How do I have more confident talking/calling doctors?

Florence NightinFAIL, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2011

Depends.

Is it because the doctor is talking fast, you're unfamiliar with the terms, you don't know how to present the information, or you are nervous/flusttered talking to a doctor?

SolaireSolstice, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2011

It takes practice. Don't be afraid of them. They fart and burp just like the rest of us, sometimes more. Do you know the SBAR technique? Have what you are calling for right in front of you. State who you are and why you are are calling. Never apologize for taking care of the patient.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 25, 2011

make sure you have your "ducks in a row" before you call. if you're calling about low urine output, know whether or not the patient has a history of renal disease, is dehydrated or just yanked out his own foley. if you're calling about a low hemoglobin, know what the trend has been, whether she's typed and crossed, and possible reasons she might be bleeding. (coffee ground emesis, an extraordinarily high inr or an arterial sheath that was pulled two hours ago and now looks suspiciously like a hematoma.) try to anticipate the questions they might ask, and make sure you understand the orders you're given. it's within your scope of practice to ask why they want to give heparin to the lady who is going to surgery in three hours or insulin and dextrose to the guy who isn't a diabetic but who has a potassium of 6.8. so if you don't know, ask.

don't ever be afraid to call someone or ask a question because you're afraid they might yell at you or make you look stupid. the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask and screwed up because of it.

cherryblossom88 · Feb 25, 2011

Maybe you should do what I did when I first started...I would write my concerns on a peice of paper along with the vital signs and have the patients MAR in front of you. That way everything is right there in front of you and you wont get so flustered. I learned to do this after I called a critical PT/INR value to the oncall MD and got yelled at because I didn't know the current Coumadin dose and had to go get the chart. :) It gets easier with time.

ErinS, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2011

SBAR is an invaluable tool until you are confident in this skill of talking to doctors. The thing that has helped me the most so far has been cultivating relationships with doctors that treat me as a colleague and equal. I am not sure how easy this is to find in the hospital world, but I think it is often possible in home care/hospice/SNF nursing.

noelia23RN · Feb 25, 2011

If your a new grad this is completely normal, just make sure you have all your info ready before you make that call maybe you can practice it once with a coworker.

steelydanfan · Feb 25, 2011

I got the sense that the OP was NOT a native English speaker. I have that problem with nurse AND doctors I work with.

I have worked with nurse who have been in this country for 7 yyears and STILL can't get male/female pronouns right!

If you want to be respected, get rid of the HEAVY accent, and take accelerated English classes.

caliotter3 · Feb 25, 2011

Since I now work in home health instead of a facility, I have very little reason to call doctors. I still do what I did in the beginning. I write out everything I plan to say to the doctor and have as much info in front of me as is available. I also make notes and take them with me when we take the patient to a doctor's appointment.

Florence NightinFAIL, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2011

I got the sense that the OP was NOT a native English speaker. I have that problem with nurse AND doctors I work with.
I have worked with nurse who have been in this country for 7 yyears and STILL can't get male/female pronouns right!
If you want to be respected, get rid of the HEAVY accent, and take accelerated English classes.

What???!!! Where did you get that? First of all, there is nothing wrong with her post. And secondly, where did the heavy accent come from? :uhoh3:

I think you have your own issues - don't project it on her thread. :rolleyes:

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2011

I got the sense that the OP was NOT a native English speaker. I have that problem with nurse AND doctors I work with.
I have worked with nurse who have been in this country for 7 yyears and STILL can't get male/female pronouns right!
If you want to be respected, get rid of the HEAVY accent, and take accelerated English classes.

Oh my goodness, steely...I work with MANY foreign nurses and docs that I have a great deal of respect for, so I don't think that accents have anything to do with the amount of respect one receives.

OP, you have gotten some good advice about being prepared when you call the doc. Since you stated that you are a new grad, believe me when I say that you will gain confidence with time. I admire you for posting on this forum in order to get some advice regarding better communication skills.

Katie5 · Feb 25, 2011

I got the sense that the OP was NOT a native English speaker. I have that problem with nurse AND doctors I work with.
I have worked with nurse who have been in this country for 7 yyears and STILL can't get male/female pronouns right!
If you want to be respected, get rid of the HEAVY accent, and take accelerated English classes.

You could just ask, you know. Not saying you'd get a response, but more polite that way.

Try it sometime:)