Doctors versus Nurses

[DntStopBelievin]

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Many want to become doctors because they love to take control, solve problems and ultimately diagnose and treat patients. Great prime time tv shows like Grey's Anatomy show this. However, there is a new tv series called Mercy on NBC which shows a nurse in control and saving lives. The nurse in this show goes on to say "we keep the doctors from killing you" when a patient asks "what are you nurses good for?" Here's a link to watch the clip:
http://www.nbc.com/mercy/video/clips/preview-clips/1095428/

What do you think of the nurse in the show Mercy? What do you think of the nurse-doctor relationship?

 

[TexasFight]

Nurses play an important role in healthcare, we wouldn't have modern care without them. However, that role isn't diagnosing patients and having the last say. I don't think they are the leaders of a health care team.

 

[greatnt249]

What do you think of the nurse in the show Mercy?

Pathetic.

 

[Mace1370]

That show looks awful.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Many want to become doctors because they love to take control, solve problems and ultimately diagnose and treat patients. Great prime time tv shows like Grey's Anatomy show this. However, there is a new tv series called Mercy on NBC which shows a nurse in control and saving lives. The nurse in this show goes on to say "we keep the doctors from killing you" when a patient asks "what are you nurses good for?" Here's a link to watch the clip:
http://www.nbc.com/mercy/video/clips/preview-clips/1095428/

What do you think of the nurse in the show Mercy? What do you think of the nurse-doctor relationship?

 

[TexasPhysician]

Horrible spin-off.....

 

[DntStopBelievin]

I think its interesting that those who want to become doctors don't like the show and I see why, she is a very arrogant nurse but then again house MD is a very arrogant doctor. It's also interesting because many nurses love this new show Mercy because its almost like nurses are being noticed for their hard work and contribution to the medical field.
If you think the show is bad or pathetic, why?

 

[bamtuba]

I think its interesting that those who want to become doctors don't like the show and I see why, she is a very arrogant nurse but then again house MD is a very arrogant doctor. It's also interesting because many nurses love this new show Mercy because its almost like nurses are being noticed for their hard work and contribution to the medical field.
If you think the show is bad or pathetic, why?

Bad writing and poor acting.

 

[greatnt249]

If you think the show is bad or pathetic, why?

On top of what bamtuba said, these shows depict nurses with a professional autonomy that they simply don't have in real life. "We keep the doctors from killing patients"? Yeah, right.🙄 Granted, they might point out the occasional slip-up or confusing order, but acting as if they are always going around fixing the mistakes doctors make is just laughable, on top of the quote "I know more about medicine than all the residents here combined."

Mind you, I'm not saying doctors don't make mistakes; however, demeaning the role of the physician and uplifting the nurse as the savior of the patient is just ridiculous.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

On top of what bamtuba said, these shows depict nurses with a professional autonomy that they simply don't have in real life. "We keep the doctors from killing patients"? Yeah, right.🙄 Granted, they might point out the occasional slip-up or confusing order, but acting as if they are always going around fixing the mistakes doctors make is just laughable, on top of the quote "I know more about medicine than all the residents here combined."

Mind you, I'm not saying doctors don't make mistakes; however, demeaning the role of the physician and uplifting the nurse as the savior of the patient is just ridiculous.

more often than one would think..

but yea. the premise stinks. but so does that of shows like ER, Grey's and such where nurses are invisible. but no one seems to be too up in arms about that here.. not very surprising.

 

[devilpup]

Michelle Trachtenberg is in the main cast... worth a watch.

 

[greatnt249]

more often than one would think..

but yea. the premise stinks. but so does that of shows like ER, Grey's and such where nurses are invisible. but no one seems to be too up in arms about that here.. not very surprising.

I'm not saying nurses aren't important, but giving them (or anyone) a role in a drama series that they don't fulfill in real life, especially a role that supersedes their level of expertise, is ridiculous.

 

[TRN1983]

I think its interesting that those who want to become doctors don't like the show and I see why, she is a very arrogant nurse but then again house MD is a very arrogant doctor. It's also interesting because many nurses love this new show Mercy because its almost like nurses are being noticed for their hard work and contribution to the medical field.
If you think the show is bad or pathetic, why?

House is an a-hole. That's why he's funny.

Mercy is a bunch of nurses pretending they're doctors and doctors are idiots. That's stupid. Nurses are gonna love it because it's ego-stroking for the ones who aren't quite bright enough to realize how ridiculous it looks when the TV nurses say stupid stuff like they do on Mercy.

Is it so much to ask for people just to simply know their role?

As an aside, I'm sure people could make a perfectly good nursing show that isn't about how nurses >>> doctors. But, for some reason (read: lawyer in chief of the good 'ol US of A) it's become very popular to elevate nurses and stomp on physicians lately. It's frankly gone beyond annoying.

I have respect for the role that everybody plays in life (sans government officials and several forms of lawyer) from the little chihuahua serving me at Taco Bell to the CEO of Jack in the Box (nurses/cna/etc included), and I treat them all respectfully. But, I'm not going to support or ignore the stupid stuff they do.

 

[DntStopBelievin]

I'm not saying nurses aren't important, but giving them (or anyone) a role in a drama series that they don't fulfill in real life, especially a role that supersedes their level of expertise, is ridiculous.

A lot of what goes on in the medical dramas aren't like real life...for example, how often doctors and nurses run off into some storage closet to have a quickie? The way I see it, the nurse in the show has issues with the way the hospital (doctors included) operates but doesn't deal with it well (and so she says comments that are out of line). I don't think she is trying to play doctor, i think she just likes to point out all the wrong things (which is dumb unless you have a solution for them). She points out doctors that are being jerks and some doctors are (i've had doctors who just treated me like a paycheck).
I think most are mad at the fact the nurse steps out of line and rather than being a good nurse and following orders, she questions and demands things to run smoothly.
I think the show is insulting to doctors because you do not see yourself that way (as a doctor who needs a nurse to point out mistakes or an insensitive doctor). Every doctor and nurse is different.
TV wouldn't be fun to watch unless it struck a nerve or two. I mean do you really want to watch a show in which everything went happy go lucky? If you want true to life watch those documentary shows like Trauma in the ER.

 

[TRN1983]

A lot of what goes on in the medical dramas aren't like real life...for example, how often doctors and nurses run off into some storage closet to have a quickie?

That's what drama is... that kind of crap. Giving the public a false impression of what nurses are qualified to do is something entirely different.

Think about it this way: we're in the middle of a health reform debate. One of the big issues is cost, and cost cutting. How can we afford to put everyone on the public bill? Well, the nurses and the democrats are mighty close... they'd be happy to give the nurses a hell of a lot of autonomy to save a few bucks. After all, politicians will always get the best medical care and many of them really don't care if some people have to suffer for the "greater good" (i.e. sick people suffer and die while happy people are happy to be insured). If people constantly see on TV that nurses are essentially underpaid physicians they'll start to believe and won't throw a hissy fit and scream at their representative when they should.

 

[tjaze]

House is an a-hole. That's why he's funny.

Mercy is a bunch of nurses pretending they're doctors and doctors are idiots. That's stupid. Nurses are gonna love it because it's ego-stroking for the ones who aren't quite bright enough to realize how ridiculous it looks when the TV nurses say stupid stuff like they do on Mercy.

Is it so much to ask for people just to simply know their role?

As an aside, I'm sure people could make a perfectly good nursing show that isn't about how nurses >>> doctors. But, for some reason (read: lawyer in chief of the good 'ol US of A) it's become very popular to elevate nurses and stomp on physicians lately. It's frankly gone beyond annoying.

I have respect for the role that everybody plays in life (sans government officials and several forms of lawyer) from the little chihuahua serving me at Taco Bell to the CEO of Jack in the Box (nurses/cna/etc included), and I treat them all respectfully. But, I'm not going to support or ignore the stupid stuff they do.

amen

 

[bamtuba]

House is an a-hole. That's why he's funny.

Mercy is a bunch of nurses pretending they're doctors and doctors are idiots. That's stupid. Nurses are gonna love it because it's ego-stroking for the ones who aren't quite bright enough to realize how ridiculous it looks when the TV nurses say stupid stuff like they do on Mercy.

Is it so much to ask for people just to simply know their role?

As an aside, I'm sure people could make a perfectly good nursing show that isn't about how nurses >>> doctors. But, for some reason (read: lawyer in chief of the good 'ol US of A) it's become very popular to elevate nurses and stomp on physicians lately. It's frankly gone beyond annoying.

I have respect for the role that everybody plays in life (sans government officials and several forms of lawyer) from the little chihuahua serving me at Taco Bell to the CEO of Jack in the Box (nurses/cna/etc included), and I treat them all respectfully. But, I'm not going to support or ignore the stupid stuff they do.

Not that I disagree with you, but after so many posts someone finally took the bait.

 

[njbmd]

Many want to become doctors because they love to take control, solve problems and ultimately diagnose and treat patients. Great prime time tv shows like Grey's Anatomy show this. However, there is a new tv series called Mercy on NBC which shows a nurse in control and saving lives. The nurse in this show goes on to say "we keep the doctors from killing you" when a patient asks "what are you nurses good for?" Here's a link to watch the clip:
http://www.nbc.com/mercy/video/clips/preview-clips/1095428/

What do you think of the nurse in the show Mercy? What do you think of the nurse-doctor relationship?

Dude/Dudette, don't base your perceptions of medicine on what you see on the telly. It's entertainment (and poor entertainment at that) and thus nothing could be further from reality. Turn off the tube and your mind won't be gel.

 

[Disinence2]

My opinion;

This show is designed to encourage more young adults to enter the field of nursing during this current shortage.

 

[greatnt249]

A lot of what goes on in the medical dramas aren't like real life...for example, how often doctors and nurses run off into some storage closet to have a quickie?

If you read my post at all, "realism" in this sense is not what I have a problem with. Saying that a nurse needs to "know his/her place" does not mean never questioning anything the almighty physician orders. I take issue with these shows depicting nurses in roles superseding their expertise and belittling the role of the physician as if he/she tends to play an antagonistic role in the healthcare system.

If you want true to life watch those documentary shows like Trauma in the ER.

I do; I would much prefer watching those shows over the crap they put on TV these days.

 

[Near]

Eh, I saw the preview and I'm not impressed. Here's another quote "I'm a nurse. Who knows more than all of your residents combined"

 

[MacdaddyDaniels]

If anybody has seen Nurse Jackie it is a similar idea but it seems a little more realistic. She is clearly higher up the food chain then the doctor just out of med school, which from what i hear isn't uncommon in real life for a good nurse, but is also a subordinate to the other doctors with experience

 

[CoolWhipp]

Just like what my roommate loves to stock up on... a bunch of bologna.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

hahahahahhaha wtf

Doctor: "I treat the disease."
Nurse: "I TREAT THE PATIENT"

*sex session ensues*

A+ television in the making 👍


also, why was she so bitchy to that young hot nurse who just got her masters 🙁

 

[adeline]

also, why was she so bitchy to that young hot nurse who just got her masters 🙁

Rank.

masters >>>>>>>>>>>> rn/bsn

*never seen show, won't be watching*

 

[PamIsHorny]

Some of the TV portrayals are silly, but occasionally they are not that far off. Unfortunately, the nurse attitude ("I will save you from the doctor") in these shows is spot on for some nurses. Some are just anygry despite having a great paying job and cushy work hours. If you have a bad relationship with the nurses, they can make your life very tough.

You will also find the kind, caring, and smart nurses that will help you tremendously during residency. As a resident, I have found that going out of my way to be nice and social with nurses has made my life so much better. Fellow residents that don't get along with the nurses have a variety of complaints: Nurses page intentionally when the resident is trying to get sleep in order to get an order signed (or dated or timed or some other non urgent issue), nurses do refuse to fill orders when they don't think they are necessary or they are not feeling like getting up. To the pre-meds out there, realize that it is almost impossible to fire a nurse at a state facility and they know it. Short of having 5 people witnessing the nurse attempting to smother a pt with a pillow, there's no way the nurse is getting reprimanded if a resident has issues with him/her. Their lobbying organizations have been very successful at passing legislation that requires huge numbers of nurses. This has created much more of a "shortage" than we really have.

Oh yeah...NP's already see patients without the oversight of physicians. They call themselves doctors because they have a doctorate in nursing. This trend is on the rise. Keep that in mind when you feel that it is completely unrealistic to see nurses making medical decisions. If we expand healthcare to millions without increasing the number of PCPs, nurses and PAs will begin to run primary care.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Rank.

masters >>>>>>>>>>>> rn/bsn

*never seen show, won't be watching*

LOL. no

 

[TopSecret]

that show looks awful.

+1

 

[RogueUnicorn]

+1

+2



ps. hey look you're posting in the daytime.🙂

 

[greatnt249]

They call themselves doctors because they have a doctorate in nursing.

To introduce themselves as "doctor" to a patient in a clinical setting is misleading, and they know it. On top of that, the whole notion of treating nurses nice because they can make your life hell otherwise is ridiculous; just because they're unionized doesn't give them a free ride in demanding respect when they haven't earned it. Respect goes both ways.

 

[PamIsHorny]

To introduce themselves as "doctor" to a patient in a clinical setting is misleading, and they know it. On top of that, the whole notion of treating nurses nice because they can make your life hell otherwise is ridiculous; just because they're unionized doesn't give them a free ride in demanding respect when they haven't earned it. Respect goes both ways.

I agree with everything that you wrote here. It is confusing to the patients to have nurse doctors. I do think respect should go both ways (it usually does).

I am realistic though. NPs are going to play larger and larger roles. They will directly compete with the primary care docs. They will continue to call themselves doctor in clinic. As a resident, don't create any friction. It will never help you, regardless of how right you are.

-pam

 

[VincentAdultman]

To introduce themselves as "doctor" to a patient in a clinical setting is misleading, and they know it. On top of that, the whole notion of treating nurses nice because they can make your life hell otherwise is ridiculous; just because they're unionized doesn't give them a free ride in demanding respect when they haven't earned it. Respect goes both ways.

You should wait until you're a resident and actually have some responsibility. Then you should revisit that statement.

 

[greatnt249]

You should wait until you're a resident and actually have some responsibility. Then you should revisit that statement.

I didn't mean that they deserved to be treated like crap, either. My point was that one shouldn't be expected to act nice merely because the nurses are dangling their good graces over your head. No one has the right to push anyone around like that, especially when patient care suffers as a result.

 

[mvenus929]

To the pre-meds out there, realize that it is almost impossible to fire a nurse at a state facility and they know it. Short of having 5 people witnessing the nurse attempting to smother a pt with a pillow, there's no way the nurse is getting reprimanded if a resident has issues with him/her.

I'm pretty sure one of my coworkers managed to get a nurse fired because she (my coworker) refused to use a syringe full of blood sitting on the end of a patient's bed for a CBC and blood bank, because she didn't watch the nurse draw it (not to mention it was probably already clotted, making using it worthless).

 

[FuturaDocta]

Complete ultimate power!

 

[vickpick]

thats the reason i almost never watch nbc other than merlin, football and olympics..

 

[TopSecret]

You should wait until you're a resident and actually have some responsibility. Then you should revisit that statement.

Yes. Head nurses in particular can make a resident's life particularly miserable. Some nurses can be obnoxious, though. But most of them understand that residents will be attendings one day and there's payback time.

 

[loveoforganic]

Oh yeah...NP's already see patients without the oversight of physicians. They call themselves doctors because they have a doctorate in nursing. This trend is on the rise. Keep that in mind when you feel that it is completely unrealistic to see nurses making medical decisions. If we expand healthcare to millions without increasing the number of PCPs, nurses and PAs will begin to run primary care.

I was under the impression it was illegal to refer to oneself as a doctor in a clinical setting unless you actually held an md/do. Is this incorrect?

 

[TRN1983]

I was under the impression it was illegal to refer to oneself as a doctor in a clinical setting unless you actually held an md/do. Is this incorrect?

Depends on the state. It should be illegal, but the ANA is sneakily trying to graduate their status through legislation and implementation of weak (often online) fluff academic degree's that allow them to go by the title of "Dr"--The Doctor of Nurse Practitioning (DNP). So,unless states put a stop to their nonsense they can run around the hospital calling themselves Dr. So-and-So while patients, ignorant to the deception, suffer. I mean, why not though, right? Everyone in the hospital now gets to look cool like physicians in their cool white coats, why not just call everyone doctor who feels like they've got what it takes?