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Discussion

Working closely with Doctors

I have been in the nursing field for 11yrs. I started as a CNA in LTC and received my LPN in 2007. I continued to work in LTC until 2009. I started working at a doctors office (internal medicine/infectious disease). The doctor and I work well together. Last June I had a baby and took about 7 weeks off total. While I was on maternity leave I got several calls and text from the other nurses at the office. They could not wait till I returned bc the Dr.doesnt like the way anyone else does my job the whole time they heard that's not the way "nurse613" does this and I can't wait till she comes back. Luckily the other nurses I work with and I all get along well and are not jealous by that.

While I'm flattered that he prefers to work with me, in the last year his neediness has increased and I can barely be out of his sight. This can be stressful especially if I have to be out for any reason. I'm begged by my co workers to come in bc he will be mean to the other nurses. We do all sorts of procedures, wound care, infusions, and a lot of blood work in the office. We have a fully accredited lab and run most of our blood in house.

When he comes out of a patients room and I'm not in sight he will freak gets mad at the other nurse when she tries to help. For the most part i try to be available to him but I'm more experienced with blood draws and ivs so when there is a hard stick I usually have to do it.

Has anyone been in this situation? What can I do to make it easier on my coworkers and I?

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    Sounds to me like the old DOC there needs to take a chill pill. He's use to depending on you and when you can't be there (which it's impossible to be available 24/7) he throws his little temper tantrums, he needs to have a little faith in the other nurses after all they wouldn't be working there if they were incapable of doing their jobs

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    How old is this doctor and how long has he been in practice? Is there an associate in the practice? Maybe he should be thinking retirement or getting a partner?

    His 'neediness' (your word) of you bespeaks much of his overdependence on you. You are not the partner. And while you have a good relationship with your peers/coworkers, that may not last long when they keep on being underappreciated.

    If this be the root of this problem, I don't have any idea how to remedy it. Sounds like he's been spoiled. You may have to start distancing yourself because you don't want to be an enabler. It's tough when you have a very close GO-TO relationship with a doc.

    Maybe you could start sharing your routines with your peers?

    Good luck!

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    Stop stepping in for your colleagues. They need to learn how to work with this doctor and how to be proficient at procedures. You shouldn't be coming in just because they can't cope.

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    He is in his late 40's no where near close to retiring. I have shared all my "secrets" with my coworkers it hasn't really helped much:/ he is the only dr in the practice now he took it over about2 yrs ago when the other 2 drs retired. He is very spoiled. I do a lot for him. We started the practice at the same time too so idk if that maybe why he is most comfortable with me.

    Im hoping someone else may have this situation?

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    Yes I've had that situation. It is perfectly normal for someone to prefer to work with another person who enables them to be as effective at their jobs as they can. This is especially true for doctors. The better you are at your job, the more they will value you.

    I transferred from one branch of a clinic to another and the doctor I worked with flipped out and loaded me up with guilt trips. But eventually he found someone he was happy with.

    I'm a little unclear about what you are asking advice for exactly? Are you saying your personal boundaries are being crossed? Since this is his practice and he chooses to create strife in his own office staff I don't see where there is anything you can do about it.

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    No I don't feel like boundaries are being crossed. I just don't know if someone may have advice on how to handle him being difficult to my coworkers...I also have a 1 yr old so sometimes I do need time off without feeling guilty I'm in my late 20's and my husband and I will be trying for our 2nd baby in about a year. I don't wanna feel bad every time I'm not there.

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    • Experts
    He is in his late 40's no where near close to retiring. I have shared all my "secrets" with my coworkers it hasn't really helped much:/ he is the only dr in the practice now he took it over about2 yrs ago when the other 2 drs retired. He is very spoiled. I do a lot for him. We started the practice at the same time too so idk if that maybe why he is most comfortable with me.

    Im hoping someone else may have this situation?

    The situation will not improve as long as you continue to enable the doctor and your co-workers.

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    It is hard to stop feeling guilty - but ironically it is flattering because it means you are good at your job. I really enjoyed the teamwork of my jobs working one on one with various doctors and specialties. I did feel guilt pangs when I chose what was best for my life and try to explain that but the alternative is giving away decision-making power to another which leads to resentment.

    The only other bit of advice I can give is that you train the other nurses how he likes things done as thoroughly as you can.

    I know it probably sounds corny but the reality is that his relationship with your co-workers can only be effectively worked out between them and him. Best wishes it sounds like you've got your hands full! i_smile.gif

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    • Author

    Thank you :)

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