Ok, I am a nursing student in an RN program and we are currently on rounds at a local hospital. I am also the daughter of a physician and RN, who was taught from a very young age to speak up about things, in a professional manner.
Scenario in point, I was on rounds at the hospital and we were at the nurses station setting up meds and a conversation is starting between 2 doctors who involve us in the conversation. My senior nurse instructor is standing with us doing the meds and hears the whole thing transpire.
Doc 1 says, "Nurses around here have it easy." (my ears burning, mouth is shut)
Doc 2 says, "Yeah, I don't know why they don't prioritize better. If they did they would not have so many complaints about so many things and tasks would be completed." (mouth still shut, face red, glaring at my instructor who is giving me the "PLEASE don't say anything or I will kill you look.")
Doc 1 says, "I should come down here and do my own rounds." (I laughed out loud thus involving myself into a now volatile situation)
Doc 2 turns and says, "Young lady are you alright" (now I could take the moral low road and just lie and say I was talking to my friend) Not me, LOL.
Nursing student (me) says, "I heard your conversation and was little surprised is all." (Nursing instructor is now bright red and praying I am not going to say what she already knows I am)
Doc 1 says, "Oh, what about our private conversation was surprising"
Nursing student says, "My dad went to med school and is a physician and he didn't tell me they had nurse training while they were there" (Nursing instructor slaps her forehead, blinks 400 times, and runs off to find a body bag for me)
Doc 2 chokes then says, "Well I went to medical school and I can surely do any nurses job. Besides you're a student you can't possible know things as of yet.
Doc 1 is standing with his mouth gaping open, speechless.
Nursing student says, "I am sure these nurses would appreciate some assistance. BTW I have to give meds out, would you like to help"
Thus resulting in both of them shaking their heads and walking away.
Now, I realize this conversation could have, and probably should have went a different direction, but it gives me sunburn on my ass when I hear doctors say things like that. Of all places, in FRONT OF the nurses station. That is adding insult to injury. Most of those nurses standing around weren't going to say anything, for obvious reasons, but the idea that they have to put up with that nonsense is enraging to me. I am a foolish nursing student, but I don't believe what those docs did was right, professional, or even tolerable. The fact they BELIEVE the things they were saying was a laugh.
Anyways, do you all have to listen to Docs speak that way on a regular basis?
Well, I read all your responses and as I expected only a small riot broke out. Thank you all for your opinions, as well all have them. I was not trying to be mean spirited, as noted by my laughter, nor was my instructor embarrassed as she told me this afternoon that she had to walk away cause she was laughing and knew if any student would say anything it would be me. As for the doctors 1 and 2, I found out today that they were both just released from medical school, maybe that attests for the smugness of their comments, who knows. I completely understand picking battles and as my instructor pointed out our class on professionalism is in 2 months so maybe my mouth will learn how to tone down a bit then, maybe I just have too much of my parents in me to be quiet. I am sure I will be in the nurse managers offices more than once about remaining silent or just maybe I will take on some crusade to take on the mindset of physicians (One can dream). One thing I know from being with my parents is that those who are silent are those with ulcers, headaches, chronic back and butt pains, and the occasional ear ache, LOL. Good thing I have a rather padded rump to take all the chewings I am sure are to come my way.
Blessings to you all, pray for my rather large mouth, and I await to read more comments on this and other subjects....
Thank you again for all who have and will post either agreeing or not agreeing.
I imagine you are going to make an excellent advocate for your profession and your patients. Don't be afraid to speak your mind you will learn when and where to pick your battles that comes with expereince. I get into all sort of trouble when I started out now I am senior enough to get away with it don't loose the passion that made you want to stand up for you profession (to be)
At my hospital, doctors come in, see patients, write orders and leave. The only time I see doctors interacting with nurses is when they are complaining or asking why something did or did not happen. There is a bit of subordination that goes on between MD and RN, but overall it's not horrible to the point of beng offensive. There are a couple of MDs that are rude, unprofessional and inappropriate when RNs call them for orders clarifications or when patient emergencies arise. However, those two doctors have actually improved in how they treat us in recent weeks. Our nurse mgr has become more outspoken and better about letting hospital management know when an unprofessional encounter occurs.
Specializes in SICU, EMS, Home Health, School Nursing.
At my hospital, doctors come in, see patients, write orders and leave. The only time I see doctors interacting with nurses is when they are complaining or asking why something did or did not happen. There is a bit of subordination that goes on between MD and RN, but overall it's not horrible to the point of beng offensive. There are a couple of MDs that are rude, unprofessional and inappropriate when RNs call them for orders clarifications or when patient emergencies arise. However, those two doctors have actually improved in how they treat us in recent weeks. Our nurse mgr has become more outspoken and better about letting hospital management know when an unprofessional encounter occurs.
We also have a few docs like that, but since we have been getting intensivists things have really began to change! The docs will actually ask for our opinions. Like the other last weekend I worked, I basically worked my butt off to keep one of my patients alive. I had to call the doc several times for orders throughout the night... my poor patient was going down the tubes fast When I got my labs back that morning, I had an "oh crap" moment and so I immediately called the doc and he had the same response (which is never a good thing) Instead of just barking orders at me, he asked what my ideas were and I told him, he agreed and had me order those things along with him telling me that he would be in within the hour (yes, the patient was going that fast)
I work in the ICU, so I'm not sure if it is like that on our other floors, but I really appreciate the changes occurring within our ICU. Some of our intensivists and hospitalists will actually seek us out to ask us if we need anything or have any questions/ideas. One actually offered to put a foley in the new admit that he just gave us?!? I am hoping that this is a lasting change, not just a "hey I'm new, lets impress the nurses" short term thing.
Interesting comments. The conversation should not have happened at a nursing station and the OP could not help that she overheard it. She was invited to the conversation when they addressed her. They could have just walked away when they realized their conversation was possibly overheard. If the situation reversed would some admonish the Doctor for reacting to nurses talking similarly?
Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.
now, i realize this conversation could have, and probably should have went a different direction, but it gives me sunburn on my ass when i hear doctors say things like that. of all places, in front of the nurses station. that is adding insult to injury. most of those nurses standing around weren't going to say anything, for obvious reasons, but the idea that they have to put up with that nonsense is enraging to me. i am a foolish nursing student, but i don't believe what those docs did was right, professional, or even tolerable. the fact they believe the things they were saying was a laugh.
anyways, do you all have to listen to docs speak that way on a regular basis?
i think their 'private conversation' in front of the nurses station was probably meant to be overheard, or it wouldn't have been public! i'm sure your response took them by surprise.
i don't think most doc's
think we sit around painting our nails..i think they are sometimes frustrated, and want the one patient they are following to have xyz done immediately, where the reality is we have 4 or 6 patients that all need xzy and we have 2 hands , 2 legs and lots of other variables that we have to deal with to get these things done. some will learn,some will always have attitudes, superiority complexes , and some will always be nice, appreciative and thankful. personality differences i guess.
i've had doc's put down each other , nurses, management, their superiors as well as nurses doing the same ......across the board.
i applaud your defense of the profession. we should not be treated as subordinates,we need to stand up for ourselves. be strong and steadfast and you will be respected . i think you will make a great patient advocate ! don't lose your cajones !!
I am a nurse, and I don't tolerate such from Doc's either.
The ONLY way to make changes in our practice and profession is to refuse to tolerate unprofessional behavior from other healthcare team members, and rudeness/unrealistic demands from patients.
When I got my labs back that morning, I had an "oh crap" moment and so I immediately called the doc and he had the same response (which is never a good thing) Instead of just barking orders at me, he asked what my ideas were and I told him, he agreed and had me order those things along with him telling me that he would be in within the hour (yes, the patient was going that fast) 
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XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN
1 Article; 3,020 Posts
I imagine you are going to make an excellent advocate for your profession and your patients. Don't be afraid to speak your mind you will learn when and where to pick your battles that comes with expereince. I get into all sort of trouble when I started out now I am senior enough to get away with it don't loose the passion that made you want to stand up for you profession (to be)