Why do nurses get treated like crap? Is it everywhere?

[helikias]

I know from my nurse family members and from postings on here that nurses oftentimes get treated like crap. I have seen it happen myself.

For an example, I was in the hospital with the flu, dehydrated and in need of an IV and Zofran, etc.

This nurse, who had to be one of the nicest people I ever met, put in the IV so quickly and easily, and just made me feel better by how caring she was! She helped me to the bathroom, and just really cared. I talked to her a little and found out she had a BSN and ER was her dream job.

Later, she was told by Doc 1, who was mad at me for taking anti-diarhea (sp?) medicine at home to draw blood for tests. So, anyway, the nurse goes to draw blood as ordered. Doc 1 leaves the room.

Doc 2, who was also an ***hole, came into the room and almost peed his scrubs that she was drawing my blood. He glances at my chart and declares I have gastritis. He tells the nurse to stop all the tests.

She had just slid the needle and vial in my arm, so she was taking it out, which takes a couple of seconds since the vial was half-full of blood. Doc 2 looks over and says in this loud, patronizing tone, "Melissa, I said STOP the TESTS" like she was an idiot!

She was so nice, she just said, "OK, doctor." She did not even try to defend herself.

Geez, what was she supposed to do, YANK the works out of my arm and give me a nice big bruise? Say a magic chant to make my blood stop flowing into the vial?

Anyway, is it like that everywhere? I still want to be a nurse, and frankly, I am used to this type of treatment, but I am hoping there may be some places where it does not happen all the time.

I have also noticed that NP's seem to get treated better, is that true?

[AmazingGracie]

Traditionally nurses are female. And females are by nautre submissive. Traditionally doctors are male. And males by nature are dominating. We are genetically predisopsed to these personality traits. The nurse/doctor relationship is not only influenced by nature, but by enculturation. I've practiced many years and have noticed nurses in many cases don't even realize they are being disrespected. Just understand, if you do go into nursing that you will have the experience of being demeaned by a doctor at one point or another. It will then be your responsibility to assert your right to be respected. Remember what Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can do anything to you that you don't allow. Indeed, these are valuable words.

In the scenario you describe, I would have continued to draw the lab work ignoring Dr. #2. After completing the draw, I would have spoken to him away from you(the patient). I would then clearly state to the good doctor that I had an order to do the draw from Dr. #1. If he has an issue, discuss it with that Dr. I would then tell him, he is never to speak to me like that in the future. And experience has shown me after candid discussions with MD's, I am treated with greater dignity. If nurses are treated this way, we can only blame ourselves. I can tell you, I do not get this type of treatment from any doctor, or for that matter antoher nurse.

Hope this will help you. Good luck in your future!

[oldnurse newnurse]

Generally, yes. But its not the treatment from doctors or other nurses that should determine if you follow you dreams of becoming a nurse. I've been in the field for 12 years and have seen good and bad treatment of nurses; which comes from other nurses, doctors, and family members of patients but the gratification that comes from a patient and seeing a patient improves outweighs all of the mistreatment I've encountered, so yes its common but sad to say. Hopefully the profession stigma will change, "Nurses eat their young". Hopefully sooner than better.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

That doctor was still standing up comfortably?

Had I been there, probably not.

[tewdles, RN]

You often make me smile with your quick wit...JoPACURN

[BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I think people will treat us the way we allow them to,..especially co workers. I have put up with some really cranky, nasty people, as patients. Non of my co workers would treat me like that more than once!

[webmansx, ASN, RN]

:yeah:

That doctor was still standing up comfortably?

Had I been there, probably not.

[helikias]

Thanks, everyone! The sad part of it is, I was really doped up and could not speak right, or I would have told the doctor where to go myself. LOL, "still standing up comfortably" !!!

[t2krookie]

Actualy we all have different experiences and the treatment you described is in no way common at least here in the metroplex at the locations I have worked(Metro , Presby Dallas , Medical City) though I'm sure it has happened at one time or another. I find "most" of the abuse comes from the middle management "Nurses" and peers. They are so used to biting and scratching each other it is pitiful.

The Docs for the most part are respectful if not warm and fuzzy. I recently left ER for greener pastures while back in school but I can tell ya there is no more satisfying practice than in the ED from my perspective. It is a wonderful career and the most flexable schedualing I had ever had. Don't let that bad example shy you away from nursing. We are appreciated but at times we are our own worst enemy.

[helikias]

Actualy we all have different experiences and the treatment you described is in no way common at least here in the metroplex at the locations I have worked(Metro , Presby Dallas , Medical City) though I'm sure it has happened at one time or another. I find "most" of the abuse comes from the middle management "Nurses" and peers. They are so used to biting and scratching each other it is pitiful.

The Docs for the most part are respectful if not warm and fuzzy. I recently left ER for greener pastures while back in school but I can tell ya there is no more satisfying practice than in the ED from my perspective. It is a wonderful career and the most flexable schedualing I had ever had. Don't let that bad example shy you away from nursing. We are appreciated but at times we are our own worst enemy.

Thank you!! That was very encouraging. I appreciate you taking the time to post this.

[summersent]

I don't understand why she didn't stand up for herself. She just took the treatment....

The doctor was wrong but she should have gotten her power and dignity back.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

I encountered a respiratory therapist one day at work, and mentioned to him that my husband was thinking about becoming an RT as a career. I made a joke that my husband would not want to be a nurse because nurse's are crazy (in that we stick out a constantly changing environment).

The respiratory therapist made the comment (in front of my patient) that nurses are way too submissive, that's why they become them. Now here's the thing, I would have told him off about it because of how negative it was and completely inappropriate in front of the patient, but it would be lower to his level.

We're not more submissive, we just have far more class.