How do ya'll handle doctors that are just plain hateful?

[crb613, BSN, RN]

I am a new grad. been working on M/S 4 whole days! We have one doc that everyone has warned me about. They said it does not matter why or when you have to call him...he just goes off on you. Now I am not looking for a fight, but I am not a doormat either. I would like to know how you might deal w/someone like this. A nurse had to call him the other day...(w/a few other nurses around for support) and they all said she was very nice & to the point, w/all info he needed....he told her she had an attitude and when slick off on her...she was really upset. From their side of hearing the conversation it was said she did not do anything...but kept saying I am sorry...I don't know what you mean about my attitude, I apoligize, but I need to know XYZ. If I remember correctly I think it was about a lab panic value. I know myself, and it would just be instinct to put a stop to it right there......am I right to do this? Geezh we are adults & if you have to call you have to call. Thanks

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Do the words "bully" and "hostile work environment" have any meaning at your workplace?

I had a doc have a temper tantrum on me the other night. I wrote the jerk up.

Hopefully your hospital has a zero-tolerance policy on that sort of thing as well. Because if this doc doesn't straighten up and act nice VERY quickly, he will lose privileges (yes, docs, it's PRIVILEGES, not rights!).

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Our hospital has a zero tolerance policy for MDs and RNs who are bullies and/or disrespectful. Its not tolerated and you can get fired for it - in fact two years ago they fired an MD over an incident.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

We had very intimidating doctors like this all the time 30 years ago. What we would have done with the incident you mentioned in your post was just tell this guy that we were just doing our job and not even argue back with him. Your choices are to do the old ignore the bad behavior thing that psychology pushes or be assertive and stand up to him. Personally, I don't think it's worth the fight. I'd just go with, "I'm sorry you think I'm giving you a bad attitude. I'm just doing my job and calling you this information" and wait. I would only address a response from him that pertained to the information about the patient. Anything more about my attitude I would just ignore and not even comment about it--he's looking for a fight and I'm the bigger person and not going to give it to him. What nurse has that kind of time anyway?

We had a doctor who was known for going up to nurses after code blues and yelling "you killed my patient". Consequently, everyone was afraid of him. When he came onto the unit there wasn't a nurse in sight. Would you blame them? When he finally complained to a new DON that the nurses were failing to call him with important information about his patients she supposedly sat him down with the chief of staff and they both told him why he was so feared. Didn't change his behavior very much though.

[RedSox33RN]

The nurse manager needs to be informed, if she doesn't already know. We've got a great NM on our M/S unit that has filed grievances about a couple of doctors that needed an attitude adjustment.

The few times as a SN that I've had to call a doc, I have all the info I need, and am right to the point, because I'm busy so I KNOW they're busy also. But that doesn't in anyway excuse him being rude and a jerk. He is in no way "better" than any nurse, and has no right to treat them like that.

I would absolutely go to the NM about it and file a grievance, with the time/dates of incidences to back it up. The doc needs to be knocked down a peg or 17!!

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

We had very intimidating doctors like this all the time 30 years ago. What we would have done with the incident you mentioned in your post was just tell this guy that we were just doing our job and not even argue back with him. Your choices are to do the old ignore the bad behavior thing that psychology pushes or be assertive and stand up to him. Personally, I don't think it's worth the fight. I'd just go with, "I'm sorry you think I'm giving you a bad attitude. I'm just doing my job and calling you this information" and wait. I would only address a response from him that pertained to the information about the patient. Anything more about my attitude I would just ignore and not even comment about it--he's looking for a fight and I'm the bigger person and not going to give it to him. What nurse has that kind of time anyway?

I disagree. This type of behavior IS abusive and DOES exhaust me emotionally. Not only do I have to deal with the emotions that dealing with a crashing patient cause in me, but I now have to deal with a rageaholic doc.

No one should have to put up with that kind of behavior.

We had a doctor who was known for going up to nurses after code blues and yelling "you killed my patient".

I'd hope I had the presence of mind to glare at him and say icily, "Please. Don't give me any ideas" and walk away.

[crb613, BSN, RN]

Do the words "bully" and "hostile work environment" have any meaning at your workplace?

I had a doc have a temper tantrum on me the other night. I wrote the jerk up.

Hopefully your hospital has a zero-tolerance policy on that sort of thing as well. Because if this doc doesn't straighten up and act nice VERY quickly, he will lose privileges (yes, docs, it's PRIVILEGES, not rights!).

Good for you! :yelclap: I am not real sure of the policy but I do know everyone is aware of how he acts. He was even mentioned in new employee training about throwing a fit over something they required all the doc's & nurse's to do. I don't go around looking for trouble, & I usually get along w/everyone but this just goes against my grain. If it happens to me I guess someone is going to have problems.....it may be me. If this is the accepted standard for behavior I don't want to work there anyway. Thanks to everyone for your replies.