How to Deal with a Micromanaging Doc

caliotter3 · Aug 14, 2014

Ehh, if it bothers you enough you could talk to him about it. That might cause a change, either for the better or for worse. You could also bust your rear end trying to convince him to include you and treat you better. If that route is successful, it might take time. You could decide just to let this slide off your back and tend to other concerns. But if you feel strongly enough about this, you could look for another position. How much do you like the job otherwise, and are you ready to leave the job because of this? Up to you to come to the right conclusion for you. Good luck.

LadyInScrubs121 · Aug 16, 2014

Thanks for replying. No it's not enough to look for another position. I really like the office I'm at. So today for example, it's the end of the day and we are talking all three of us, he only makes eye contact with the other nurse it's like I'm not included even though we all were talking. Also when he pages out for help with a pt I feel like he gets bummed out if I come in like he wishes it was the other nurse helping him. In the beginning he would teach me as I went along I I had to assist him etc, now I feel he is annoyed with me because I am not an exact copy of his seasoned nurse. I though about talking to my supervisor about how I feel. The other nurse and I get along so well and she gives good advice as well as she thinks I'm overthinking things and bumming myself out but I can't help it :/

LTCNS, LPN · Aug 16, 2014

Sounds like he has gotten so comfortable with her that he just can't bring himself to rely on anyone else, no matter how good you are, or how much of an effort you make to prove yourself to him. He probably feels like, although you are good at your job, she always gets it done in the way he prefers. She probably anticipates his every move so he just automatically looks to her.

I had a personal physician once who had a nurse he relied on so much for everything that when she was out for vacation for a week he was pitiful. The poor nurse filling in for her just could not do things the way "his nurse" did. I had an appt. with him while his nurse was out and he said he felt like he had lost his right arm.

I personally feel it's not a good idea for a provider to rely so much on one nurse. What if she has to leave the job for some reason? He needs to learn to feel comfortable with delegating tasks to every nurse he works with. It's not fair to you or the other nurse if he is always running to her and leaving you out.

LadyInScrubs121 · Aug 16, 2014

Sounds like he has gotten so comfortable with her that he just can't bring himself to rely on anyone else, no matter how good you are, or how much of an effort you make to prove yourself to him. He probably feels like, although you are good at your job, she always gets it done in the way he prefers. She probably anticipates his every move so he just automatically looks to her.
I had a personal physician once who had a nurse he relied on so much for everything that when she was out for vacation for a week he was pitiful. The poor nurse filling in for her just could not do things the way "his nurse" did. I had an appt. with him while his nurse was out and he said he felt like he had lost his right arm.
I personally feel it's not a good idea for a provider to rely so much on one nurse. What if she has to leave the job for some reason? He needs to learn to feel comfortable with delegating tasks to every nurse he works with. It's not fair to you or the other nurse if he is always running to her and leaving you out.

Man an you hit the nail right on the head!!

caliotter3 · Aug 16, 2014

I accompanied my peds patient to a routine MD visit. I felt like you did when he looked straight at the mother and only spoke to her without even acknowledging my presence. Finally, when a topic came up that I could not just sit back and be mum about, I spoke. He still refused to look at me. I kept on talking until he had to come to the realization that the mother was not saying anything. On a subsequent visit you would laugh along with me at what happened, except it was not funny in the least. I had noted a clinical concern that bothered me so much that I put it in writing and included data that covered more than a month. More than a year went by. Then this doctor went bonkers when the same thing turned up yet again during another visit. I had only been reporting on it for over a year while being ignored. At some point I came to the conclusion that there was more wrong with the doctor than I cared to make my concern. I voiced my experiences with my clinical supervisor. Sounds like you also have a doctor that is bullheaded about something. Not much you can do but what you are supposed to do. And make sure you cover your back with your actions and documentation because when something goes wrong he will look at you instead of her. I can guarantee that.