How would you handle this?

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This happened on my nursing unit. Two doctors were conversing in the NURSING lounge. As nurses came in to have their lunch breaks, they were being asked by the doctors to give them some privacy. I don't know the exact wordings : give us a few minutes, give us some privacy, excuse us for a few minutes, etc... How do you response to this? How would the doctors feel if we come in their lounges to have some private conversation! I know that they were probably discussing some sensitive case, but they should do it in their lounge. Space is tight on this unit. Most of us have to computerized chart in hall or in locker room (off the hall). I think it's pathetic that upper management always say that they value nurses but does not support us! Thanks for letting me vent.

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Specializes in Neuro Critical Care.

If space is that tight on this unit perhaps this is the only place close to a patient the doctors could talk. I am not excusing them using your locker room, simply offering a suggestion. Perhaps they do not know of another location to talk. If there is a conference room I would have nicely suggested they go to the conference room for more privacy. If they wanted to discuss the plan on a certain patient without the family bothering them with questions maybe they were out of options and used what they could. It doesn't seem like they would need privacy from the nursing staff, but maybe less distraction.

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Specializes in Trauma ICU,ER,ACLS/BLS instructor.

This has happened on a unit I worked on. Teaching hospital,lots of residents and interns around. When we wanted our space back to eat or give report, we just said "ok people,time to go", never was an issue. They respected our space and we respected their space.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

I guess if it only happened that one time, I wouldn't be too concerned, if it were an ongoing issue, then I would say that arrangements would have to be made for the Docs to do the discussing somewhere else. Perhaps your manager could have one of those code locks placed on the door so only nursing staff would have access.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I would remind them that they are in a staff lounge and should hold private converstaions elsewhere. Politely of course.

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I probably would have just excused myself and let them have their conversation. Is there somewhere else that they have to go to have discussions if it is a small unit? Perhaps management could be the go between?

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
This happened on my nursing unit. Two doctors were conversing in the NURSING lounge. As nurses came in to have their lunch breaks, they were being asked by the doctors to give them some privacy. I don't know the exact wordings : give us a few minutes, give us some privacy, excuse us for a few minutes, etc... How do you response to this? How would the doctors feel if we come in their lounges to have some private conversation! I know that they were probably discussing some sensitive case, but they should do it in their lounge. Space is tight on this unit. Most of us have to computerized chart in hall or in locker room (off the hall). I think it's pathetic that upper management always say that they value nurses but does not support us! Thanks for letting me vent.

Yo Doc take it elsewhere this is a nurses lounge, you have your own to go to.

Thats how I would handle it

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

I think it was inconsiderate on their part however not out of the question.

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Specializes in RN, LNC, Owner of Staffing Agency.

I would say, "I'll leave you alone, but I'd like to grab my lunch and try to find a place to sit down and eat.....space is tight and my lunchbreak time is ticking".

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I'd politely ask if I could eat my lunch in their break room/sleep room if they are going to use mine. Actually, I probably wouldn't say that, but I would ask if they had a suggestion as to where I could eat my lunch instead.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I would have replied "A few minutes is all i have for lunch" and had a seat.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

Generally, our docs don't use our breakroom and keep to their own. This makes me wonder that something either between them or between a patient care that required immediate discussion (docs have their tifts too!).

Because this would be entirely out of the norm, I would have respected the request ('excuse me for 2 secs while I grab my lunch).

Now I wouldn't dream of tolerating it a second time. "sorry docs, don't mind me" as I sat down.

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