Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

How to deal with grumpy doctors rushing you off the phone

I'm a new nurse and have such a hard time calling doctors. I got a admission yesterday and needed to call for orders and i felt so rushed.. My preceptor has been helping me write down a few things to ask but by the time I ask him, hes like ok. ok ok.. bye... I hang up and realize, crap i wanted to ask this. UGH.. I dont know, plus i feel so dumb when he asks questions. ADVICE!!? :)

  • Quote

    • Featured Replies

    listen to your preceptor. write it all down before you call. if she has a minute, ask her if you can pretend to call the physician and she can role-play and ask what you'll probably need to know when you do it for real.

    in time you will get a better idea of what most physicians will need to ask you when you call them about their newly-admitted patients with xyz diagnosis, and you'll have a better way of doing your mental filing so you won't have to write it all down. for now, you do.

    and if you have to call the physician back, so be it. so what? better that the physician should be a little cranky with a new nurse than a patient doesn't get what's needed, right? it's more about that, less about you:D. and besides, the physician knows about new nurses and may not think you actually dumb, just...new. it is perfectly acceptable to say, "i don't know, but i will find out and call you right back. is there anything else you need to know?" you can learn from lots of people, including physicians.:D

  • Quote

    Yeh Grn Tea is wright. Write it all down & if u forget something, just call back and say sorry to bother you I'm a new RN I forgot to ask.... perhaps.

    The doc will be grumpy anyway cos they're probly tired, not just grumpy at you. I for one simple ignore it and continue with my diatribe.

  • Quote
    • Experts

    the suggestions above are excellent! remember that there is nothing wrong with telling (or reminding) brusque or grumpy doctors that you're a brand new nurse. after all, they were new once upon a time too and had to learn organizational skills, remember a great many facts about a large number of patients, learn and remember drug side

    effects and usages, etc. etc. etc. if you have to keep reminding them that you're a brand new nurse, so be it, because it's nothing to hide. it just is.

    remind yourself that many,if not most, doctors who are difficult and short tempered, are human too, and as such they get tired, exausted, have family problems, bratty kids, and will become more cooperative and less obnoxious if you don't seem afraid of them, have what information you do have available written down and right in front of you when

    you do call them, and at least sound confident, they'll be more helpful. remember, when you call them at 0:200, it's the middle of the night for them too. i always began my late night calls with an apology for waking them up. rather than appearing to grovel, i think it lets them know that while i had to call, i was sorry for waking them up, even though it comes with their job description.

    for the few who remain grumpy, obnoxious, and rude, keep reminding yourself that it is not you! for truly difficult doctors who develop a pattern of nastiness, report 'em.

    staff note: changed color to be more readable.

  • Quote

    Apologies.

    Checked the spelling on my previous post, corrected it & it is still coming out wrong! Don't know why this is happening.

  • Quote

    I'm not a new nurse anymore, and we have a Dr who routinely hangs up when you're in mid sentence, to anyone and everyone. Very rude and he doesn't care. So there have been many times I have called back. When he has argued with me, I tell him, "I'm just doing my job and letting you know. Goodbye."

  • Quote
    • Author

    thnk you!! all great advice, I think over time I will learn to adapt, but its sooo frustrating that they cant give you 5 minutes, today i called 3 and all 3 gave me a hard time. " DOCTOR her hr is 40, can i hold this med, do you want something else ordered,? ' NO did i say i wanted something, why are you calling me about that, jus hold it.. !! . 2# doctor, the results are in for the stress test, i start reading.... 'I ALREADY READ THAT!!. , I NEED THE NUCLEAR REPORT!!.. ok, let me look for it on the computer, " if you dont know what your doing please give me a nurse who does!!'!!!.. and the 3rd doctor was upset bc he had patients in the office!! " i have patients waiting for me, why are you calling me'''

    !! HELLO... IM CALLING FROM THE HOSPITAL AND THEY ARE SICK, AND THIS IS STEPDOWN lol.. sorry guys :(

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Add a Comment
    Go to topic listing

    Currently Reading 0

    • No registered users viewing this page.

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.