How rude are your physicians???

Specialties Med-Surg

Published

I am finally starting to get my bearings a bit as a med surg nurse. I'm fresh out of school and had no idea what to expect, so I am really shocked over how the doctors speak to nurses! The first few times I saw a dr throw a hissy fit, I didn't think much of it- everyone has a bad day sometimes. But now that i've been here for awhile I see that this behavior is consistent, especially for the surgeons. They literally scream at nurses in front of everyone (patients, other staff, etc) for the littlest things, and use large amounts of profanity as well!!

For example, we had a pt with a new colostomy that was post op day 2. When the surgeon went in to see her and learned that she had an opaque bag on rather than clear, he started going off on the charge nurse about it. He then proceed to have that nurse paged up to the nurses station so he could chew her out in front of all her peers for having that opaque bag. The nurse tried to explain (politely and apologetically) that the ostomy leaked and that was the only bag available at the time, and she had already ordered clear bags, was just waiting for them to get sent up. He responded with 'this is ***ing nursing 101, I am fed up with dealing with the incompetencies of this nursing staff! This is ridiculous! What kind of moron does this? Then stormed off to yell at the general nursing manager, who later that day sent out a mass email to all of the nurses with a reprimand and reminder to never, ever do this. That nurse also got yelled at by her charge (who was angry she got yelled at) and was reminded that 'we must always keep the drs happy'

What im wondering, is this the norm??? I dont have any other experience so I really dont know. Do you all have hot headed dr.s that ALL nursing staff has to tip toe around and put up with all this verbal abuse?? Must you also drop everything youre doing when a dr comes to serve him/answer ?s/get out of his way? I dont know, maybe it is normal but it seems absolutely insane to me. Thnks for any input.

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Specializes in ER, Addictions, Geriatrics.

One the urology specialists is frequently rude and cranky when he comes down to the ER for consults. And not just to the nurses, to our physicians as well. We all just make fun of it after he leaves lol.

I believe that he and another one of the especially cantankerous surgeons were spoken to about staff morale and treating others with respect, but you can only expect so much I guess!

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I've only experienced one doctor being rude to me, and it was so over the top that it was funny. I actually had to cover the phone so he wouldn't hear me laughing.

Other than that, I've encountered MDs who are feeling a bit cranky once in a while and MDs who are upset for legitimate reasons. I see plenty of nurses, RTs and housekeepers in the same sorts of moods from day to day- I never take it personally. No one has ever yelled at me.

I don't feel obligated to drop everything I'm doing when a doctor comes by, but I am usually pretty accommodating. I try to get them set up with a computer and help them find the charts they need, for example. I'm there all night and it's my "home". I see the doctors who stop by as "guests", so I'm generally hospitable towards them.

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Specializes in NICU.

I have had a couple Drs. test your backbone when you are new. Once you stand your ground and defend your actions they back off and treat you with respect. Some older docs treat you like you are beneath them, while several of the younger docs will use their first and last name when they call instead of Dr. Jones. My experience has been that the more respect they have for your skills and knowledge, the less issues I have with them.

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Specializes in Rehab corrections med-surg.
I am finally starting to get my bearings a bit as a med surg nurse. I'm fresh out of school and had no idea what to expect, so I am really shocked over how the doctors speak to nurses! The first few times I saw a dr throw a hissy fit, I didn't think much of it- everyone has a bad day sometimes. But now that i've been here for awhile I see that this behavior is consistent, especially for the surgeons. They literally scream at nurses in front of everyone (patients, other staff, etc) for the littlest things, and use large amounts of profanity as well!!

For example, we had a pt with a new colostomy that was post op day 2. When the surgeon went in to see her and learned that she had an opaque bag on rather than clear, he started going off on the charge nurse about it. He then proceed to have that nurse paged up to the nurses station so he could chew her out in front of all her peers for having that opaque bag. The nurse tried to explain (politely and apologetically) that the ostomy leaked and that was the only bag available at the time, and she had already ordered clear bags, was just waiting for them to get sent up. He responded with 'this is ***ing nursing 101, I am fed up with dealing with the incompetencies of this nursing staff! This is ridiculous! What kind of moron does this? Then stormed off to yell at the general nursing manager, who later that day sent out a mass email to all of the nurses with a reprimand and reminder to never, ever do this. That nurse also got yelled at by her charge (who was angry she got yelled at) and was reminded that 'we must always keep the drs happy'

What im wondering, is this the norm??? I dont have any other experience so I really dont know. Do you all have hot headed dr.s that ALL nursing staff has to tip toe around and put up with all this verbal abuse?? Must you also drop everything youre doing when a dr comes to serve him/answer ?s/get out of his way? I dont know, maybe it is normal but it seems absolutely insane to me. Thnks for any input.

It must be where you are. Doctors need to treat staff with respect to get respect from staff and patients

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Where I work they are generally pretty good. We have good relationships with the ones we deal with and we are on a first name basis with them.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

Uh NO! The abuse and bullying your nurses are suffering is NOT the norm. Your hospital is BROKEN, your hospital culture is seriously damaged.

Shame on the nurses of your hospital for allowing such behavior to continue. All of you must immediately refuse to allow that behavior. Any doctor that treated nurses like that in my hospital, or any of the hospitals I have worked at would be corrected immediately.

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