Nursing=Abuse?

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Hello !

Quick question. Is the nursing field an abusive one? Is it like the military to work in a hospital? Do the doctors be little you and disrespect you? I am in the dental field and this is what it is like to work in many dentist's offices as their clinical assistant. I love the options that nursing has, but you alot of you deal with these same issues?

Thanks!

-A

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Specializes in cardiothoracic surgery.

The doctors I work with are pretty good. They are for the most part respectful of the nurses. The doctors are the least of my worries at work. Most of the abuse nurses get is verbal abuse from patients and family members. But physical abuse against nurses happens too, I am sure ER nurses could relate to that. Do a search, there are a lot of threads/stories on here about this topic.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

As a general rule, I do not have many problems with the doctors talking down to me. However, there are a few that do have the God complex and they pretty much treat most nurses poorly. Also, some very nice doctors have gotten snippy from time to time. I guess they have bad days too.

No matter what career you choose there will be people who treat you not so nice. You will have to decide how you will let their poor attitude affect you.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

It's not like in the military at all (based on my personal experience). I was a 91C (LPN) rank E5 (sgt.) in a surgical hospital (MASH). I regularly worked alongside Majors and Colonels and was never treated with disrespect. I got to do/was responsible for procedures way outside the scope of my practice in the civilian world. As a people, I believe, we have become more stressed, more self centered and subsequently more abusive to others. Just watch someone be downright mean to the kid at the fast food place over a hamburger. In nursing, you may get it from all sides at times, but you also get much greater rewards imo.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I think a lot of it has to do with attitudes---our own as well as that of others.

For myself, I rarely experience disrespect or poor treatment because I don't tolerate it. I've been blessed with a reasonable amount of self-confidence, which means I don't feel I deserve to be treated like something a person just scraped off the bottom of their shoe. I give everyone respect, and I expect to be respected back........and when a patient or family member is rude, I let the offender know that it's not OK and that screaming/cussing at me is not going to dispose me to tend to them any quicker. That usually brings 'em around, and if it doesn't, I don't really care. Life is too short to be made miserable by miserable people.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

I don't tolerate disrespect, so it is a rare occasion that I see it directed at me. When it is, it is noted and the person/persons who do try get a quick education on proper manners (very professionally, of course) and most discourse from that point is very, very appropriate and respectful.

I work with nurses and physicians in a very stressful recovery room and we are like family. The surgeons are very respectful of us as they are very grateful that we are good to their patients and do excellent work.

Some of the nurses' experiences combined = 1 nurse = 30 years 1 = 12, 1 = 22, 1 = 25, me = 17..

The LEAST experienced nurse has been one for 5 years.

If you've ever worked with experienced people, you appreciate the talent that has accumulated and NEVER, EVER..

make them mad.

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Specializes in lots of different areas.

Inexperience doesn't mean that doctors or nurses have the right to disrespect. I quit my previous job because I was belittled by too many doctors for being the new nurse. I may be a new RN, but not a new nurse, and definitely not a new addition to the workforce. Just because someone's only been a nurse for 5 years doesn't mean they're an open door for belittling. I see it as they're an open book to learn from other experienced nurses and doctors, if they want to take the time to educate instead of put down. Sadly, this is sometimes the case. I think with any job or career, people are different, work places are different, and attitude plays a big part in it. Confidence can be ruined if you have NO ONE at work to support you. Find a good place, if you're in a bad one, move on till you find a good one. Nursing doesn't have to equal abuse. It's your free choice.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.
Inexperience doesn't mean that doctors or nurses have the right to disrespect. I quit my previous job because I was belittled by too many doctors for being the new nurse. I may be a new RN, but not a new nurse, and definitely not a new addition to the workforce. Just because someone's only been a nurse for 5 years doesn't mean they're an open door for belittling. I see it as they're an open book to learn from other experienced nurses and doctors, if they want to take the time to educate instead of put down. Sadly, this is sometimes the case. I think with any job or career, people are different, work places are different, and attitude plays a big part in it. Confidence can be ruined if you have NO ONE at work to support you. Find a good place, if you're in a bad one, move on till you find a good one. Nursing doesn't have to equal abuse. It's your free choice.

Less experience does not equate less respect.

I am explaining MY situation and MY situation alone. In other words, WE don't put up with NADA and it is a

RARE physician (SURGEON ESPECIALLY) who even tries.

They just don't go there. These nurses (males included) are way too confident about themselves

as PEOPLE, not just nurses. In other words, when we speak. We expect an answer; none of these, hemming and hawwing, and "well, I'm not sure."

We don't hem.

We don't haw.

We speak clearly, decisively, directly, and expect a clear, decisive, direct answer.

Bottom line.

Did this just come with being an experienced nurse? Some. But I also have a good self-esteem, and like myself, and the people I surround myself with. I don't know what disrespectful is in my personal life, so I wouldn't be one to put up with it in my professional life.

I fear no manager, no direct, no VP, No CEO, No president. They are people.

Bottom line.

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Specializes in lots of different areas.

I fully agree with you and respect your work ethic. It's those who are confident and condescend on those without giving them a fair chance. Not flaming your post in the least. Sounds like you have a great workplace. Great for you. I can say I do now also. After removing myself from a place where putting others down was ok-from doctors to assistants, or commanders down to airmen, we are all for the same ultimate goal, patient care and patient health. Some places are better than others.

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Thank you for your replies. Jo I love your attitude. I'm on way to getting there. I think also because I'm young (24) sometimes I don't get taken seriously. I guess I'm also wondering do you think it is easier to work in a hospital vs working for a single doctor in a private practice (like a dentist). It is hard to work for someone who is often the office manager, check signer, and you are assisting him 8 hours a day.

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

It is abusive sometimes if you allow it. I don't let anyone abuse me. I had one try a few months ago but I took him aside and had a nice, professional discussion with him and he never did it again. We have one in the hospital that I had to report to the Chief of Staff and he called me and made an apology but a few weeks later he was back at it again. Just an ass. But he rarely has patients on our floor so I don't have to deal with him much. I am older than most of them anyway so they tend to leave me alone.

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