Doc calls nurse coworkers monkeys...

Nurses Relations

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Once in awhile this ER doc calls the nurses monkeys. Being as I'm new, I haven't heard it for my self yet. The subject just came up when I was telling another nurse that this doc had just explained to another doc on behalf of our new ER Physician Assistant that 'PA school is like nursing school, but for smarter people.' :nailbiting:

How would you interact with someone who has such an apparent disdain for nurses and other health care personnel?

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
"Takes one to know one!"

Did I just revert back to middle school?

I'm rubber and you're glue, whatever you say Boyce's off me and sticks to you!

Specializes in Family practice, emergency.

Typically, that results in the "Jets/Sharks" choreography from West Side Story. Never have I ever been a situation where that didn't work :up:

This was a news story I read last year about a surgeon who insulted staff and patients. I don't work at that hospital so I'm not sure what ended up happening but it was a big deal in the news.

University of Kentucky trustees asked to revoke medical privileges of controversial surgeon | Lexington Herald-Leader

I agree with not starting a comment with "I feel" . . . that will get you no respect. "I think" is better.

However, I kinda like the idea of scratching my pits and making quiet monkey noises. ;) However, since you are new, I'd refrain from that.

Best advice, unless the comment is directed at you, I'd just do my job and let it go. Until you think you are more accepted as a member of the team and people can trust you to do your job well . . . then you could speak up! :nurse:

I work with one physician who commonly spouts off about stuff and most of the time I just roll my eyes at him but sometimes, I've taken him aside and told him what I THINK. He has a "good nurse/bad nurse" list . . . I always ask if I'm still on the "good nurse" list and he has always said "yes" with a smile. ;)

Good that you take the physician aside and let him know what you think. Asking him if you are still on the "good girl list" would negate any respect you might have earned.

Good that you take the physician aside and let him know what you think. Asking him if you are still on the "good girl list" would negate any respect you might have earned.
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It is a long-standing joke . . . I've worked with him for almost 20 years. It is all good. :)

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
HR is NEVER a nurse's friend.

HR:nurses::IRS:taxpayers

I'd need it put in context to know how to respond. I play pretty rough with some of the people I work with. We're tight, but you'd think we hated each other if you didn't know any better.

HR:nurses::IRS:taxpayers

Hahhahahaaaa!

I'd need it put in context to know how to respond. I play pretty rough with some of the people I work with. We're tight, but you'd think we hated each other if you didn't know any better.

Me too. That's the fun of it!

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
HR is NEVER a nurse's friend.
Unfortunately, I've found this to ring true. HR and hospital administrative figureheads go out of their way to make the most egregious physicians happy because they are seen as the facility 'money makers' due to referring patients.

Thus, physicians can get away with more bad behavior than nurses in many hospitals.

I'd whip out my phone, open the sound recorder app, hold it up to him and say "I'm sorry, could you repeat that? I really can't believe what I just heard, and I might want to remind myself later on that it was real. Perhaps with someone else listening to confirm." If he hesitates, say "What's wrong? Why wouldn't you want someone else to hear this?"

It a) tells him that you're not afraid of taking him on and reporting his behavior, and b) turns the spotlight back on him by forcing him to acknowledge that what he said was problematic. I would do this literally EVERY TIME he said anything of the sort so that he'd get the message right away that I won't tolerate it.

The ONE caaveat I would add is to wait until you're out of patient care areas to prevent any HIPAA issues.

Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

I would keep all interactions with this (male appendage) as short and professional as possible.

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