RN's asking Dr.'s for medical advice

netglow, ASN, RN · Oct 22, 2010

IDK, sometimes if they have worked with e/o for years -- professional courtesy... :smokin: If something needs a little more investigation they'll say so... at least in my experience. ONLY to be done on the rare occasion eg sinus infection

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2010

I think it is also waaaay unprofessional to do that. I work with surgeons who I am also friends with outside of work, and I NEVER ask them to do anything like write me a script or look at something that is bothering me. If I DO have a problem that is bothering me, I will tell them what it is and then ask them who I should make an appt with.

That being said, if one of them were to ask me to take their pressure or to change their dressing or to read their PPD, I will do it. I know that they would examine me if I asked them to, but I think that it is awkward and I would rather see them in clinic.

Scrubby · Oct 22, 2010

Personally I think there's more important things to worry about and I don't see how it's any of your business. I couldn't care less if someone wants to ask a doctor for some personal advice as long as it doesn't interfere with patient care. I mean come on there has to be some perks in this job right?

I had a lump in my neck that I was worried about and one of the anaesthetists got out the ultrasound machine and had a look at it for me, turned out it was nothing to worry about. It saved me money and potentially taking time off work to have to get it checked out.

DogWmn · Oct 22, 2010

I don't have a problem with it at all, it's called professional curtesy. On several occasions I'd be working and my regular doc would come in to do rounds and I'd ask for refills on my regular meds that took her all of 2 mins. I also did some minor procedures on her that would have been how shall we say embarrasing if she'd had to ask a doc she worked with to do it. Of course this was all in a rural area and having to drive hundreds of miles to the next doc is not an option very often.

OttawaRPN · Oct 22, 2010

Count me among those that a) see nothing wrong with this practice and b) suggest you mind your own beeswax.

Emergency rooms are plugged up enough with people simply needing an Rx refill, or an Abx for a mild infection, or pain meds for a toothache, are we supposed to be among those contributing to excessive wait times and bleeding the poor system dry? I think not. Professional courtesy is just that. A courtesy amongst professionals. We have inside connections, we might as well use them.

brownbook · Oct 22, 2010

Intellectually I understand professional courtesy and "perks". But still I think those nurses should be making appointments with their primary MD's.

I think doctors are busy enough with their own patients to not be bothered with this stuff. I think it is my old school, "doctors are IMPORTANT and shouldn't be bothered with petty stuff" hang up.

As to minding my own beeswax, yeah, but I just happen to be in the same room, area, where this takes place, not like I am eavesdropping or snooping, they do it blatantly in front of anyone who is within listening distance. I would LOVE to not hear this go on! My dentist is concerned about my teeth grinding!!!!

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 22, 2010

Intellectually I understand professional courtesy and "perks". But still I think those nurses should be making appointments with their primary MD's.
I think doctors are busy enough with their own patients to not be bothered with this stuff. I think it is my old school, "doctors are IMPORTANT and shouldn't be bothered with petty stuff" hang up.
As to minding my own beeswax, yeah, but I just happen to be in the same room, area, where this takes place, not like I am eavesdropping or snooping, they do it blatantly in front of anyone who is within listening distance. I would LOVE to not hear this go on! My dentist is concerned about my teeth grinding!!!!

OK, I respect your feelings.

But still, it's not your issue to worry about. If the MD's have an issue with staff requests, they (no doubt) will not comply with such requests. It truly has nothing to do with you.

PetiteOpRN · Oct 23, 2010

FYI, it's not just your coworkers.

My mother is a pediatrician, and all of our neighbors seem to know it. One family brought their 4-year-old daughter over while we were eating dinner so that she could look at the fingers, which were fractured.

Everyone at church, the kids' soccer games, even the subway picks up on the person who is carrying a pager.

HHRNurse · Oct 23, 2010

We've been told we cannot specifically go to the ER doctor to ask for a prescription but if we want to ask our own PCP or one we work well with that is fine. The doctor can always say no. I think of it as a professional perk. Once I was working and talking with a co-worker about my son who was home with a bad sinus infection. One of the docs was sitting close by writing orders. He left and came back several minutes later with a whole bag full of samples of antibiotics, cough med, and antihistamine/decongestants. I thought that was very nice indeed!

tencat · Oct 23, 2010

I hate to do it myself, but I did once when I had a baby with an ear infection, couldn't get into PCP, and really did NOT want to present to an ER with a baby with an ear infection only to have her get heaven knows what in the ER. I also live in a rural area with no walk-in clinic and 100 miles from the nearest big city. Bless the doc; he gave me a script for antibiotics for my kiddo. I thanked him profusely and let him know I hated to ask, but felt I had no other good options. But as a rule I will not ask. I just see it as being respectful of professional boundaries. But that's just me. This same doc has other nurses I work with constantly asking for medicines, etc., and he doesn't seem to mind, and if he and they are good with it, good for them.

Flo., BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2010

I don't see a problem with this. I trust the docs I work with and most times I have seen them notice a sick staff member and ask if they can help.