I was reading the "If only for one day" thread, and a few people mentioned how they'd like to tell off doc's who wanted them to put gel on their fingers or find stuff in drawers, etc.
Is this part of an R.N.'s job? I know it used to be a nurse's job to "serve" the doctor, but I thought we had gotten away from that.
Are you expected to "do for" the doctors at their command? Is that considered "assisting" and, hence, part of the R.N.'s job?
What are your experiences with this? Have you had to set limits?
Well sure... but does it work both ways? If you were changing a dressing, would you ask a doctor to rummage through a drawer so you didn't have to break sterile technique? or if you were giving an enema, would you ask a doctor for help in positioning your patient?
I was in the ER recently when a female came in with an asthma attack. My EMT's had just left on a call and it was just me and the doc. I got all the drugs out, started the IV and told the doc to draw up the Benadryl, which he did and then handed to me to give . . we gave all the drugs and THEN I taped up the IV site. He was fine with it.
We have one awesome doc who cleans up after himself after a delivery - even taking the placenta and instruments out. Sets up his own circ stuff. I try to anticipate him and get it all ready before he does but he usually beats me to it.
On the otherhand we have another doc who is like a cowboy - makes a bloody mess and walks out . . . leaving bloody footprints in his wake. He also expects all the circ stuff to be all laid out and DOESN'T USE lidocaine. :angryfire I had to walk out of a circ the other day . . . I was so sick to my stomach.
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,305 Posts
I was in the ER recently when a female came in with an asthma attack. My EMT's had just left on a call and it was just me and the doc. I got all the drugs out, started the IV and told the doc to draw up the Benadryl, which he did and then handed to me to give . . we gave all the drugs and THEN I taped up the IV site. He was fine with it.
We have one awesome doc who cleans up after himself after a delivery - even taking the placenta and instruments out. Sets up his own circ stuff. I try to anticipate him and get it all ready before he does but he usually beats me to it.
On the otherhand we have another doc who is like a cowboy - makes a bloody mess and walks out . . . leaving bloody footprints in his wake. He also expects all the circ stuff to be all laid out and DOESN'T USE lidocaine. :angryfire I had to walk out of a circ the other day . . . I was so sick to my stomach.
But truly, he is the exception . . . . .
steph