6 replies to this topic

[jan/spn]

I am new to this site and also a student. I was reading some of your postings and happened upon one with this topic. I thought - good reading for a student. I thought that one nurse handled the situation well when she talked with the dr. outside in the hall and explained (in short) that the pts. and family must trust the nurses, etc.

My question is do you think female drs. are tougher on nurses?

[3boyzmom]

Good observation/question! Sometimes they are. I'm sure it's their feeling the need to be seen as a "doctor" and not be treated as a "pal" by nurses. That part is only fair, really, because if someone doesn't set professional boundaries they run the risk of getting taken advantage of by people thinking they don't mean business. Don't mean that to sound derogatory to us nurses, but I've seen it, nurses tend to want to be pals with female docs in a way they don't with the males, and the same level of respect is not always there. However, that said, some female docs carry it a little overboard- I know a couple who are sort of - well- tyrants. They yell and carry on something awful about small things; never smile or make eye contact, etc. But I do also know some who are able to be friendly but also quite professional. I'm in a smaller city, though, where there aren't that many female docs altogether. It's weird to be at a hospital in a really large city and see young female docs all over the place. It's good- but weird because I'm not used to it yet.

[mattsmom]

I've known several female docs who were horrid, very arrogant. Perhaps it is overcompensation, as we see in women in executive roles sometimes (we see it in some nursing executives too.)

As a rule I've found female docs as a group to be more human, and prefer them as my personal physicians. but this isn't a fair generalization, just my own experience.

I try neverto impinge on my professional relationships with docs...but I HAVE seen nurses (and patients) who strive to become too familiar towards female docs, and cross some lines. If a female is too familiar it can be misinterpreted...in any setting...and its true for docs too who needs to keep more professional distance than nurses IMHO.

If a doc is approachable and friendly, I always apreciate that factor; but I look for professionalism as well...some docs will do too much ..err...socializing with the staff and gossip and reputation damage may follow. They self destruct; docs can be a target since they're at the top of the hierarchy, so to speak, in the hospital world. The docs' personal lives are always a great source of hospital gossip, sadly, and the ugly gossip mill is alive and well in many hospitals.

[jan/spn]

Wow, thanks for the replies! I really appreciate the input as I begin to feel my way around this business - thanks again.

[NursetillaTheHun]

It is the balance between being liked, being professional and being a good doctor.

I work on a surgical unit. When I first started nursing (2 years ago) I had some favourite doctors. They were funny, witty, excellent with comforting patients and got along with the nurses well. There were the other doctors that were demanding and arrogant.

After working on the unit for 6 month and treating their patients, I was shocked that my initial assessment was way off sometimes. The best surgeons weren't always the one that people 'liked' the most. Who I would let operate on me (respected basically), once their skills were put to the test of how the patients actually healed after, changed dramatically. (Of course some doctors were just rude and horrible and others nice and excellent. There is no formula.)

The same thing went with the nurses I worked with as well. One nurse I work with drives me insane BUT she is an amazing nurse and I know her skills are worthy to be trusted.

I completely agree with Mattsmon that professionalism is key. In my own nursing practice, I still have alot to learn about acting professional myself. The nurse that jan/spn was talking about in the first post is a example of excellent professional behaviour.

[NawlinsGirl]

HI,

I WORKED IN A TRAUMA UNIT AND MY OBSERVATION TO YOUR QUESTION IS, FEMALE SURGEONS WERE MUCH MORE ARROGANT AND AGGRESSIVE TO NURSES. I QUESTIONED ONE FEMALE SURGEON AND SHE HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND THE REASON WHY, THEY HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO PROVE THAN MALE DRS IN ORDER TO GAIN RESPECT FROM OTHER DRS AND NURSES. SHE USED THE "GOOD OLD BOY " PHRASE TO EXPLAIN WHAT SHE WAS DEALING WITH. SHE TOLD ME THAT THE MALE DRS MADE IT SO MUCH HARDER FOR THE FEMALE DRS TO EXCEL AND THEREFORE THEY HAD TO EXHIBIT AN OVER ABUNDANCE OF AUTHORITY TOWARDS MALE DRS AND ALL NURSES TO GAIN THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE. I THINKSOMETIMES WE HAVE TO LOOK PAST THE BEHAVIOR ONE IS DISPLAYING AND LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE TO REALLY UNDERSTAND A PERSON.

NAWLINSGIRL

[mattsmom]

Everyone adds valid points. Some of the most arrogant docs I have worked with really do suffer from deep seated fears. One cardiologist who can be quite surly...does so because he is afraid...mostly to be left alone in a critical patient's presence without a nurse present!!! One of my coworkers recognized this and it caused me to reevaluate him. Sure enough, when I made a point of never leaving him alone with a critical patient and call out for another nurse to fetch another cutdown tray, etc, vs leaving him... he responded favorably!! He apparently feels unable to cope alone....and doesn't know how to ask for help. Strange huh?