Yesterday I was precepting with a veteran nurse with a 30-year career, and she was so terrific to me and our patients. A certain plastics doctor came in to consult on a dramatic very deep and open wound that came in the night before, and had not yet gone to the OR. My nurse had spent the day with the patient, and knew which movements caused the patient excrutiating pain, but when she said the word "gentle" to the doctor, as he quickly and gruffly removed the dressings, he stared her down and loudly said to her "I don't need to hear that. YOU don't tell me that. Don't you EVER tell me something like that again". She quietly said "OK", and that was the end of it, but I was really having trouble with it then, and still am. It brought back memories of long, long ago, when an oral surgeon I worked for verbally abused us all, and threw instruments across the treatment room. I walked out on that one, and never looked back. Later that day a family member was screaming at and berating the charge nurse at the nurse's station, and the charge nurse just let her finish, and so far as I could tell it didn't bother her one bit! She says she's used to it, and that it happens all the time, which I can't even respond to, it's so un-nerving to me. I am still taking it all in, and wondering how I will manage not to get suspended in my future, when I say something I'll regret in a moment of emotion. When I was a computer consultant that kind of behavior was unheard of, and absolutely not tolerated, and as a result you almost never saw it. I am a new nurse in my 40's, and doubt my ability to cope with abuse appropriately. I have taken all I plan to take in that department, and will surely wind up in trouble at some point dealing with abuse my way.
Hello, abusive work situations should not be tolerated. Your director of nurses should be notified not just for the nurses, but more importantly for that patient. The nurse you work with may be used to it. The patient is not.
There are usually systems in place to deal with those situations. Suggest starting with your nurse manager. I know, you're new, and it's not comfortable rocking the boat. And, nothing will change unless we do.
Ok...I am still a student but this nurses getting walked on thing bothers me. I am not a "door mat" kinda person by any means. I am not one to bite my tounge either. I hope this doesn't cause problems for me in the future. Maybe it is good that I have backbone, but I bet alot of arrogent MD's won't like me...:uhoh21:
This is a fabulous idea no matter what kind of "code" you call it. At the hospital I work at, there was a doctor who was fired after verbally abusing one of the nurses. That was a few years ago and there haven't been any incidents since. Behavior that is abusive and threatening by ANY employee needs to be witnessed and documented. Doctor or janitor, if you behave poorly and inappropriately in the workplace, you need to be accountable.
People need to be accountable for common courtesy.
The "code pink" was never a hospital policy. We started it in our unit and soon other units used it too.
The idea is to have witnesses.
We had "code blue", "code grey", "code red", and our infant abduction was "code lavender" so chose pink because it wasn't taken.
The first surgeon seemed to be so used to the OR where he is in charge. He started asking lots of questions about nurses assignments and so on. Now that he is so pleasant and respectful he'll probably retire.
Ok...I am still a student but this nurses getting walked on thing bothers me. I am not a "door mat" kinda person by any means. I am not one to bite my tounge either. I hope this doesn't cause problems for me in the future. Maybe it is good that I have backbone, but I bet alot of arrogent MD's won't like me...:uhoh21:
Precisely where I'm coming from. Twenty years ago I would have immobilized by the situation. These days I see a doc like this (a kid to me) as a punk and a bully, and although I'm not afraid of him, I am afraid of saying/doing something to put myself in jeopardy by reacting. I am not a "look down submit" kind of gal either.
One very out of control doctor had the surprise of his life. The nurses called a Code that we use for violent out of control people (like those who are intoxicated and acting up) and a full compliment of security men arrived ready to "take down" the out of control person. He thought it was "some kind of joke", but was visibly embarrassed. I have walked away from ranting people who can't talk to me in a civil manner. It is best if I do not reply to some people, because my response may not be a pleasant one.
One very out of control doctor had the surprise of his life. The nurses called a Code that we use for violent out of control people (like those who are intoxicated and acting up) and a full compliment of security men arrived ready to "take down" the out of control person.
:yeahthat:
I really like that one. And I like the idea of recording the incident. Nursing will be my third career and I have NEVER seen a workplace that tolerated such aberrant behavior from co-workers (I understand having to deal with pts. families a bit differently).
I do not care who you are or who you think you are ; unacceptable/bullying and or abusive behavior must have consequences. And heavy ones at that.
I am a black sheep here. Just to be honest, with one or twenty one years of experience I would never say "gentle" while any physician is in the process of doing anything with a patient.
I have a very simple solution to this problem. When a doctor starts to berate me for anything, I simply reply; "I cannot hear you when you yell". Then I turn and walk out. I have NEVER not had a doc who approaches me with a totally different manner within 5 minutes.
Our "nasty doctor" code was Code Prince and all the nurses on the floor were supposed to go where the incident was happening. It was funny watching the doctor's face when we all came in and stared at him. :rotfl:
After the epesode was over we had to send a report to the N.O.
no matter what the title...i've noticed verbal bullies do not like witnesses. code nurse, code pink, code whatever......is a splendid idea. you wouldn't let someone talk to your mama like that would you. call that code stat....get your compadres to do it too.
It is very disheartening to read about how physicians or anyone for that matter treat nurses. We are people, good people, and we should not be putting up with such behaviour. They need to know that respect is earned and your title doesn't mean you get automatic respect from anyone. We should be confident in ourselves to stand up and refuse to be treated this way.
I am a black sheep here. Just to be honest, with one or twenty one years of experience I would never say "gentle" while any physician is in the process of doing anything with a patient.
How come? The patient is as much hers as his, and she spent her day keeping him comfortable and becoming acquainted with his needs. Without an ego it shouldn't offend any team member, whether its a nurse, PT, or MD. I personally took her little "gentle" as advocating for the patient. And, even if he is offended his response was meant to degrade. Also, it was in front of the patient.
; unacceptable/bullying and or abusive behavior must have consequences. And heavy ones at that.
indigo girl
5,173 Posts
Hello, abusive work situations should not be tolerated. Your director of nurses should be notified not just for the nurses, but more importantly for that patient. The nurse you work with may be used to it. The patient is not.
There are usually systems in place to deal with those situations. Suggest starting with your nurse manager. I know, you're new, and it's not comfortable rocking the boat. And, nothing will change unless we do.