MD's losing/lost trust in RN's

[JeffTheRN]

I work in a 16 bed MICU/SICU and an 8 bed CVU in a small "inner city" (this is CT. after all) teaching hospital. Some comments I have heard from some MD's in this last week have me in a bind.

First, there is a surgical resident who was verbally blasting a nurse (without her present) to 3 other nurses, including myself. He was going on & on about how he no longer trusts her and cannot be comfortable knowing she is caring for any of the surgical patients, especially fresh post-ops. From what he was telling us, her prioritizing and also her level of problem solving has much to be desired; so much so that he cannot trust any info she provides him, (ie...low hourly u/o's, swan readings, I & O's, vitals etc...) Obviously there must have been previous occurences that have swayed his trust ( at least I hope so ).

There was also an incident where I was in my patients room with one of the medical residents, she came in to ask me what the current CVP was. I told her it was 8, then she continued on by saying the night shift RN before me (I'm 7a-7p) told her the CVP was 16 and the one before that was 7. "...but it was JimBob, and I don't trust him anyway...", she stated (names changed to protect the innocent). I came to his defense and told her he is a very good RN and if she thought the 16 was an error, she should have told him then and there. She then says to me, "...[really? mmm, ok. But the other one, JohnBoy, is awful as well...]"

The reason I bring up these scenarios is...WHAT DO I DO? Do I tell my unit manager that there is little trust between these RN's and MD's? If I tell these RN's in question, is there going to be hostility between the parties? Do I leave it alone? I am afraid that the quality of patient care (if already soured, according to these MD's) will decline even more if these types of non-trustworthy relationships continue. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards & thanks in advance.

[athena55, BSN, RN]

Hi

Well, it has been a while since I worked in a civilian hospital, but what about setting up a meeting between you (since the docs seem to confide in you, or at least blast the other person in your presence) your nurse manager and the chief medical resident and/or the Chief of the unit?

Or how about just talking to the chief medical resident. Or approaching your nurse manager. Leave out names but say lately one or two of the residents have verbally discussed to you (so that it would not be considered hearsay) about another practitioners or colleagues level of competency.

How is the climate in your unit? Do people generally get along? If not on a first name basis (at least not in front of the patients) do y'all share a cuppa once in a while?

I wish I had something better to offer. You seem to be in a sticky spot!

Wishing you big shoulders and wise ears,

athena

[ICUNurseCline]

I think your manager should be aware of this. It is an issue which needs to be addresses, but if you address it yourself, you will be putting yourself in the middle of a gossipy, sticky situation. Your manager should know the proper channels through which to solve this problem. If another MD says such things to you again, I say you'd be correct in continuing what you've already done. Set the record straigt by backing up your colleagues and tell the MD that you are uncomfortable with their comments. Never have this conversation in front of a patient. Good luck!

[JeffTheRN]

Thanks to both for your insight. I shall follow through the next weekday my manager and I are on together.

Regards

[APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Thanks to both for your insight. I shall follow through the next weekday my manager and I are on together.

Regards

Before you get in too deep with this one, PLEASE keep in mind that it is generally illegal to defame someone's character. It is libel if it is written, and slander if it is spoken. When you spout off in public about someone's inability to perform to the basic standards of one's profession, it is an open invite for you to defend your position in a court of law.

I understand that you are not the one defaming this nurses character/professional judgement, but you are standing really close to the flame. Don't get burned.

[JeffTheRN]

Thank you very much for the advice.