would you take a job with a mean doctor?

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I am in the process of interviewing for a RN position in an ambulatory setting, two days a week. As I weigh out the pros and cons of the position, the biggest CON is the physician I would be working along side of. She is excellent at what she does but she is......mean. I know it because I've seen it first hand when she rounded on my patient on a nursing division. She didn't like something she saw so she really laid in to me about it in a nasty way. The nurses who currently work with her in this clinic confirmed my suspicions.

So my question is.....would you work for a mean doctor?

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

If I were certain that the doctor was mean, and not just having a bad day, socially challenged or legitimately angry, I would not go to work for them. Life is too short.

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So my question is.....would you work for a mean doctor?

I wouldn't work for a "mean" doctor, but I'd be OK with a doctor who got mad when things were screwed up ...even if their communication skills were not great. What I find "mean", and impossible to deal, with is inconsistency. Someone who gets mad and reactive for opposite reasons is not someone I'd choose to be around. On Monday, it's "Why didn't you call me about this elevated blood pressure?" ...and on Tuesday, "Why are you calling me about an elevated blood pressure?" No, thank you!!

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

Nope nope nope.

The impact a bad boss can have on your life is too huge- and if they're vindictive, or if you quickly realize you can't stand it, they can mess up your life AFTER that job, too, by giving you a bad reference or creating a short position on your resume.

Unless you have no other options at all, there are few if any things about a job (life-changing amounts of money MAYBE but you're not going to get that in ambulatory care or any other normal nursing job) that could compensate for having an unreasonable, mean boss.

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Depends on what you classify as mean and whether or not they were beyond redemption.

I wouldn't work for a long time spoiled ass that has been hateful and demoralizing for decades but I would work for someone who was temperamental with high expectations.

Well, that's if I really knew my stuff, I would have to be strong in the particular area.

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

Absolutely not! :(

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Do you have any idea why she is the way she is? Just curious.

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

I don't tolerate mean doctors. I will not work with them if I can avoid. If I can't I report and write notes about their unprofessional attitudes. i.e. it a Dr is a jerk to me on the phone and give me orders I cannot safely understand (that is: talking like their write on paper) I simply don't take the orders and say "Dr decline checking back orders with RN, orders not taken" end of story.

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Oddly, I have never had a problem telling a mean physician to knock it off, specifically. Like most bullies, they stop when somebody calls them on it.

I would NEVER spend my days biting my tongue. Some people just need to be educated. If they're on the spectrum, they might not be aware of how they're being seen. But those folks are usually wiling to learn more about nonverbal cues or how to get validation. Jerks, though, they just need to hear it.

When I had my semi-emergent hyst my sweet GYN asked me if Dr. Soandso could scrub in as assistant. I said I knew he was very good and you wouldn't ask him if he weren't, but I don't want him in the room until I'm asleep and I don't want to see him when I'm awake. GYN started, and asked why. I told him that I had observed Dr. S being guilty of some amazing acts of cruelty to patients, some in front of nursing students, and while I doubted very much he'd pull any of that crap on me, I didn't want him around me when I could see him. Bad karma. And I said, "You can tell him I said so."

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It depends, if she's just rude you could just ignore her comments... let 'em go in one ear and out the other. But if her behaviors or attitude will interfere with you being able to perform your job then I think you know you shouldn't consider such a toxic situation.

Unless you're desperate for money, I'd suggest you run away from this position and do not look back. Nothing you described = a recipe for a conducive, respectful work environment.

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Specializes in Neurology, Geriatrics.

That con should be a deal-breaker. She may be an excellent physician, but there is no excuse for that type of behavior. I really just don't understand how an organization could keep someone that does those things just because they are "money makers", or are the best in their field. Who cares if they treat people badly? If they are good at what they do and bring in money, they're a keeper. I have seen it before, and I can't stand it. If they are going to treat people that way, why on earth did they go into the medical field?

Anyway, I digress. Happiness and job satisfaction are more important than money, and I think you would find that out if you were to take the job and work there for a period of time. There will be better jobs out there for you. Your self-esteem and self-worth are more valuable. I'm sure you're a fantastic RN, and I have a feeling that she would have you feeling down on yourself in no time.

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Specializes in peds, allergy-asthma, ob/gyn office.

No! I have worked in two different offices. In one the doc was kind, humble, low-key, and treated as as humans. Best job ever. The other was for another doc who was the complete opposite. It was the worst two years of my life.

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Yes!!

Go for it.

It sounds great.

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