ughhhhh...

I don't think I've been in an experience that intimidating (ugh...sounds VERY frustrating). But, I think the best way to get over it is to stand tall and realize that you're still learning, make a list of things you didn't know (stirrups etc..) and make sure you know for next time.

Far too often, nursing (and medicine) is learned through failure. Just keep pushing yourself to do better next time.

God do I hate that! There is nothing that quite as deflating as doing your best only to have the doc say something like that to you.

One way to deal with that is to say to the doc "let me get a nurse with more experience" and then bellow for help early on.

Then, after everything has settled, make a list of the things you didn't know how to do and go to your supervisor and ask them to help you become proficient with them before the next crisis. Don't let them push you off by telling you not to worry, you'll get it with time. Explain that to better serve the patient, you would rather learn the stuff in a non-urgent setting.

The other thing is, for some reason, certain doctors tend to think that they only have to say the words and things appear. Sunday night, we had a pt that needed an art line and a TLC. 3 experienced nurses were setting up and it wasn't fast enough for him. Every 30 seconds or so he would want to know where his art line set up was.

BTW, I get all deer in the headlights looking in situations where someone is barking at me to do things and I don't even know where to find the equipment. It does get better.

The reason this physician was getting "all worked up" was because he was not any more prepared (either emotionally or clinically, or both), than you were for the impending situation.

Don't focus on how it made you feel, because that will eat your insides for weeks...but instead focus on what items you can address that will make you improve on your performance next time. You will find great satisfaction in being your own best teacher instead of focusing on being JUST your own worst critic.

Don't slam yourself too hard. We all have been there. You are learning and it takes time to get it all right. Just don't let these experiences stymie you and if you are being verbally-berated, just calmly take the dr aside and remind him/her you are learning and will be happy to hear any hints/advice he/she has to help you become more efficient. Puts the ball in their court and shows you are not defensive, but willing to be proactive and a valuable member of the team.

Hang in there; I have been where you are. It's not fun, but you will get through.

The reason this physician was getting "all worked up" was because he was not any more prepared (either emotionally or clinically, or both), than you were for the impending situation.

Don't focus on how it made you feel, ...

Shamira Aizza,

Thank you for this well worded and great advice.

Gen

this is being said without any criticism of you:

try to anticipate as much as possible what will be needed

have a thorough orientation to all the equipment,

know where everything is, and what's in the place and how it works

if the doctor starts screaming, tell the doctor to stop it, it's not necessary, to get on track & you'll work together

Good point about the dr not being prepared....this happens. That is why when they get all hot and bothered, I force myself to cool down and then address them at a more calm time. I have left no doubt that I will not tolerate being abused in the future. I am always one who owns what I have done wrong, also. This helps. But like I said, don't get too flustered and let this go. Learn from it what you can and move on.

Far too often, nursing (and medicine) is learned through failure. Just keep pushing yourself to do better next time.

EXACTLY!!! It's one of the ways we learn on our feet, unfortunately! But it still doesn't "feel good". Just go back and learn from it, figure out where everything is that was asked for, practice with it. Next time it will just be something else. There's ALWAYS something new to learn! That's why I can still love my job!

Docs like that are the reason I chose to stay in LTC when I got out of clinicals back in '96. I saw docs that screamed at the nurses for asking (what seemed like) logical questions to my inexperienced mind, then talk down about the "dumb" nurse in front of us students after she'd left the room. At our facility we have one doc we deal with as primary - it's great, SHE's great!

First off, you shouldn't have been by yourself in that situation until you've had more experience. Grab someone next time something like that is going down. Not fussing at you, just giving my 2c worth and perhaps a different perspective. Always plan ahead for the unexpected. It's better to have extra hands and not need them than the reverse.

No one likes to be spoken to that way - even experienced nurses. But the negative comments that bug us the most are the ones we feel their is some truth to. As a newbie, you worry you won't be able to handle a crisis. Your fear was at least somewhat validated by that experience. That's why it nags at you. But don't let it get you down. We've ALL had those ughhh moments. You have to accept you are learning and use experiences like this one as opportunities to learn and grow.