Nice docs

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I thought it would be nice if we could post nice things that docs have done/said -- for us, or for a patient. Doesn't have to be extraordinary, just positive. There is so much to-do made about the antagonism between doctors & nurses, and while it exists, it's been in my experience, a very small part. So....let the niceness begin!!

The other night one of my colleagues from L/D complimented one of our second-yr residents on how he is very good about protecting the perineum during a delivery. So when I saw him on rounds the next AM, I told him what she had said. He replied, "Well, I don't like doing repairs, for one, but it's also just a nice thing to do for my patient." Nice guy.

The medical director at the community health center where I used to work would take all the nurses in our facility out to lunch at a nice restaurant for Nurses' Day...and he paid for our meals out of his pocket. I know he had the money and all, but it was still something he didn't have to do.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

One of our hospitalists makes a point to compliment us on a hard-job well done. He tells us "I could not do your job". He's always pleasant. Always "please" and "thank you". A real sweetie to be around.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Merely hearing the words, "Thank you" helps significantly. I enjoy being thanked after I report a critical lab value or significant change in condition to the patient's attending physician. This paves the way for a more harmonious relationship between the doctor and the nurse and, most importantly, it benefits the patient since changes are more likely to be reported in a prompt manner. The true detriment to patient care arrives when a nurse is reluctant to telephone the doctor with important results, because the particular on-call physician has a reputation for screaming at nursing staff over the phone.

[RN and Mommy]

I had to float down to the Rehab unit one day and one of the patients I had was actually a neurosurgery patient who was supposed to be on my home unit but we didn't have any beds. I came into the room as the neurosurgery resident was in the room and he said to me "Are you his nurse today" I said "Yes" The doctor then told the patient "You're in great hands today with Erica as your nurse"! It was so nice!

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

One of the sweetest, most excellent docs was on our unit late one everning. It had been a horribly busy day and it didn't look like it was going to stop anytime soon.

While he was writing orders in the doc's lounge, a piece of the new cabinetry came down on his head and gave him quite a bump. He went back to his orders as soon as he could, but joked that he was already getting a headache and we could see that he had a bump.

We were worried about him but it was just one of those awful nights. We hoped he could go home and get some rest, but his patients began crashing right and left all night long. No sooner would one nurse have to call for orders than he would politely and accurately give orders, than another patient would crash, and so on.

The poor doc was called every hour on the hour for the entire night shift, all with important things that could not wait until morning. We felt so bad for him yet he never once acted impatiently or raised his voice, he only took care of each problem as it came along, though he was quite exhausted and in some discomfort from the head injury.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaay above and beyond the call of duty, IMO. If only all the docs were like him!

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

i am so grateful for the docs who write a doctor's note readable and with an added touch of flare to their writing style (curiously enjoyable to enter these orders into the computer system). i am astounded by the doctor who when woken up at 3 am is genuinely the good gentle person who left your hospital at 1900. i am happy with the doctor who appreciates good report from a nurse and concern regarding his/her patient's welfare. their work is hard and often times no thank yous go their way. god bless the good doctors. they make my day, ahem night! and they work so much harder than i do, for i work only 3 days a week; and they show up every darn day! who cares for the yacht, the mansion, and the good looking wife? i'd rather have time to spend with my family!

[EmmaG, RN]

One of our post-op gyn/onc patients got a bit squirrelly. No apparent reason, just "sun-downing". As the night wore on, we had to call the surgeon about this a couple of times, however nothing seemed to help calm this patient down. Our staffing was stretched pretty thin, but her nurse was forced to pretty much do 1:1 with this lady, in spite of having a full load of patients, only leaving long enough to give a med here and there, etc. On top of this, we were having a pretty crazy night with everything else going on.

Around 2 am, the surgeon unexpectedly showed up. We told him it wasn't necessary for him to come in. He said no, he knew what a hard night we were having because of his patient. He told the frazzled nurse to go take a lunch break and then proceeded to sit with the patient until she returned. Then he went home.

We always knew he was a wonderful person, and an incredible doc, but this left us speechless.

[bethin]

I took care of a pt this weekend who was dying but family refused to let go. She had a picc line that went bad (ugh, her bed was soaked from the fluids leaking) and no one could get an IV started. Her dr came in and asked for my assistance, knowing I'm an aide. I went in with him and held her arm while he attempted the stick. He's a PCP and doesn't start many IV's but I reminded him of the time in ICU that I assisted (as much as an aide can) when he started a c-line and got it first try after not doing one since residency - which I'm guessing was 15 years ago.

He looked at the IV needle and looked confused. I explained to him that the little hole had to face up, insert needle and advance catheter. He didn't know if he was in so I handed him a saline syringe and told him what to do. He got it first try and looked at me and said "thank you". I said I didn't do anything but hold her arm and he said that he couldn't have done it without me.

As an aide, we are often overlooked by dr's and I really appreciated his kind words. Those in his practice are all like him - they will come to aides before going to nurse's to ask about how a pt ambulated, bm's, urine output, bedsores, etc. I get more respect from the dr's than I do the nurses and management.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I get more respect from the dr's than I do the nurses and management.

That's terrible. I couldn't function without my aides, and when they thank me for "helping" them with "their" jobs, I always tell them that everything they are doing is a nursing function.

I've been lucky. I've met only nice doctors.

And bethin, he couldn't have done it without you. I couldn't do it at all - I've never been IV trained, and it does take special skill. You smart!

[rn/writer, RN]

Had a new first year resident introduce himself and shake my hand. On subsequent mornings, he greeted me by name and asked intelligent questions about my patients. I'm happy to go the extra mile for someone like that. If he keeps this cordial and approachable demeanor, he'll do well no matter where he ends up.

[rnurse2b]

I'm very lucky when it comes to our docs. I work primarily peds and all of our ped docs are very nice, asking our opinions of their patients, asking what we recommend, etc. They tell us that we are the ones that see the patient all day, that they couldn't do their jobs without us.

When we have a patient that has a family practice doc, sometimes we have to remind that doc that this is a peds unit and we don't tolerate docs abusing the staff. We say it in a joking manner, but get the point across. After that, it is amazing! No more rudeness from the "outside" doc.

[BreezieRN]

I was the only nurse for my outpt clinic. I accidently stuck myself with an insulin needle and needed an order to test the pt for HIV and hepatitis. I called my normally cocky doc and told him what I needed. After giving me the verbal order, he said, "Don't worry. You're going to be just fine". I almost cried... it really did make me feel better. Her tests came back negative btw.