MD's vs. RN's: Your Thoughts?

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · May 24, 2004

Please note that the name of that BB is Student Doctor Network.

Not experienced MD Network.

Therefore, many of those on that BB are pretty much MD wannabes, only some of which will go on to become MDs.

Some will also (hopefully) pass into places such as Radiology, Anesthesiology, Research, Pathology and other places where they are less likely to inflict serious patient harm with their egos and less than sterling personalities.

But when we started, we were idealistic and had certain expectations of Nursing (respect from patients, visitors that obeyed the rules, getting credit for saving a life or two, MDs with readable handwriting) that get dashed to pieces on the rocks of Reality.

Student MDs are similar. Way too many of them read the "House of God" and think that nurses fawning over them will be reality. And society is placing way to much emphasis on a career that is paying MDs less and less for more and more work.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 24, 2004

Ummm, you wouldn't trust those folks to know enough about medicine to order a Tylenol and get the route right, why would you take their opinions on nursing seriously?

jaimealmostRN · May 24, 2004

"...coz they're all *****es" (in reference to nurses)
"...doctor wannabes..."
"...stupid idiots..."
"...unqualified...morons..."
and so on...
Its clear that our friends in medicine feel very threatened by the nursing profession at the moment (just bring up the topic of CRNA's or NP's/PA's and wait for the torrent of abuse to be unleashed). But to be honest, I've never really noticed - in fact, I've always gotten along quite well with doctors/students/etc - but perhaps I've got my blinkers on. Check the site out for yourself - does anyone think the views expressed on the site are representative of the views of most of the medical profession? How do you all feel about your professional relationship with our medical colleagues? Horror stories?
One thing I will say though is the membership of these forums certainly carry themselves in a much more dignified and professional manner than the aspiring quacks on "the other" one... Lets not allow our standards to drop...

Steve, I completely agree. I read that website after viewing the address on the CRNA forum. I was ABSOULTELY DISGUSTED. I have never had a problem with a doc and have always been polite, yet insistant about appropriate patient care, but after reading that I really felt personally attacked. You are right in noticing that "our" website is much more dignified. After thinking about it in depth I realized that the only time I have ever wrote/spoke/posted something so hateful is when I have felt threatened. While these losers (not all drs. just the ones that posted like this) were off debating socrates vs. whomever's view on medicine, the highly skilled RNs,NPs, and CRNAs snuck up on them and took over. And to be honest, the only ones on that site that stuck up for nurses were the ones who were married or dating a nurse (aka. the smarter and probably sexier ones :imbar ). There was one poster on that site that was NEW to the millitary as an MD and there was a CRNA with like 10+ yrs of expirence and he stated that he would never see a nurse as "higher" than him....umm ok loser, thats how the military works, rank is everything. I know not all drs/etc. think like this, but I am soooo sickened by what I read that I really feel like (but wont do) some major MD/DO bashing. :angryfire And I will answer one of those posters questions. Yes, I would let a NP/CRNA do surgery on me if the NP was able to do this in the future. In my personal expirence every (yes, every) NP I have met is far superior in care and knowedge to any doctors I have had. It may have to do with having to "prove" themselves more, but hey, whatever it is, it works. JMO. :angryfire

jaimealmostRN · May 24, 2004

Please note that the name of that BB is Student Doctor Network.
Not experienced MD Network.
Student MDs are similar. Way too many of them read the "House of God" and think that nurses fawning over them will be reality. And society is placing way to much emphasis on a career that is paying MDs less and less for more and more work.

:rotfl: your right. I think I read the "house of god" in like 8th grade and it was pretty obvious to me THEN that nurses don't go around in short white skirts and rainbow undies fawning over a bunch of pale, scrawny, SDS (short doctor syndrome) types. Ok, sorry thats all the bashing I'll do, very therapeutic if I may say so!

Rapheal · May 24, 2004

A doctor in our society means status and power. Gone our the days of house calls when doctors were more or less expected to serve the patient and the community.

Any profession that elevates someones' status over other mere mortals is destined to attract ego maniacs, control freaks and sociopathic types along with good caring people who truly want to help people. There are a few doctors I know who speak to the nurses without ever making eye contact. It seems that they view nurses as two dimensional- not real people. A scarey trait in a human being for sure.

It is easy for me to live with the superior attitudes I have encountered. I am Christian so I believe that God will sort it out in the end. Let them have their God like attitudes. I am more concerned with my attitude. Although I do admit I do not like working with this type of attitude and IMHO the damage they inflict upon other people. Just goes along with the job I guess.

movealong · May 24, 2004

I was very surprised at some of what was posted there.

I've got no beef with student doctors, even when I worked in a teaching hospital.

I've usually had a pretty good relationship with most of the doctors and students I've worked with ( of course there were some exceptions). Most of us are smart enough to realize we all make up part of a team. As a team, it's better to work together towards a common goal.

I worked in one hospital and clinic were it was owned by the doctors. They were some of the best doctors I ever worked with. Their attitude towards the nurses was great. The nurses' attitude towards the doctors was great overall.

The time for pettiness between healthcare providers is long over in these days of increasing work loads, short staff, and ever increasingly ill patients.

Sheri257 · May 24, 2004

Ummm, you wouldn't trust those folks to know enough about medicine to order a Tylenol and get the route right, why would you take their opinions on nursing seriously?

I agree. They're kids, probably most of them in their '20s.

IF they become doctors (and we know how that goes) they may realize, when they grow up, that a nurse may save them from a multi-million dollar lawsuit every once in a awhile.

If they have that attitude and still become doctors, be my guest. We'll see how they'll do without those "dumb" nurses watching their back.