Nursing

In the know: Learn to disagree with the physician

Stressed Out Nurses Weekly, August 18, 2008

Studies show that a gut feeling usually happens because, at some point in the past, a similar sequence of events unfolded and ended in a bad outcome. So even though just a few clinical events may have happened, your subconscious mind is much more attuned than you think Trust your instincts.

If you disagree with the physician:

  1. Reassess and recommunicate. Ask another nurse for his or her opinion. Make sure you clearly state your rationale to the physician.
  2. Check in with the charge nurse and ask for his or her opinion. If the charge nurse also disagrees, perhaps he or she can call the physician back and be an advocate. Listen to how he or she handles this conversation.
  3. Follow the chain of command. The person above the doctor is the chief of the area, then the medical director for the hospital. And if this is an end-of-life issue, the ethics committee can be very supportive.

Source: Stressed Out About Communication Skills, HCPro, Inc., 2007. Pick up your copy today!

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