Comments on: “Learn My Name, Doc!”

By: marko

marko — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:53:51 +0000

I am also RN, and I can just tell you that doctors are just abusing nurses who let them, really it is so simple. I don’t take “crap” from anyone and I am well liked at hospital. I don’t give up my seat to anyone, when doctor is close I actually ask him to help with lifting patient and they help. Really stop kissing doctor’s asses. some of my friends are doctors and the number one reasone doctors have no respect for nurses because of nurses’s behavior. example, “Good morning doc, get seat. and actually doc should say good morning first because he came to floor. Got it? If you think that your humility will help you you are very mistaken of course they will feel sorry for you in the sense but no respect.

By: vic

vic — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:12:15 +0000

I quote here n00bienurse:
“If confronting the doctor in a professional manner does not solve the issue at hand, implement the chain of command. If that still does not solve the issue, then maybe it’s time to find somewhere else to work – somewhere where you will be given the respect you deserve.”

This is EXACTLY the attitude from us nurses that is encouraging the docs to continue mistreating the nurses. Do you think anything is going to get done through the chain of command when the “unprofessional” doc almost slaps you in the face? About time to get a reality check! Why should the nurse have to leave the department? Why does the nurse have to suffer the consequences of someone elses unprofessionalism.

I sincerely believe that as long as there are subservient nurses employed in the profession, the harassment will continue to go on, no matter if you go on to get your MSN or PhD to even the educational plane. How can you expect your nurse manager to stand up for you if you cant stand up for yourself as a nurse?
We as nurses need to realize that we are the physician’s eyes and ears. And if they continue abusing these essential parts, at the end, they will end up losing them. Once they realize that, the disrespect will stop instantaneously. Unless, ofcourse, “some” nurses continue to preach subservience and self humility.
STOP the abuse. Think of your own children. Perhaps, one day, they would want to follow in their parents footsteps, and guess what you would have left behind for them to walk into?

By: Clayton

Clayton — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:50:03 +0000

I think the professional thing to do would be to get the physican what he needed, but after the surgery have a stern chat with him/her about mutual professional respect. Retaliation will only escalate the problem and give nurses a bad reputation. Conflict resolution isn’t about getting even with the physican, it’s about helping the physican to see that as a professional and part of the team nurses deserve respect. Also, the physician should be able to work with the nurse and expect the same mutual respect.

By: n00bienurse

n00bienurse — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:17:09 +0000

…as long as the preference card is kept up to date…

But I agree! Get to know your doctors and at least get an idea of how they operate.

My mother (who’s also an RN) just started working in the OR about a year and a half ago and had a similar issue with a doctor reaming her out because she didn’t have exactly what he wanted for the procedure. Instead of blowing him off and labeling him a jerk, she found his preference card and updated it. As she was doing that, she found many more cards that weren’t up to date what so ever. By updating the cards she not only helped out the other RN’s, but also the doctors.

It’s the difference between being proactive and being reactive.

By: Silver

Silver — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:25:35 +0000

The OR is a tough place. And yes, many surgeons expect you to have taken mindreading 101. A look at a preference card, or a quick question to a nurse experienced in that service will get you much farther than a smart comeback. Not only will you grow your knowledge, but you will be giving better service – to the patient and the doc.

By: cohen312

cohen312 — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:59:48 +0000

I agree with n00bienurse 100%

By: Mr Ian

Mr Ian — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:08:03 +0000

I think, the fear of a Coroners Inquest can do that to some people. In which case, I’d prefer my doc didn’t know my name.

By: steubified

steubified — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:43:36 +0000

“I was simply saying that one should not stoop to a similar level.” –noobienurse
I totally agree, not in just this situation, but in most situations. I’ve seen some extremely distasteful and disrespectful things said on the floor by doctors towards nurses, students, IV team, respiratory, anybody. I’ve also seen snide comments in return by the nurses and others towards the doctors. Watching/listening to this turns the floor/OR/whatever into an arena for a catfight where the patient and everyone else is a spectator who has no choice but to become victim to the tension created. Unacceptable! No matter who you are!

By: n00bienurse

n00bienurse — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:21:42 +0000

Thank you for clarifying. This is a very touchy topic. I never intended to suggest that it is okay for any sort of abuse to take place – whether in the home or on the job. In fact, it is never okay to allow someone to do such a thing.

I was simply saying that one should not stoop to a similar level. You can demand professional respect while still remaining professional.

If confronting the doctor in a professional manner does not solve the issue at hand, implement the chain of command. If that still does not solve the issue, then maybe it’s time to find somewhere else to work – somewhere where you will be given the respect you deserve.

And to answer your question about my age and how long I have been a nurse, I’m 22 and I have been an RN since this past December. I don’t think that is entirely relevant. I was brought up to know that respect is a basic human right and that in order to earn respect, one must show respect and that disrespect should not be tolerated.

By: lizzybeth

lizzybeth — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:07:03 +0000

My point is that ‘taking the higher road’ isnt getting us anywhere. Its pretty much what nurses have been instructed to do for decades. Granted we get more respect with younger Doc’s as a rule but disrespect should never be tolerated. Would we suggest that ‘yes its wrong that your husband smacked you but for the sake of the children present or tempers were just high…’ Or put racial intolerance in that place.
I should not have singled you out. As I reread the comments I note that the other two comments fueled my indignance and I misinterpreted your final response.