How do you go about handling a rude Dr.

[RN 4 U]

Hi, I am still in my first year of nursing. I have 3 more months til my year is up, and one of my biggest complaints is having to put up with rude dr. i mean, nursing is stressful by itself especially on the floor that i work, vascular/renal stepdown unit. I just recently started the nightshift as well. One day last week a doctor(resident) got smart with me when i was only doing my job and it really ticked me off. are we nurses suppose to just sit there like a sitting duck and take this kind of treatment. i was really upset, all i could do is walk off not responding to his comment and find other things that i could be doing. Of course the same dr. needed my assitance some minutes later. This happens a lot and is one of the reasons why i don't think i will be renewing my employment after my year is up. This was not in my job description nor did anyone tell me that it would be like this once i started. Where would the physician be if there were not nurses, where would the patients be, ( i hate to think) Yet we are suppose to sit there and take this type of treatment. How do you handle a rude dr. What is the best way to handle this situation? I have 3 more months of this and then, i am gone. And i have to ask myself, they wonder why there is a nursing shortage. I didnt come into this profession to be abused. How do you handle a rude dr, i would really like to hear some suggestions or advice on this topic.

[SarasotaRN2b]

Well, considering that he is a resident...I would first suggest speaking with him as a few of the others have suggested, being as professional as possible. If that doesn't work, go to his boss (start with chief resident). If it is the chief resident, and he continues to act rudely like this, go to the attending.

[AirforceRN, RN]

Lots of different opinions going on here...might as well add to the mix...

1) Res ipsa loquitor = It speaks for itself...

I don't know why you wrote it in latin...maybe related to #2

2) Passive aggressive is not the way to go. It's how teenagers try to deal with things they don't like but can't stand up to. I think this is one of nursing's biggest problems. We so often skirt around the issues because we are afraid to stand up for ourselves. I am by no means trying to encite a riot or anything like that, but attempting to solve a problem through passive-aggressive means is weak and childish. We are big people, we have an advanced education, we should never feel that we have to resort to that in order to solve issues or make ourselves feel more powerful.

3)Yes, there are some "oldschool" nurses who maybe shouldn't be in the job, just as there are some "newbie" nurses who shouldn't be in the job. BUT if you listen to the old nurses I guarantee that you will learn more than you ever did in school. These people are fountains of knowledge, have been around the nursing block and are the ones that will keep their cool when everyone else is freaking out because Dr. Bloggins is in a bad mood.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

One thing that I believe really helps in dealing with doctors is coming across as an educated person. Having a good vocabulary and proper grammar really helps garner the respect of the physicians with whom we work. I notice that some nurses have weak vocabularies and improper grammar. Educated professionals definately notice this and pass judgements based on what they hear come out of our mouths.

[tgb3rn]

I like my way of dealing with that type, I just give them a look like I'm going to rip his freaking head off. But then again I'm a 6'1", 230lb, big hairy man nurse:devil:. They don't need to know I wouldn't hurt a fly. This has worked well for me to this point but doubt it will for most others.

Tom.

[EmmaG, RN]

LMAO

Big hairy man nurse :lol2:

[dawnd470]

I think there are two issues here.

First, I find it hard to believe that ALL of the doctors are rude. I've been in nursing for 19 years, and have encountered my share of rude doctors, but have also had the pleasure of working with some wonderful physicians, a couple of whom have actually become friends of mine. I think that when you're new to nursing, you're a little more sensitive to doctors' behavior, perhaps a little insecure about your own abilities due to inexperience, and I hate to admit it, but sometimes new nurses tend to be a bit arrogant themselves. Looking back, I can see how I may have been a bit irritating, and thought I knew everything.....I now know that we learn more each day and nobody ever knows everything.

Second, if this doctor was truly being unprofessional, then no, you do not need to put up with it. I worked with a doctor in a family pracitce office once who did not like my documentation because I had written a complaint that the patient had that he did not want to address........he tore my notes out of the chart and ripped them up in front of the patient. Once we stepped out of the patient room, I quietly informed him that my notes are part of the patient's chart, a legal document, the same as his are, and that I will not tolerate being treated as less than a professional. From that point on, the doc and I had a great working relationship.......sometimes they'll test you to see what you're made of. Stand your ground, but be sure you're on the right ground.

[fusionfire32]

I see a lot of good advice given by you all to a new nurse who has just entered this field. I am not sure if the person in question has any background in healthcare setting or not but i will tell you my side. I am a mature 3rd year student who came into nursing from working for an International Bank and stock control. i had no background in healthcare and was virtually unaware of the profession. in my first year what helped me was my confidence. even if i was shaking inside i managed to look very confident on the outside. i have had bad experiences in my training, but the way i handle them is talk to the person in question in private and tell them what you think they are doing to people around you and especially you. dont take all this nonsense from no one. you are worth a lot more than anyone spoiling it for you. praise yourself enough and give yourself lots of credit. confidence is good but dont let your ego come in way and keep your head leveled at all times and i am sure you will succeed.

fusion

[JQuezadaS4]

... I have heard and wached as a patient MDs treating nurses badly! I am a student nurse, and I hope I dont run into this problem too often, but I know MD's are people too and understandibly have "off days." I think in this situation, the best thing to do is to talk to them and let them know where you stand. If it continues write em up!EVERYTIME! Nurses are not stress relieving squishy balls or emotional punching bags!

[country mom]

I have found that when anyone is shouting or yelling at me that an effective way to defuse the situation is to ask, "are you upset at me personally or are you upset at the situation?" This question has helped with co-workers, patients, and docs.. helps to clarify what the problem is, and takes the onus off of you...

That is excellent advice and if I might add, it does work. I've also tried, "I understand you're upset, however right now this patient needs.......". As long as you don't show anger, you're the one in control. And if they're being a major horse's rear end and won't stop with the ranting, I just walk away. You don't have to stand there and accept insults. Always remember, it's their problem they can't act like a professional, not yours. Don't give up what can be a rewarding career because some people can't control themselves. You're going to have jerks to put up with in whatever industry you choose.

[vcn1980]

On the whole acting with dignity and maturity is the way to go as so many others have said. However there are occasions when we snap, for example a doc I was working with (and had done for quite a while) frequently left exam equipment in patient's rooms and seemed to expect it to be back in it's correct place next time he wanted it. After about 2 months of this I was chaperoning a physical exam he was doing on a female patient. He had finished and was walking out of the room and I called "Dr, you realise my name is not Florence?" He turned and looked at me, puzzled. "Yes, the days of nurses being doctors handmaidens are long gone. In fact, some doctors have been known to tidy up after themselves." After turning a fetching shade of red he cleared up all of his equipment and put it away. We went on to become good friends, and although I did have to endure several months of being called Florence my mini rant worked.

A less than professional way to deal with grouchy docs is to do what a friend of mine once did. Following a public humiliation where the doc in question had shouted at her in the middle of the ward for something which was not her fault, she laced his coffee with furosemide - he was due in surgery shortly after. Fortunately as an observer rather than surgeon.

Lastly, if you do get into a shouting match (something I avoid but as clinical lead is sometimes inevitable) make sure you are right. There is nothing better than having a consultant threaten all kinds of wrath, including having your PIN/licence taken off you and then have them come and apologise. Do not gloat, just accept the apology and move on. Ours is not a profession where it is possible to bear grudges.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

A less than professional way to deal with grouchy docs is to do what a friend of mine once did. Following a public humiliation where the doc in question had shouted at her in the middle of the ward for something which was not her fault, she laced his coffee with furosemide - he was due in surgery shortly after. Fortunately as an observer rather than surgeon.

That's quite a bit worse that 'unprofessional', it's absolutely criminal. I wouldn't be 'friends' with anyone like that.

[busy-bee]

Working in a LTCF we don't see the DR. often, mostly NP. Several years ago, the DR. did come in, and I introduced the Dr. to the patient's husband, related to husband stated early in shift, he had never met the Dr. (patient had been there for several years). All I did was state, "Oh Mr...*** this is Dr.***." They shook hands and that was that. Several minutes later the Dr. came up to me and said "Don't ever do that again!" and abruptly left. I was shocked to say the least. I report the Dr. to the D.O.N. related to this was a terrible thing for the doctor to do.........was he afraid he might have to actually do something or answer questions from the husband.

Then again several months later, I called him with a patient who was in Acute Resp. Distress and I called the answering needing a STAT phone response (it usually took him over one hour to return calls). I had a CNA manning the phone while I ran to the room to continue care (not like I had any help from another nurse)......the CNA paged me that the DR. was on the phone. I run to phone.......I tell him patient RR is 40, I need order to send him to ER....he states "is this patient a DNR" I state yes, but I know family well enough to know they would want patient to have treatment and to be sent to ER....he states "Okay, but don't call me stat next time you act like you are dealing with full code patients....these people are dying anyway. And if you're going to call me STAT you better be by the phone" This really mad me mad but without even thinking I said "well Dr.*** I mean no disrespect, but I have to care for the patient and had a CNA manning the phone and as far as dying, well SO ARE YOU!" and I hung up. He no longer works for our facility. Thank God. The patient was admitted to the Hospital and returned several weeks later.