Talking to Doctors

[NurseYe]

How do you guys go about feeping comfortable talking to doctors about your patient. I'm a new grad and I'm having trouble feeling comfortable talking to doctors and giving reports.

[loriangel14, RN]

Make sure you have all your ducks in a row before you talk to them.Know their history, recent labs and vital signs and what meds they are on just as a baseline.You want to be prepared to answer questions that they may have for you.If you are speaking on the phone to them be sure to identify yourself clearly and which patient you are calling about.The doctors at my place of employment are generally pretty good to deal with and treat the nurses with respect, so it's easy to keep it professional. I always thank them if they have called in response to a page.

I am lucky to work where I do. I work in a small hospital and recently one of the doctors got called on the carpet (by the CEO,no less) for being rude to a nurse.

[RN&mom]

I agree with loriangel14 100%! The only thing I would add is always admit if you don't know something or don't have the information asked for (but offer to get it ASAP if appropriate). Most doctors are more than happy to teach/guide new grads. Let them know you're new and always do your best to be prepared, it will get easier!

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I was a little intimidated at first, too, but really - it's not that bad. Unless you're calling a surgeon. Then it really is that bad.

Most doctors are not that uptight, but you really better triple check everything before you pick up the phone if you're calling a surgeon. I have yet to meet one that didn't ask me ten million questions about the patient before giving me an order.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

I'm fine with calling if I know what to anticipate. I just have all the information ready. If I'm calling someone unfamiliar, or about a situation that's unfamiliar, I ask a senior nurse for advice. Someone more experienced can guide you as to what questions the MD is likely to have. I also leave the record up on the computer and the paper chart nearby for any unexpected inquiries.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

I once reported a doctor for giving me a nasty reply. The supervisor agreed. She is no longer working on our service. Speak up, you don't have to take the rudeness! Doctors are not better than nurses!

[Butterfly41]

The advice I've read so far is great. Remember that you are a professional just as they are and therefor their equal. Know the required information or be where you can look it up quickly. One of our roles as nurses is patient advocate so don't let them dismiss you or bully you if you know your right stand your ground. Your license is not dependent on his and therefor your choices and actions are all that affect your career not the doc's. I had a surgeon that was yelling at me on the phone after I requested that he stop he yelled louder then I told him if he did not stop I would hang up and did. You can always stand your ground and remain professional remember to try and never take it personal. My manager and director backed my actions with the surgeon. We also have a policy in which if a doctor is in our unit and is yelling or being belligerent we call a code green (our hospitals code for potential violence). If for no other reason than in hopes the negative attention will embarrass them bad enough that they won't wish to do it again.

Butterfly41 using allnurses.com