Short and sweet. I am a new nurse. I think and have gotten feedback that I am doing a good job...BUT!!! I am afraid of the docs. They intimidate the crap out of me. All of them. Any advice to help me get over this? I feel like there is this weird thing that goes on between the docs and nurses, like if I am sitting to chart and a doc walks within a 5 foot radius of me, I feel the need to jump up just in case they might need my chair or computer.
But more important, I feel that my fear is getting in the way of patient care sometimes. I hate calling them. I hate to bother them when they show up to the floor. I never know which one to call because my patients have so many doctors.
Is this something that will just get easier in time? This is unusual for me to be so uncomfortable and I seriously dislike the way I feel.
I have been a nurse for about 3 months now. I was TERRIFIED of the docs for a while. I had worked on the same unit as a tech for a year and while I saw most of them around they never talked to me as a tech. When I became an RN I had no idea who was who (we are a surgical unit with about 8 different surgical services to call and the residents tend to switch services every couple months which makes it more confusing). Once I started learning who they were I wouldn't hesisitate to walk up to them to ask a question. I found it also helped to go into the room if they were doing something (a dressing change or discussing the plan on care with the patient). Most docs seem to appreciate the extra set of hands. We also have mostly residents on the floor which helps because many of them ask me how to do things. :) I have found the ones who are the nicest and most approachable have made me less scared of the more arrogant ones. When it comes down to it, I could care less if I call them and they are rude to me, I am calling them for the patient, not for myself.
I will never forget the first resident to remember my name, and use it when he speaks to me, I always make sure his orders are carried out stat!
Oh and one time I had to call the attending physician for a patient because the resident was in the room with an arterial bleed of the toe and she felt totally in over her head. I had always been taught that you never call the attending, but this one was FANTASTIC, kind, and came immediately to help.
Short and sweet. I am a new nurse. I think and have gotten feedback that I am doing a good job...BUT!!! I am afraid of the docs. They intimidate the crap out of me. All of them. Any advice to help me get over this? I feel like there is this weird thing that goes on between the docs and nurses, like if I am sitting to chart and a doc walks within a 5 foot radius of me, I feel the need to jump up just in case they might need my chair or computer.
But more important, I feel that my fear is getting in the way of patient care sometimes. I hate calling them. I hate to bother them when they show up to the floor. I never know which one to call because my patients have so many doctors.
Is this something that will just get easier in time? This is unusual for me to be so uncomfortable and I seriously dislike the way I feel.
Help!
OH, no- don't do that
(that used to be mandatory- for real)
They're just people. Remember YOU are why THEY get to go home every day !! They should be bringing you flowers, and smiles, and gift cards to a day spa
Seriously, everybody plays an important role in healthcare- they just get the good press. Without nurses, doctors wouldn't have jobs. :)
I think all nurses are afraid of the docs at first. I still am a little bit, and I've been a nurse for just over a year. It does get better as you get more confidence in yourself. My best advice is: they are doctors not gods. If they need a chair or a computer (and they are rude enough) they will tell you. If you have to call them - have all your ducks in a row first so you don't have to fumble for information while on the phone. Don't be afraid to call them if you gotta - don't say "i'm sorry to bother you, but....." - they chose the profession, on-call hours go with their job. Chin up :) They get less scary after you remember they are human too!
Yet another update, all week I have tried really hard to begin the process of overcoming this. All this advice, I can't tell you how much help it has been. I had to remind myself, yes, they are human, too! So I have built a rapport with a few of the Hospatilists already and I am doing much better with even some of the lesser known docs and surgeons too. So glad I put this out there. You all have helped me so much.
CorazonDeOro
348 Posts
I have been a nurse for about 3 months now. I was TERRIFIED of the docs for a while. I had worked on the same unit as a tech for a year and while I saw most of them around they never talked to me as a tech. When I became an RN I had no idea who was who (we are a surgical unit with about 8 different surgical services to call and the residents tend to switch services every couple months which makes it more confusing). Once I started learning who they were I wouldn't hesisitate to walk up to them to ask a question. I found it also helped to go into the room if they were doing something (a dressing change or discussing the plan on care with the patient). Most docs seem to appreciate the extra set of hands. We also have mostly residents on the floor which helps because many of them ask me how to do things. :) I have found the ones who are the nicest and most approachable have made me less scared of the more arrogant ones. When it comes down to it, I could care less if I call them and they are rude to me, I am calling them for the patient, not for myself.
I will never forget the first resident to remember my name, and use it when he speaks to me, I always make sure his orders are carried out stat!
Oh and one time I had to call the attending physician for a patient because the resident was in the room with an arterial bleed of the toe and she felt totally in over her head. I had always been taught that you never call the attending, but this one was FANTASTIC, kind, and came immediately to help.
It gets easier, I promise.