Doctors behaving badly

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Just wondering if there is anyone you can report to about a doctor's treatment of a nurse. We have a doctor who has been written up (whatever that means) many times, but our hospital tells us that the doc is not expendable, and that we the nurses are. Sarcastic comments and yelling fits really create a tense work place. Any suggestions?

Speak with a lawyer. Most states require that the employer provide a harassment free workplace. It never amazes me how fast hospital admin will act when a lawyer calls them

I agree about the lawyer, but I would start easy and get your nurse manager involved.There are probably other OB's who would also be able and maybe willing to speak to this harassing doc.If this is not addressed, I would look for another job. A hospital that will not back the nursews is not a good place to work.

We had a similar situation @ a hospital that I recently worked. She was written up many times, nurse manager somewhat involved. Nothing was done until the aid of another OB was attained. She no longer has privileges there.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Speak with a lawyer. Most states require that the employer provide a harassment free workplace. It never amazes me how fast hospital admin will act when a lawyer calls them

dang fergus, you ROCK. As usual, fergus is a great person for advice and I agree 100% with her advice here. DO get a lawyer and soon.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

and yes, make sure the manager knows of your plans.......but don't expect much from him/her, IF your hospital's policy is that nurses are expendable. This person may WELL share that philosophy. But it is ONLY fair to involve him/her in the process, so they are not blindsided.

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I would also consider reporting these incidents to the State Board of Medicine. In most cases, the doc will be forced to respond to the board in writing or in person to explain his/her behavior. If the incident is deemed to be with merit, it will remain in the doctor's file, and can be considered when applying for privileges at hospitals, or applying for a new license.

Specializes in all things maternity.

A few years ago we had a doctor that was so hard to work with and had such a temper that nurses literally quaked with fear at the thought of taking his patients or calling him at home.....especially at night. Finally, a whole group of us got together and went to the medical director and just demanded that something be done. The group, as a whole, decided that we would not accept assignments of his patients anymore. I don't know if we could have legally done that but it worked!!!

The medical director and the hospital administrator discussed the problem and forced the offending doc to take anger management classes or give up his admitting priveledges. Months later, the doctor was much easier to work with and even sent a huge bouquet of flowers to the nurses with a note thanking us for forcing him to face his problem with anger.

:balloons:

I'd say get everyone involved. The more people on board, the better. Make your voices and intentions known to the nurse manager. She might think that nurses are expendable, but a hospital can't function without nurses. Especially if they all walk out at the same time... ;)

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