Rude Doctors

[jenthelen]

As with any situation in which unprofessional behavior occurs - a nurse yelling inappropriately at a tech, a tech belittling a unit secretary, a doc berating a nurse, etc. - it is best to confront the issue with that person. if not, better to speak to management regarding the situation. but, at the end of the day, chances are that the person (whever it may have been) with the awful behavior is most likely never going to change. I have encountered many people at my hospital who are rude, uncaring and mean...and while some of the hostility and bitter comments can be chalked up to a "bad day", more often than not it is just their personality. Best to just let it go...unless it has truly hurt someone and then report it. We cannot make everyone happy - this is a lesson it has taken me a looooong time to learn.

[triagenurse]

I have been a nurse for 19 years. I deal with people from all over the hospital and 99% of the time they are polite and professional. Having said that, I can tell you when I have to call certain physicians to ask if they will accept a transfer, I know who is going to yell and who is going to be nice. In my experience it is not a matter of someone having a bad day. The ones who yell always yell. I wouldn't mention them if it was a one time thing. I am talking about habitual offenders who feel it is their God given right to belittle me as a nurse. You all know who I am talking about. The happy nursing unit suddenly becomes a ghost town when he/she steps into the unit. I know there are always going to be people in certain professions who should not be. I think it is a shame in the medical profession that happens. Doctors and nurses are privy to people's most intimate moments. We are there when people come into the world and we are there when they leave this world. We see them at their worst, when they are sick, hurting and scared. They share secrets about themselves they would never want their families to know and they trust us with that information. Doctors cannot do their job without nurses and we cannot do ours without them. We need to be a team and put the patient first always. Having more education does not make you a superior human being. It is the person who is willing to humble himself that deserves respect.

[Waves8]

I agree with those who feel a generalization of any group is not only inaccurate, but disappointing. While there have been some that were not the friendliest, I have had many positive experiences with numerous doctors.I think that it is important to keep in mind all of the work and stress they are under. They see so many people a day, some who are very ill, and have to treat each of them with the best care that they can provide. If each doctor were to be personally invested in each patient, that would be far too emotionally draining for any person.

[neilybear]

One phrase I use when anyone is disrespectful/rude, etc. in my professional or personal life is, "I don't appreciate it when you speak to me like that". Period. No elaboration, no attitude, just said in an unemotional, factual way. It puts it back in their lap and establishes boundaries. People are usually surprised by the statement, often speechless (to my great amusement, I must admit) and often apologise, to which I say a simple "thank you". No apology back, no saying "that's alright" in response, because it isn't. I've encouraged CNAs to use this phrase, as well, as it's very empowering. There haven't been many people who've repeated the behavior, but if they have, I remind them again. Hope this helps.

[GitanoRN]

Undoubtedly, I will agree to disagree... however, in the medical field you'll find all sorts of characters from all levels within the field, some good nature and others ...well you get the picture. Therefore, we nurses have learned how to address every situation accordingly, and take the good with the bad plus consider the source it came from and move on. Wishing you the very best always...Aloha~

[kinkyhair]

I think it depends on how you interact with folks...doctors, nurses, other staff and patients. When others see how you treat them they will often times warm up to you. We all have bad days, and working in an acute care setting can be stressful for anyone. Granted, you do have folks who have bad attitudes no matter what, and yes, there are some doctors who believe the world revolves around them. But even those kinds of people can temper their moods if you know who to communicate with them. I've had my share of ill treatment from doctors and other colleagues, and I used to let it get to me in my early years. Then I realized one day that if I continue to allow other peoples' bad behavior affect me, I will be just like them and unhappy. I can't control their behaviors but I can certainly control mine. I agree about being firm and standing your ground, but you can do it with quite authority that will earn you much respect....learned that from a colleague. And if you show that you know what you are doing without getting into a power struggle, again, you get respect. Sometimes all someone need is validation. You let a doctor know that you respect his/her opinion as he/she is the one with the training without cowtailing or brown nosing, chances are you will get the respect you are looking for.

No need to yell back or be rude because he/she was rude to you first. If you allow others to get to you like that you will never be happy in your job. You've to got to find some happiness in what you do because nursing can be a stressful job. You can get burned out early in your career if you don't know how to deflect negative energies. Know how to block all that mess out and take care of your mental health.