Pt asks: Is my surgeon any good? Your response is...

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You know those surgeons that when their patient is on their way to OR you ask the universe to please not let the surgeon kill this one, too?

When their patient asks you, "Is my surgeon any good?" You can't tell them the truth, a floor nurse would lose her job. You can't lie, that's not right.

How do you answer this question? I know how I used to do it, how do you respond? You have to admit, there are those surgeons that should be used during war time, operating on the enemy. Doogie Howser could give them some pointers. They are the docs keeping ICU busy.

Your response to the patient?

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"I fortunately have not had to use his services but I will tell you what, he is a hell of a lot better surgeon than I am!"

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"It is my first day on the job. I have no idea."

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

He is very qualified and has been here x amount of years. We get many of his patients and take very great care of them. The OR staff is excellent.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

"Too late to worry about that now"

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:roflmao:NOADLS and ktwlpn, are you two related? One and the same? Coworkers? Neighbors?

It's a 40mile drive for me to get a new keyboard....

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He does surgery on many of the patients on our floor. He also takes care of some of the sickest patients in the hospital.

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"I'm a travel nurse and have never met him before." Actually this was a true statement. Not reassuring but hey it was the truth.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

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"There are some people that have just love him to death"

Pun fully intended for the patients who choose him/her for care. And no one needs to know you were thinking about the local funeral home directors as well.

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I tell them that someday he'll be great! That way if they repeat it to the doctor I can clarify meaning that he'll be famous due to his (lack of) skills.

You know, at my age this is yet another thing I will ever have to worry about, my patient going to OR and wondering if they will survive the surgeon.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

Stupid question to ask while going INTO the OR......Do your homework,patients

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"I'm a travel nurse and have never met him before." Actually this was a true statement. Not reassuring but hey it was the truth.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

I've pulled the agency nurse card a few times...sometimes when I was working agency...sometimes when I was working staff...luckily it was never a frequent flyer who could call my bluff:saint:

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