Tired of being talked to like I am stupid

[Student2Registered]

I've been in my nursing career for 8 months now...learned an awful lot - still have A LOT to learn of course. However, I do feel I can carry my own. I've handled so many emergencies, caught low lab values, questioned orders that don't sound quite right, take initiative, etc. I have noticed there is no "new grad" exceptions when it comes to assignments so I must be doing okay if I'm handling some of the most complicated patient's on the unit right??? Why is it that a couple of Docs talk to me like I am a COMPLETE IDIOT. When do I get to shake this stigma of being a new grad? Ugh I'm so sick of it.

[aura_of_laura]

Congratulations, OP, you are fulfilling your job description. It's nice to be encouraged, especially when one is new, but you can't expect everyone to leap for joy when you are doing exactly what you're supposed to be doing. Don't find your self-worth in whether the doctor pats you on the back!

I hate the "us vs. them" mentality that so many nurses (and doctors) take. We're a team. If you treat physicians as human beings, you'll see they tend to reciprocate. When's the last time you asked a doc about his or her weekend, or if they're getting over that cold? I'm not suggesting you offer your seat and make him or her some coffee, but why not treat them like a human? If you act like a colleague instead of some pissy underling, you'll be treated like one. Try not to lump physicians together, or roll your eyes and b**** about how terrible doctors are - grow up! If you can form a collegial relationship, you'll find fewer docs lump you in with "stupid nurses."

And for those of us lucky enough to work in teaching hospitals, start changing attitudes with the new generation! Help the med students, encourge them - and do the same for pharm, nursing, and OT students!

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

You probably need to take this up with the people you feel are talking down to you.

I'd recommend being very cautious if you approach them. You're still very new, despite the good progress you are making. It's way too soon in your career to make enemies of the doctors.

[Up2nogood RN, RN]

I honestly don't think that docs keep up with how long you've been a nurse. I'm lucky to work with a compassionate group of Dr.'s who don't treat me as an idiot and take the time to explain things when I ask questions. All those things you mentioned in your post OP is great but a DR won't give a rats orifice what you've accomplished just that you're competent and don't page for stupid things. In the grand scheme of things I ask myself does it matter?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i've been in my nursing career for 8 months now...learned an awful lot - still have a lot to learn of course. however, i do feel i can carry my own. i've handled so many emergencies, caught low lab values, questioned orders that don't sound quite right, take initiative, etc. i have noticed there is no "new grad" exceptions when it comes to assignments so i must be doing okay if i'm handling some of the most complicated patient's on the unit right??? why is it that a couple of docs talk to me like i am a complete idiot. when do i get to shake this stigma of being a new grad? ugh i'm so sick of it.

not to be unduly harsh, but are you positive you're not a complete idiot? ok, just kidding. is it possible that you're lacking in communication skills when it comes to physicians? they're just people, too. talk to them like they're just people instead of gods from on high, and they'll probably respond in kind.

one of your jobs as a new grad is self-assessment. if someone gives you feedback, whether negative or postitive and whether kindly or directly, stop and really think about it instead of just dismissing it because "doctors are like that," or "that's just an old nurse eating her young." have you ever noticed that everyone who writes on this board thinks they're a good nurse? yet many of them are having the same issues time and again . . . could be they need some self assessment. it's just possible that you do, too.

please do me the courtesy and yourself the kindness of at least stopping to think about this before dismissing me as a tired old hag eating her young.

[ItsTheDude]

docs and other nurses that talk down to newbie nurses is tolerated.

however, the docs that routinely talk down to exp fellow coworkers are the ones that will get in trouble in the future where i work. we do not cover for those docs, if they make a mistake they pay for it.

[firstyearstudent]

Do you really think they talk to you like that because you're knew. It's because you're a nurse period.

[Blackheartednurse]

I work in a large teaching hospital and I'm on orientation now and in all seriousness I really dont have time nor desire to care how and why doctors display certain attitudes toward me,with all honesty I could care less,I do worry though about performing well as a new nurse and dont waste my time in thinking which doctor said what to me.I'm surprise why you care so much.

[eevee9891]

From a third person point of view. Yes a good number of doctor are like that. But also a good number of nurses need to be spoon fed (probably best that I don't elaborate). So i guess there is a correlation there. From a non biased point of view.

Reference: From experience.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

I never had doctors talk down to me or not treat me with respect but I also worked the first 9 year in critical care and it seems less a problem in that area. One time a physician yelled because I was using the work station (computer) that he had intended on using but did not sit there - apparently he had sat down but got up to take a phone call and when he came back I was sitting there. That yelling did not really help with the situation. I complained about the yelling to my manager and after that just ignored that physician for a while since I did not have direct business with that person to begin with ...

Respect is something that is partly earned and there are some things you can do to enhance how other professionals treat you: communicate clearly (SBAR), show your critical thinking skills, do not run around like a chicken without head no matter how busy it is, and do not dress sloppy. It is definitely also getting less likely to be treated poorly once you are getting older, so time will work for you as well.

IN my opinion everybody should treat everybody always with respect - but I guess that is not always the case - so a somewhat thick skin is also helpful...

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

OP, your post does have the tone of conceit. Knowingly or not. It is awesome that in 8 months you have handled your practice well. But 8 minutes, 8 days, 8 months or 8 years, you are not the primary decision maker.

And the practitioners get a little nudgy when they are told that you want them to order something as opposed to them making that decision.

Usually, I would look over the orders, as the MD was still there (and they get extra weird when they haven't even rounded on the patient and you are asking for a bunch of stuff) and I would say "What do you think about something for the patient's ________" as opposed to" I want __________ for_________."

And when calling "Patient _______ who presented with_______ now has a BP of________. What are your parameters for this patient, and how would you like me to proceed?"

Yes, there are some units that have the same practitioners for years, the same nurses for years, and there's a familiarity with the process. But even the most wonderful practitioners will get snappy with a cocky nurse who is telling them what to order.

So just don't do that.

[RNator]

We need to keep trying to change the culture in the work place. It NEVER WAS ok for Nurses to be treated with disrespect! All those who have gone before us and have assumed the victim mentality have done no good in stopping such behavior. Sure, pick your battles, not everything is worth fighting for, but generalized disrespect needs to be stopped ASAP, and it takes some backbone.

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

OP is faaaar from a new grad these days ...this post was from 2010.