Your embarrassing questions

Zookeeper3 · Jul 21, 2012

Its a medical floor that may or may not take surgical patients. The primary doctors are in a residency program. They have a MD license, but need their training as intern, resident and specialty. They have supervising docs whom I assure you, you will be speaking to as these docs are in a learning phase.

I have taught these guys a ton only to have to re-teach them three years later not to dare get an attitude with me. Its great because there is always a doctor in house. Its a struggle because they are slow to make decisions, check with the resident for everything and you have to spoon feed them sometimes.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2012

um, that would be ... always.

"mrs. smith, dr. newbie here is going to take out your chest tube. i'm going to explain it to you so you'll know what he is going to do." (newbie is nodding frantically in the background out of mrs. smith's eyesight.)

"first he's going to cut the sutures around the tube down here, so he has long tails to hold. then i'll have you take a deep breath, hold it, and blow it out as he pulls the tube out. it will be very fast and it will hurt a bit but then stop. then he'll tie the suture tight and i'll put on a bandaid, and you're all done. i'll explain it while he's doing it to help you remember." (newbie nods vigorously again.)

"ok, mrs. smith, here we go. dr. newbie is going to cut the sutures... " :smokin:

FORTHELOVEOF!!!! · Jul 22, 2012

Its a struggle because they are slow to make decisions, check with the resident for everything and you have to spoon feed them sometimes.

This is no joke! Always have a plan of action in case the resident says "what do you think we should do" This happens multiple times per day, especially this time of year because they are all new residents! Or for some that don't want to bluntly ask what you think, this is always the best line "SO and so is having an issue with something, do you think it would be a good idea if we did this and that and follow up after a certain time frame?" That puts the ball in their court to make the decision but you have given them the info, saves their pride and you usually get what you want! Plus if it's something that has to be o.k.'d by the attending, then it makes them look smart when they give the info you gave them, again, saves their pride and usually they are the doctor's later in life that have immense respect for nurses. Just my experience of course.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 23, 2012

if you work in a teaching unit, or a teaching hospital, part of your job is to educate brand new docs. or, as an old preceptor told me, "your job is to keep the residents from killing the patients." truly, it is. it's very rewarding, and we have an influence on the relationship these docs will have with nurses for the rest of their careers.

pockunit, ADN, RN · Jul 23, 2012

Thanks, guys! I just submitted the application. It actually does sound like it could be a Very Interesting floor to work on. Not that I'd turn down any of the floors I applied to, of course. But I find I learn better when I have a chance to talk things through, so getting to do that with people who are also learning is really, *really* appealing.

Also, I find it hard to believe I'm the only one on this board who has questions like that that they have been afraid to ask.

PEOPLE! Y U NO AX QUESTIONS???

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 23, 2012

thanks, guys! i just submitted the application. it actually does sound like it could be a very interesting floor to work on. not that i'd turn down any of the floors i applied to, of course. but i find i learn better when i have a chance to talk things through, so getting to do that with people who are also learning is really, *really* appealing.
also, i find it hard to believe i'm the only one on this board who has questions like that that they have been afraid to ask.
people! y u no ax questions???

i started out on a teaching medical floor, and have been involved in teaching throughout my career. one thing to remember is that you have to be willing to ask questions and advocate for your patient. it really is up to you to keep the resident from harming your patient through ignorance, so you have to know your stuff. you also have to be able to gently instruct or guide the resident. it's a challenge. july is a particularly dangerous time in teaching units!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2012

if you work in a teaching unit, or a teaching hospital, part of your job is to educate brand new docs. or, as an old preceptor told me, "your job is to keep the residents from killing the patients." truly, it is. it's very rewarding, and we have an influence on the relationship these docs will have with nurses for the rest of their careers.

like carla and jd on scrubs. i love teaching. most of the time. sometimes it's frustrating, but since i'm always learning, how could i begrudge sharing my knowledge with others? i teach residents, coworkers, patients, families, nursing students shadowing with me (or my coworkers who are less enthusiastic about teaching).

anotherone, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2012

I work in a teaching hospital on a med/surg floor and like other posters describe the good thing is that there are always drs around. The bad part is that they do not always know what to do and neither will you especially if you are a new nurse or new to that field. Another good thing I have experienced with clinicals and work at teaching hospitals is that the residents are usually pretty willing to explain or teach you things. Although my experience in community/non teaching hospitals was limited to being a student. I have had drs ask , " what do you usually do in these situations?" and I have replied , " page the dr.....sometimes they order this test or that test..............."