I need advise

Jess RN · Jan 31, 2005

And if the order is "stat", I would be more concerned about carrying out the order, and then confront him at a later time, with the patient status being of greatest importance.

Of course, you're right. I didn't even get that from the above post that the order was a "stat" one.

In past jobs, when there was an inappropriate interchange betwen co-workers *in front of a customer/client* I certainly could see waiting to discuss it till in private. I wonder, though, what that says to patients when they see nurses silently taking crap from MDs and not knowing if the nurse ever followed up and confronted the doc? Doesn't it just reinforce the idea that nurses can be treated poorly- by docs, patients, families, etc? What if - in a non stat situation of course- the doc makes a rude comment/request in front of a patient- and the nurse asks him to step outside to discuss? That way the patient is clued into the fact that the nurse is not about to be spoken to that way and the doc knows that the patient knows he's been "called out" on his poor behavior?

I'm sorry if I'm beating a dead horse here- and I know nursing is all about patient care and their needs, etc- but I don't see how it does anyone nurses, patients, or docs a service by letting that kind of behavior stand and just dealing with it later.

Am I way off base here?

saskrn · Jan 31, 2005

Of course, you're right. I didn't even get that from the above post that the order was a "stat" one.
In past jobs, when there was an inappropriate interchange betwen co-workers *in front of a customer/client* I certainly could see waiting to discuss it till in private. I wonder, though, what that says to patients when they see nurses silently taking crap from MDs and not knowing if the nurse ever followed up and confronted the doc? Doesn't it just reinforce the idea that nurses can be treated poorly- by docs, patients, families, etc? What if - in a non stat situation of course- the doc makes a rude comment/request in front of a patient- and the nurse asks him to step outside to discuss? That way the patient is clued into the fact that the nurse is not about to be spoken to that way and the doc knows that the patient knows he's been "called out" on his poor behavior?
I'm sorry if I'm beating a dead horse here- and I know nursing is all about patient care and their needs, etc- but I don't see how it does anyone nurses, patients, or docs a service by letting that kind of behavior stand and just dealing with it later.
Am I way off base here?

In my experience, whenever an MD acts inappropriately towards a nurse, in front of a patient, the MD still looks like an a$$. I've only experienced this once or twice, but I remember the patient commenting on how the MD was a jerk. Once I confronted the MD, told him to make up his mind, and never do that to me again. I apparently made my point because he was afraid to come near me afterwards. lol

I actually believe, though, conflict in front of a patient for any reason is a no-no.

Jess RN · Jan 31, 2005

Once I confronted the MD, told him to make up his mind, and never do that to me again. I apparently made my point because he was afraid to come near me afterwards. lol

Nice! :) LOL

My husband worries that I'll have trouble "taking orders from rude men- especially residents- and particularly once you have been a nurse for a while and probably will know more then they do!" I have to say I worry about the same thing some days... :rotfl:

saskrn · Jan 31, 2005

Nice! :) LOL
My husband worries that I'll have trouble "taking orders from rude men- especially residents- and particularly once you have been a nurse for a while and probably will know more then they do!" I have to say I worry about the same thing some days... :rotfl:

lol

Residents are easy, just threaten to call the Attending. :)

Jess RN · Jan 31, 2005

lol
Residents are easy, just threaten to call the Attending. :)

:lol2: I love it!

Nesher, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2005

What has always helped me is the role we as nurses play as patient advocate. What matters most is their needs, not a doc's ego or your fear. Your patient needs you to speak for them.

You know what kills rudeness in its tracks - kindness...

This line of thinking has been of use to me...

CHATSDALE · Jan 31, 2005

several years ago there was the certain doctor who could be very rude...he was a foreign md and he was always on the defensive about whether the americans could understand what he was talking about...much was understanbable,,better his writing by a long shot,

he could be very rude to certanin nurses about issues that did not concern the medical field ie one example...he was leaving icu where somepart of his order was left or something don't know th particulat..amd he yelled at them, calling the nurses incaring and rude...

the funny things were that because he was a competent m d every one wo know him respected.he was the type yo u would want to work on you if you coded there were those who loved him and those who hateed hem but very few with no opionon choose your battle carefully and yu will nevr find life dull

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2005

Forget the docs, it's your coworkers, management, patients, patient's families that are going to give you the most grief that first year. Doctors are low on the list of aggravating persons.

There are a couple of docs here that are just flat out miserable people. But there are also dozens that are fine. Don't let the trolls bother you.

Let them know what you need. If they are angry deal with the issue, not their anger. If they are unprofressional, walk away.