Lack of respect from doctor to nurse

[Beach23]

Hi there..I've been a nurse for 6 years and have worked in nephrology, medicine, surgical and now in GI/Endoscopy. I am new to the GI unit and have been learning the different procedures and am enjoying it. My biggest issue is dealing with the many different doctors and their personalities. I feel they can be rude and impatient and I seem to take it personally and cannot shake it sometimes. I understand they are busy, but I am unsure as to why the need to be disrespectful which makes it hard to be a part of the team. I ask questions when I am unsure and always grab someone if I need help with something, instead of winging it for the safety of the patient. These docs I am referring to are not interns or fellows, but the docs who have been in practice for decades. I just wish they would appreciate my willingness to learn and be supportive instead of saying things like "grab someone who knows what they are doing" or get angry in front of the patient. I love my hospital and not all the doctors are like this. I was just curious if anyone had a similar experience and any advice on how not too dwell on this and move on??

On another note, I am also working very seasoned nurses and my 6 years is peanuts compared to them, but I am confident in my nursing skills as I continue to learn and progress in GI. Some of them however I feel are not supportive and and give off the vibe that I don't know anything..I know this happens in many offices/hopsitals, but I seem to take it personally and want to be respected. I love being a nurse, and the longer I continue in GI the better I will get (like any new job)! Thanks guys!

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

first of all, i must say that you're in one of my favorite departments and i truly can sympathize with what you're going through. having said that, many moons ago i decided to leave oncology just to expand my knowledge if you will that's when i place the transfer to gi/lab/recovery/hepathology . needless to say, at first i noticed the same attitude which you described not only from some of the doctors but some of my rn colleagues as well and i took that as a challenge. therefore, every chance i got i would volunteer to the unfamiliar cases without causing much disruption for the staff or the patient. furthermore, i got a hold of the manual procedure from the department and embedded in my brain. at this level, i became more proficient than some of the seasoned nurses, which earned me the respect not only from the doctors but also from my gi/colleagues. with that said, i wouldn't worried to much or expect the older doctors to acknowledge your willingness to learn, just do your best and move on, because before you know it you'll be another expert nurse in the gi dept. and that will earn you the respect that you so deserve. wishing you the very best in all of your future endeavors as i send you hugs :hug: from across the miles...aloha~

[Beach23]

Thank you so much for your feedback! As I become more proficient with procedures, I should volunteer to do the unfamiliar cases. At this point though, I do not feel comfortable doing some alone such as dilations and we are so busy it is hard to go in a room and watch a case when I have cases to do myself. I cannot thank you enough for you feedback, it truly has helped me :)

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

This is one of the reasons I don't want to go to a different area of nursing and would rather just stay in the same specialty forever and why I like dealing with residents better!. good luck!I guess this is the same as when one first becomes a nurse, the only way it gets better is when you become more proficient at things and know as much as everyone else. most people are pretty impatient and have no concept of someone being new or new to the area.