too. I'm bothering them to do their job? (I don't mean this as a personal attack, Ruby, it is just something that has always bugged me.)
See? It irritates me that the idea of my calling the doctor is "bothering" them. I have overhead other nurses apologize for "bothering" the doctor when they call them, but I just don't get that. The patient is their responsibility too. I'm bothering them to do their job? (I don't mean this as a personal attack, Ruby, it is just something that has always bugged me.)
I never say "sorry" to the docs...just to the point, tell them my suggestions and use of PRNs, have a quick convo on what needs to be additionally worked up, then jump on it.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
See? It irritates me that the idea of my calling the doctor is "bothering" them. I have overhead other nurses apologize for "bothering" the doctor when they call them, but I just don't get that. The patient is their responsibility too. I'm bothering them to do their job? (I don't mean this as a personal attack, Ruby, it is just something that has always bugged me.)
I have been an RN for over 35 years and nothing has changed in this respect. The hospitals are so afraid of offending these "demi-gods" and that they would take their patients elsewhere, that they say nothing of serious nature to these asocial creeps. I have had them hang up on me, say sarcastic words, refuse to address the issue for which I called-- and I have been told to not call them back tonight and they will see the patient in the morning. Until administration backs us in out jobs, then nothing will change.
I see your point. It may be a useful tactic, I just personally can't bring myself to say it. I prefer, "wake up and don't be an *******". Just kidding.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I never say "sorry" to the docs
Me either, with one exception. If I accidently call the wrong doctor and wake up a guy who is not on call and not responsible for taking care of patients that night I will apogogize. My bad. However if the doctor is on call and responsible for taking patient care calls from nursers I would NEVER apologize for calling them.
Report the doctor to their superior. There is no excuse for a doctor to speak to a nurse that way, ever! I reported a rude doctor once, she was reprimanded. If we let these things go unreported, doctors will continue. Time for nurses to stand up for respect!
I want to say thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences, advice, and opinions on this post. I'm learning so much these past few months; and this was quite the learning experience. It has been very challenging - but little by little I'm getting the hang of things and learning the ropes. All your replies were very helpful and has helped me how to deal with such situations like this. Next time, I'll be much more firm and say "Stop" when things start to become way too inappropriate. Everything is intimidating as a new grad, especially when standing up to others who are degrading. But eventually, I'll grow out of that. My main focus is to learn as much as I can and maintain patient safety. As long as my patients are safe and are getting the care they need, then that's what matters most. Everyone's been really supportive here and at work - and I'm truly grateful to have this. Thank you so much! :)
I have been a nurse for almost 20 years. I agree with some of the posts and some I do not. I disagree with the ones who say do not report it. Here's why. In my years of management this lack of documentation has caused me a lot of problems. We all know the person that doesn't do their job. The aide that can't be found. The nurse who never answers her phone and doesn't document properly. Then there would be a "significant" issue. However, I couldn't fire them. Why? Because I didn't have all the "little" documentation that would lead up to justifying this. Trust me, even in right to work states you need to follow appropriate documentation of problems. With JCAHO tracking this, as an employee you have the right to not work in a hostile workplace. The documentation helps with a pattern. Sooner or later the hospital will have to address it, especially if a call is made to JCAHO if the hospital doesn't handle it.
Yes, you standing up for youself will help diminish it. It doesn't help the next new nurse and the one after that. It is uncalled for. You are the patient's advocate. When you are afraid to call the doctor for fear of being yelled at, the patient is the one who suffers. You let them itch all night because you don't want to wake the doctor up for hydrocortisone cream or a benadryl. NO! That is not fair to the patient.
i would have just said, "Please do not speak to me that way... Now, I am calling about xyz abc..."
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Maybe I am alone here, but I simply could not say "please" to someone who had just treated me like a piece of garbage. And quite honestly, it surprises me that some posters here have minimized his ridiculous behavior, stating the reason that nurses call unprepared.
Just kidding.
sommeil, ASN, RN
80 Posts
There are a couple of surgeons that I cringe when I see their names next to my patient assignment on the board. One called another nurse "f!@king stupid" after she called for what I feel was a legitimate concern. She reported him. Nothing was done. I would still report it. What he said was totally inappropriate.