Not scared of the doctors

[noyesno]

As a new grad, calling the doctors/talking to the doctors doesn't scare me or make me nervous. I'm not even good at talking to them but it doesn't bother me because I'm new and learning and if they don't understand this, poo on them.

Part of me thinks this is a good thing but another part of me worries that I'm missing something. Like, do they have some sort of power over my employment that I missing? Should I start kissing ass? At this point, I'm more afraid of HR than I am of the MD's. Is something wrong with me?

I'm thinking, "Wow, nursing school really hyped up the whole calling the doctor thing to the point that I'm worried that something's wrong with me for not being afraid."

I should add, I'm not rude or disrespectful to the MD's. I am very nice and respectful but not overly/kiss assingly so. Please don't think I'm entitled or rude to the MD's by any means, I'm just not scared or nervous by them.

Opinions? Main questions bolded above.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I wouldn't say I'm afraid to call some doctors, but there are some I dread calling because they are total jackwagons. If you said the sky was blue, they'd argue that it was green, just for spite. You could have all of your pertinent information, and they'd say, "Yes, but what was the patient's mother's maiden name?" You just have to roll with it, but it can definitely be irritating.

[brielle776]

All of my instructors tell us to never be afraid to contact the physicians if it is necessary. "Don't be scared" is my clinical instructors famous last words for everything haha.

[Batman25]

You shouldn't be afraid. Schools should never make you fearful of calling a doctor. It's part of your job and theirs. Everyone is in it together to help our patients out.

[TinyHineyRN]

I wouldn't say I'm afraid to call some doctors, but there are some I dread calling because they are total jackwagon

Absolutely!! There are some off-service docs that I just don't have the patience to deal with and, unless its a life-threatening issue, I'll avoid the call! I think it really depends on where you work. I have been in Peds and now PICU for a total of about 3 years and I think the peds atmosphere lends itself to a bit more camaraderie. Its the nature of the environment, I think. At this point I'm not afraid of our attendings and ESPECIALLY not the residents!! But I have friends in adult units that describe the God-complex some of their docs have. Consider yourself lucky...your entire career will in some ways involve talking to docs and practitioners. Better get used to it now!

[sweetnurse63, BSN, RN]

We as nurses are healthcare professionals with a license to protect just like the doctors. Most important is the care of the patients. I don't think any nurse wants to call the doctor for casual talk, so time is precious to both the nurse and doctor. I respect doctors, but in return i expect the same, they are human just like we are, they sit down to use the bathroom just like us and if they break the law they would be held accountable like anyone else. We all should be on the same team with one goal in mind which is to serve the patients to the best of our ability, nurses and doctors need each other and the patients need us both. What would the healthcare system be without doctors, try it without the nurses and it would be pure chaos, a catastrophe!!!!!!!!! Nurses we must never forget that we are highly educated professionals no matter what the degree level, LPN, RNAA,BSN,MSN!!!!!! . W:yeah:e have great accountability and responsibility upon our shoulders, and because of this, we should never let another healthcare professional ever intimidate us !!!!!!! Hooray to all of the nurses and doctors who serve because they truly care!!!!!!

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

I admit I am afraid of calling the doctor. One of the first times I called I got an on-call MD who chewed me an earful so that probably started the fear.

I now have an idea of how to approach our regular MDs on the phone, one is a female so us ladies are unpredictable with our moods lol, one wants our opinion and a suggestion, (the on-call mds don't want suggestions,) another doesnt want to be bothered and just says "yes" to get us off the phone, the other two mds i haven't really had contact with but nobody has had a problem with them

[Bobbkat]

I was never taught that calling docs was a scary thing while I was in school. The doctors and nurses on our unit have a great relationship. We all call each other by our first names, and have conversations about our families with eachother. It does't' bother me one bit to have to speak with them about a patient situation.

[Argo]

Doctors call me all the time to post cases and add on emergencys in the middle of the night. They are almost always apologetic for waking me up or bothering me even though its my job. I tell them no problem and move on. Its common courtesy and etiquette in most cases. I give them the same preface when I call them. All I deal with are surgeons, Anesthesia, and er docs. They are usually considered the hardest to deal with but they are all very reasonable as long as you know what your doing and have your ducks in a row.... I am the same way when they call. If they don't have all the info I tell them we will have the call team there but I need a call with all the proper info within 5 minutes then hang up on them to proceed with my calls.... er docs I tell to call the surgeons and have them call me then hang up.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't say I'm afraid to call some doctors, but there are some I dread calling because they are total jackwagons. If you said the sky was blue, they'd argue that it was green, just for spite. You could have all of your pertinent information, and they'd say, "Yes, but what was the patient's mother's maiden name?" You just have to roll with it, but it can definitely be irritating.

See, OCNRN, this is why I completely adore you! You hit the mark every time!

[Argo]

lol, there is one old jerk of a surgeon that is half deaf that called me one day, I always answer the phone(which is forwarded to my cell phone) "Surgery, this is argo...." He replies "whos this?".... me-"argo"..... him-"where am I calling?"..... me - "surgery".... then he starts yelling and spouting off at me about how I should answer the phone and tell him what my name was and what department I was in.... I hung up on him when he kept going on. He calls back and I answered the same way. Then I followed it with "can you hear me now?". He got over his attitude and was more cordial.... I have never had a problem with him again on the phone. I have never had any problem with him in person either.....

I have seen alot of people back down from people like this and all it does is perpetuate the problem. If they know the BS wont phase you then they stop it eventually, some people it takes one time and others it takes multiple. They are just like the rest of the general population.... and kids.....

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

Doctors behave as badly as Nurses let them ... leaving aside the doctor = earner - nurse = cost BS that perpetuates in the US , if Doctors are tardy, rude or plain unnecessary on the phone /in answering pages then you incident it, if it is residents/ Juniors who are being rude a quiet word in the ear of their supervising consultant/attending can do as much if not more than an incident form.

this kind of thing involves incidents being treated as incidents and not tit for tat attempts to initiate disciplinary action by 'writing someone up'

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

There should be no fear in contacting a doctor. That said, have your ducks in a row: know the situation, have some idea what you want from the doctor and present your issue in a concise manner.