When a Doctor is very nasty...and

elkpark · Jul 19, 2014

Sue?? You can't be serious. Talk to the administration (as a group -- do all the nurses feel the same about him?). If he's really that bad, and the administration is unwilling to set limits on his behavior, are you looking for another job? I've mostly found, over the years, that people only treat you as badly as you let them treat you, and, if you stand up to them (in a professional manner), the behavior stops. If it doesn't, it's time to leave. Individuals and employers are only able to get away with stuff like this because people (nurses, in this case) let them. If your employer couldn't keep enough nurses to staff the place and keep it operating, they'd have to make some changes -- but it seems there are always enough nurses willing to put up with crummy working conditions that the employers can just keep rolling along the way things are.

vanessaem, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2014

I agree with elkpark. You all should've nip his behavior and comments in the bud from a long time ago. "People only treat you the way you let them treat you," that's always been my motto.

Someone being a jerk is usually not grounds for a lawsuit. Isn't there a chain of command for reporting this particular doctor? If he's somehow making working conditions unbearable for you, perhaps instead of discussing amongst yourselves how horrible this he is, perhaps you all can talk to your nurse manager.

NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN · Jul 19, 2014

It's not defamation of character, it's harassment and bullying. Keep emailing exact quotes to the admin and also explain about the toxic environment affects you and your coworkers (direct quotes or observations only).

Then the paper trail is created in order to step further into consequences. Continue doing this until things change. You may never see/hear about them getting talked to until one day the MD is either better or gone and you hear that despite many meetings etc they were let go.

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · Jul 19, 2014

this place is a revolving door with nurses and aides.....they have major problems they just wont fix and then lose the good nurses they do have.....they don't care...I threatened to quit one time because I came in to find a new nurse working the floor and I am full time regular on this floor...now...how would you feel coming onto your regular job and find another nurse working and no one talked to you about what was going on......I cant wait till I leave this place...right now I am stuck between living in a state I don't want to be in , in a house I don't want to be in and having a job I hate...so......not much going for me right now.....hopefully my future is much brighter....thanks for all you helpful comments.....I don't think there is any hope for this place at all.....too much going on.

Texas86RN · Jul 20, 2014

Sue??? Sounds a little extravagant! I would speak with your nursing supervisor, have a group meeting , and see if administration would speak to him about it, most problems can be resolved with communication

laKrugRN · Jul 20, 2014

I don't think you can sue hun. But take it up with management, HR, SOMEBODY! Get the group of you who have been harassed. good luck! Keep us posted.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Jul 20, 2014

Does your employee handbook, or P & P address employee conduct? You stated he is an employee, so he is held to that standard.

As suggested, go through the proper channels, as a group.

You appear to be going through a lot of distress right now, both on and off the job; not having control over different facets of your life. I think you need to talk about this with someone other than a bunch of internet strangers. If your company offers an Employee Assistance Program, I'd recommend giving them a call. It's free, confidential, and may help you sort through these things.

Good Luck

SeattleJess · Jul 20, 2014

Lumbarpain, you need to be very, very gentle with yourself right now. When the victim of bullying starts to show signs of stress, loses it and begins to unravel, SHE becomes the identified problem. And to be fair, if you let yourself get to that point, you are a problem. Do whatever you need to take care of yourself first so you can act from a place of calm. Get some help from your union, a counselor, a good masseuse, explore all your options and TAKE CARE OF YOU.

wooh, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2014

In the eyes of management, MDs make facilities money. Nurses cost money.

So even when the victim of bullying, crying "bully" isn't going to help in a lot of cases. This is one of them.

You're going to have to learn to deal with him.

Stay calm. Don't take any of it personally (why would you, if he's that way with everyone, it's OBVIOUSLY NOT personal.)

Generally, if they know they can't get under your skin, they stop trying. So above all else, stay calm.

If you can come up with a few snarky retorts, all the better.

"Don't you know this?" Well if I did, I wouldn't have called you. "I shouldn't have to train you." Well, that's the problem with you being so much smarter than the rest of us.

"Shouldn't you have messaged me about this?" But sir, I wanted the chance to tell you personally, over the phone, because I love talking to you!

Above all else, stay calm and don't take it personally.

Threatening a group lawsuit is just going to get YOU in trouble with administration.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 21, 2014

Threatening to sue (or actually doing so) is going to cause big problems for you, and the physician will probably come through unscathed. Seriously, you want to sue? Truly bad idea.

This behavior should have been addressed the very first time it happened. You teach people how to treat you by how you allow them to treat you. Snarky retorts aren't the answer for everyone; if you cannot pull it off, don't even try. It can easily back fire on you. I've had good luck with snarky retorts, but only when they're totally spontaneous and unplanned . . . .

"I'll be happy to discuss Mrs. PoopsaLot with you when you're able to converse calmly and without screaming or profanity."

"Please call me back when you've had an opportunity to calm down." Then hang up. If he calls again, hang up again. I once heard a senior nurse say into the phone, "Dr. ImaFlamingDonkeyButt, I just want to let you know that someone with an anger issue is answering pages from your practice. When I paged him to let him know about Mrs. TKA's INR of 6.8, he screamed and cursed at me. I'm so glad YOU called me back instead of that guy. I don't know who he was, but I hope he isn't allowed to return pages anymore until he learns how to speak to me like a professional. I know YOU would never be so unprofessional." Of course we all knew it was Dr. ImaFlamingDonkeyButt who called back and screamed the FIRST time, but after that little speech he was relatively subdued for a few months.

There's no reason to take it personally if he talks to everyone this way. Just don't tolerate it. Problem solved.

nurse4ever08 · Jul 21, 2014

You need to talk to human resources or corporate compliance officer. Have you mentioned to the doctor that he has attitude? Have any patients or visitors heard him and reported it?