I'm going into my 4th month of nursing. I feel that I have a good rapport with the physicians, cardiologists, etc. on my unit. The nursing staff is tight and very supportive. I love my job.
Over the weekend I had a surgical patient who went down the tubes in surgery. We do not typically have surgical patients. In fact, I can count on one hand how many surgical patients I've ever had-- including nursing school!
The surgeon called. I told him of my assessment; absent BS despite ambulation, etc. I told him that I have to medicate him with 1mg of dilaudid before ambulation. HE FLIPPED OUT. He called me a freak and that he didn't give a **** about bowel sounds and asked what the hell was wrong with me for giving him dilaudid, that the patient should be on oral pain meds PRN. He chewed my butt for about 10 minutes over the phone.
Then, he came in. I avoided him like the plague. He told the charge nurse that he was never going to send a surgery patient to my floor (cardiac/ICU) ever again.
I really felt like I gave his patient very good care. I medicated for pain, ambulated, C & DB. I really don't know what else I could have done.
I STILL feel like a turd for letting this surgeon intimidate me like he did. I am not easily intimidated-- but this guy did it! How do you get over the intimidation factor? I was very respectful, but I kept looking at the ground when he was talking AT me. I felt like I would cry if I looked up at him.
Remember this also. Physicians get paid good money, to be called, when it concerns their patient. If he /she chooses to ignore your assessment, then it will be their problem, & not yours. Just be sure to chart, any & all phone calls to the Physician, plus their response ,to your concern...
Years ago, when I worked in an ER (7P--7A), my favorite thing was to call the Dr.s & wake them up...I miss that.:)
I wanted to thank everyone again for all of the replies. I spoke with a friend on the surgical floor and she told me that this particular surgeon calls everyone a "freak", that it is a term of endearment for him. :stone
I just need to get thicker skin. It's coming-- the surgical floor thinks are cardiologists are arrogant. I think we just get in our own comfort zone with the people who we work closest with everyday.
I'd feel really alone if I didn't have this board to vent on! Thanks so much for being there.
aknurs
60 Posts
Remember this also. Physicians get paid good money, to be called, when it concerns their patient. If he /she chooses to ignore your assessment, then it will be their problem, & not yours. Just be sure to chart, any & all phone calls to the Physician, plus their response ,to your concern...
Years ago, when I worked in an ER (7P--7A), my favorite thing was to call the Dr.s & wake them up...I miss that.:)