"My Nurses"

Nurses Relations

Published

When I was in the OR the other day for a minor procedure (I was the patient), I asked the MD a question and he said "I'll ask one of my nurses." Then again, before I was discharged, he informed me to contact "My nurse" to set up a post op appointment.

My question for all of you nurses is--how do you feel about being referred to as a physicians piece of property?

And yes I know I blew this WAY out of proportion, but I want to know what you guys/gals think of this subject! This isn't the first time I've heard an MD refer to a nurse as their own.

Personally, when being talked about by an MD, I would want them to say my name is Dr. So and so and I work with nurse so and so. He/she will get you the information you need.

Let me know what you think!

Well without being there I am just giving you a general answer. I can't see something like this bothering me. If it did, I would probably let the doctor know in a light hearted way, maybe ask him for the receipt as proof of purchase or something but I would not take it personally, and don't get into so much minutia. If it does bother that nurse he or she should speak up. I don't think I would appreciate a patient or anyone else getting in there on my behalf though.

I take it as a compliment when I am referred as their NP.

I think when a physician refers to a nurse as "My nurse" that's a good thing. It means he considers the nurse part of his team. It's better not to take offense at little things and concentrate on building good relationships with the physicians you work with based on mutual respect. They don't own us and they know that. It is not us against them. That has been my experience over the last 36 years as an RN.

I take it as a compliment that I am being referred as their NP

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

You TOTALLY missed my point.

Because people continue to ask questions and I am continuing to answer them.

Often nurses are hired to work with a specific physician, therefore it would be his nurse. The whole property thing is way off base.

I think sometimes we get too sensitive. After almost 30 yrs as an RN I've learned what to ignore and what really matters. You learn to pick your battles and this is one that's not worth fighting. It doesn't impact patient care or safety.

Specializes in Huntingtons, LTC, Ortho, Acute Care.

I'll be honest, I kind of view it as a term of endearment. You don't associate yourself or your care with people you don't like or trust.

does it sound possessive absolutely but I have a spine surgeon that always request I care for his patients or at the very least check on them. I've heard him tell the patients "my nurse .... She's my feet in the trenches, and I really trust her judgement. So I want you to trust her and follow her lead, she will help you get to recovery!"

No I don't work for his practice, I work for the hospital. But he identifies me as a strong nurse he trusts with his patients, and that's probably the biggest compliment we will get, when people claim us!

you wouldn't be mad if a patient refferred to you as "my nurse" would you? Sure some doctors may just be pompous and are being possessive due to the God complex some of them get, but in most of my experiences the doctors that have referred to me as "My Nurse" I have very strong professional relationships with and we view each other as equals. They know I'm the eyes and ears I know their the treatment prescribers... But that their next moves depend on what I see and report! We know we need each other to work!

In my case I am not going to remember 100 names. If I am floating or traveling as I did for years it just make sense. Also, I asked myself how I would feel if a doc referred to me as "that nurse" or the "nurse out there" Is that better? No, it would be a thread about why the doctor seems to hate you.

When I was in the OR the other day for a minor procedure (I was the patient), I asked the MD a question and he said "I'll ask one of my nurses." Then again, before I was discharged, he informed me to contact "My nurse" to set up a post op appointment.

My question for all of you nurses is--how do you feel about being referred to as a physicians piece of property?

And yes I know I blew this WAY out of proportion, but I want to know what you guys/gals think of this subject! This isn't the first time I've heard an MD refer to a nurse as their own.

Personally, when being talked about by an MD, I would want them to say my name is Dr. So and so and I work with nurse so and so. He/she will get you the information you need.

Let me know what you think!

Hi Hairy

I just wanted to pipe in here for a second. I wont say that you blew things out of proportion. I suspect that you know whether you did that or not. It wouldnt change my response.

Im not nurse. I got that career shot down the tubes early on. I suspect many of you will tell me I shouldnt even be here posting having admitted to that. Maybe my responses wont be given credit as well. I do understand that but I'll still add my opinion / experience here. Im not real shy.

I do work among a LOT of nurses. Ive trained several on the job we do. NO one is "higher" or more important than any other though some seem to think there is. I have found myself, when talking to Providers or Patients, saying things like "I'll have one of my Nurses call you" or "I'll have one of my Nurses review that". I absolutely do not think of them as possessions or "things" or anything negative. I do mean that I am not a Nurse and he or she is that lab or Xray is something that I think a Nurse needs to review whatever.

Please dont dwell on this. Rise above it and be all you can be. Have an awesome weekend

Hi Hairy

I just wanted to pipe in here for a second. I wont say that you blew things out of proportion. I suspect that you know whether you did that or not. It wouldnt change my response.

Im not nurse. I got that career shot down the tubes early on. I suspect many of you will tell me I shouldnt even be here posting having admitted to that. Maybe my responses wont be given credit as well. I do understand that but I'll still add my opinion / experience here. Im not real shy.

I do work among a LOT of nurses. Ive trained several on the job we do. NO one is "higher" or more important than any other though some seem to think there is. I have found myself, when talking to Providers or Patients, saying things like "I'll have one of my Nurses call you" or "I'll have one of my Nurses review that". I absolutely do not think of them as possessions or "things" or anything negative. I do mean that I am not a Nurse and he or she is that lab or Xray is something that I think a Nurse needs to review whatever.

Please dont dwell on this. Rise above it and be all you can be. Have an awesome weekend

Thank you for you input. And your opinion is important and welcomed. This maybe a nurse site but working in healthcare we are all members of the same team and each persons opinion is needed. I know that as a nurse I could not do my job by myself. As I mentioned before I think we all use the word "my". And I think in many instances it is a term of endearment. I know I use it all the time.

Thank you for sharing your insight.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

You're not a nurse but your "bio" says you have 17 years of nursing experience? Interesting.

Hi Hairy

I just wanted to pipe in here for a second. I wont say that you blew things out of proportion. I suspect that you know whether you did that or not. It wouldnt change my response.

Im not nurse. I got that career shot down the tubes early on. I suspect many of you will tell me I shouldnt even be here posting having admitted to that. Maybe my responses wont be given credit as well. I do understand that but I'll still add my opinion / experience here. Im not real shy.

I do work among a LOT of nurses. Ive trained several on the job we do. NO one is "higher" or more important than any other though some seem to think there is. I have found myself, when talking to Providers or Patients, saying things like "I'll have one of my Nurses call you" or "I'll have one of my Nurses review that". I absolutely do not think of them as possessions or "things" or anything negative. I do mean that I am not a Nurse and he or she is that lab or Xray is something that I think a Nurse needs to review whatever.

Please dont dwell on this. Rise above it and be all you can be. Have an awesome weekend

Specializes in Pedi.

I thought of this thread the other day when an NP asked me for a suggestion of an alternative drug for a patient because the IV antibiotic they wanted to send him on was on national back order. I responded "let me ask my Pharmacist." I do not own her but she is the Pharmacist on my team, just as I am the nurse on her team and I am just as much "her nurse liaison" and she is "my Pharmacist."

+ Add a Comment