Got treated like scum by Lab Techs?

[cbc]

I just want to say, I have had the worst experience with a lab tech. She runs an ultrasound machine and I'm supposed to be in there observing. Not only did I get scolded for bringing my coffee in the room at 8am (I was just going to drink a few sips in the corner of the dark ultrasound room because I was tired as hell completing a huge assignment the night before), but she pretends like I don't exist and never explain to me anything about the ultrasound while she's doing it. On the other hand, she's completely nice to the patients and residents.

And please explain this to me, how come these techs get to wear the long coats? They bust out with a few medical terminology because they know everything about this one little machine after 3 months training from some tech institute, act like they know a whole bunch more than me so can treat me like dirt, and prance around with their long coats. On the other hand, if I gave her an EKG, or a psych case, she wouldn't know squat. What the hell is wrong with this picture?

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[Seaglass]

Actually many sonographers have a 4 year degree in US, so it is far from a correspondence course. It could be that she just doesn't like you because you have a chip on your shoulder.

 

[cbc]

No, I don't even say anything in there. I don't ask questions. It's just quiet. Outside the ultrasound room, I don't say anything, except smile and respond when I'm spoken to, and say hi to everyone.

4 yr degree, as in Bachelors? Well my degree so far is 6 yrs and ongoing, and I'm still not asking to be treated as a superior. All I'm asking is not to be treated like dirt. The only thing I do is sit/stand there watching ultrasounds in a darkroom, so there's no patient care, conversations, showing off. The only thing that can happen is not being spoken to, and being treated like scum, that's exactly what happened.

Actually many sonographers have a 4 year degree in US, so it is far from a correspondence course. It could be that she just doesn't like you because you have a chip on your shoulder.

 

[the citizen]

Well, you got off on the wrong foot with the coffee; maybe you can follow a different tech next time. Also, make sure to let the tech know that you know nothing about ultrasound and that you would greatly appreciate it if she shows you the ropes.

 

[MustafaMond]

Sometimes people in the hospital, (techs, clerks, nurses) act like hardcores.

Usually they act hard-ass at first, and once they get to know you, they get more friendly.

You shouldn't expect people to bend over backwards to be kind to you.

They have a life, and are trying to get through the day. Be nice. I would be pissed if you walked in w/ coffee to my procedure, as well.

 

[cajuntexan00]

He's right about warming up to people. Often the nursing and techs assume we're jerks. A smile will also go a long way too. Eventually she'll lighten up.

 

[cbc]

I was there for a couple of days, and thankfully won't be there anymore.

I don't expect anyone to bend over backwards for me. All I ask is don't be mean and rude, since I never treated her or anyone else that way. It wasn't her procedure, it was another resident who was doing that patient's, and she scolded me before I walked in. I know she is trying to get through the day but so am I, except she gets paid and I pay 25k/yr in tuition to learn. Even with that tuition fee, I am not even asking her to teach me anything. Go ahead and eat up my tuition fee by ignoring me, but don't treat me like crap. Forget warming up to her, I stayed away from her as much as possible. I just found the nicest resident around to follow instead. And if she doesn't want to bother with students, why work at a university hospital?

 

[MustafaMond]

Go ahead and eat up my tuition fee by ignoring me, but don't treat me like crap. I just found the nicest resident around to follow instead. And if she doesn't want to bother with students, why work at a university hospital??

🙄
You have a lot to learn.

The techs, nurses, clerks, and lab staff have ABSOLUTELY NO COMMITMENT TO TEACHING YOU. They never signed up to hang out with, talk with, cuddle with, or even speak with you.

You need to worry about your patients and not "OMG what does that nurse think about me!"

Get this through your head.Otherwise you will find clinicals and residency very irritating.

You sound like a schoolgirl. You need to harden up a bit....

Just because you paid money to go to med school (like everybody else), it doesn't mean people need to spoon with you everywhere you go.

 

[Al Pacino]

Just a few words of advice. Be very careful about bringing in coffee or eating in food in which PATIENTS are IN the room. Most people consider that to be bad manners. For example, I had a classmate who would bring her coffee into patient rooms during rounds; everyone looked at her as if she were a leper.

But I certainly empathize with your situation. I've had situations where I was a student "shadowing" someone and it was obvious by the body language and the TONE of voice, that it'd be better if I could scram and go away.

You know the situation where when you ask a thoughtful questions, and you get replies like "Have you been reading the textbook? That's a really basic question" or you get monosyllabic grunts.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

Bringing coffee into a patient room or patient care area such as the ultrasound suite is not just bad manners, its against JHACO rules meaning your hospital could be dinged for it if there was someone were to complain or if an inspection were to take place.

That started you off on the wrong foot. Ultrasound techs are some of the best trained techs out there and usually get about 2 years of training (much different than a lab tech). Of course, there is no excuse to treat others like dirt.

 

[cbc]

🙄 🙄 🙄 And you have a lot to read, for example, my posts. If you can read that is, I said I don't expect her to teach me anything (or spoon me or cuddle or whatever you said), just don't treat me like trash. Someone walking down the streets can have no commitment to me, but if they scold me, I fight back.

None of those are my patients. I just sit there looking at someone else do ultrasounds all day. I paid tuition not just like 'everybody else,' but just like all other medical students. By the way, the nurses there are absolutely nice and personable.

I sound like a schoolgirl because I treat everyone with respect and all I ask is to be treated not like dirt. You sound like a donkey.

Even if it were a rule, it's not as though there is some sign and I totally ignored it because I think I'm God. Neither the school or the service explained these rules to me, and there is no booklet passed out regarding these regulations. If someone was ignorant about rules because it was never presented, I'd politely explain it to them, not act like a total bitch. Look, no one has to be polite. One can live a complete life as a total bitch. Just don't expect others to bow down to you when you do.

This just reminded me, the second incident that ticked me off was my attending asked me to look up something (what are the technicalities of ultrasound waves). I was reading it in an empty room when patients entered. I stood up, introduced myself and the resident proceeded with the ultrasound. In the middle of the quiet procedure, I go back to the corner to complete reading it minding my own business. The tech comes in and headed for the computer, so I respectfully moved over so she can use it. All she did was close my window, shook her head, and walked out of the room. I was about to slap her.

If you want to live your life always getting stepped on, that's fine. I won't put up with it, as a resident, attending, or some fool walking in the street. All I know is, don't yell at me just because you can read an ultrasound with perfection, because by 5pm, we're all just plain human beings. If/when I become an attending, I will at all times automatically treat EVERYONE with kindness and respect. But I will also always fight back against anyone treating me with contempt.

🙄
You have a lot to learn.

The techs, nurses, clerks, and lab staff have ABSOLUTELY NO COMMITMENT TO TEACHING YOU. They never signed up to hang out with, talk with, cuddle with, or even speak with you.

You need to worry about your patients and not "OMG what does that nurse think about me!"

Get this through your head.Otherwise you will find clinicals and residency very irritating.

You sound like a schoolgirl. You need to harden up a bit....

Just because you paid money to go to med school (like everybody else), it doesn't mean people need to spoon with you everywhere you go.

 

[doc05]

cbc, please grow up. there's no sense in complaining about the U/S tech. she's just doing her job.

p.s. by "I don't even say anything in there. I don't ask questions" you're being rude, as in "I'm a med student so I'm better than you" attitude.

 

[cbc]

What are you talking about? Why are you judging so quickly? I have a bunch of questions to ask, to learn. I did ask some questions in the beginning to test the waters, but I hold back now because the sense I get is, don't ask me anything. Not only does she (and the residents there) not like to teach much, their answers to my questions are so curt they don't even answer my original question. It makes me believe asking questions is annoying to them, so I stopped. As stated in another thread, "don't speak unless you're spoken to," not because I think I'm superior, but because I don't want to be annoying.

If her job description includes, being a bitch, she's doing a great job.

cbc, please grow up. there's no sense in complaining about the U/S tech. she's just doing her job.

p.s. by "I don't even say anything in there. I don't ask questions" you're being rude, as in "I'm a med student so I'm better than you" attitude.

 

[Mumpu]

The tech didn't even say anything to you for pete's sakes. Lighten up.

Don't expect teaching from techs. They are not allowed to talk about the findings on exam and they will not talk you through it. If you want explanation, do an exam with the resident.

And leave the coffee in the call room...

 

[cbc]

Okay, why are you all attacking me without even reading what I said.

1) The tech did say something to me. She scolded me about coffee. The time she didn't say anything to me was when she closed my window on the computer (read above).
2) Techs sure are allowed to talk about their findings when they are teaching interns how to operate the u/s, and they are pretty nice about it too, maybe because residents actually will soon have the power to fire them or complain about them.
3) As stated previous 1000x, I don't expect any teaching. It's the trash.

The tech didn't even say anything to you for pete's sakes. Lighten up.

Don't expect teaching from techs. They are not allowed to talk about the findings on exam and they will not talk you through it. If you want explanation, do an exam with the resident.

And leave the coffee in the call room...

 

[ears]

To the OP: I completely agree with your larger point that being pleasant and polite to everyone is an important part of professionalism, especially in the hosptial.

I think the reason you're getting jumped on a little bit here is that when you tell your story the way you told it, you come off sounding more unprofessional than the tech. That could easily be because we don't understand what actually happened. But it could also be that something in your behavior wasn't quite right. Critical self-evaluation is an important part of professionalism, too.

 

[roja]

I concur with the feeling that in general, people should be nice. However, I think you need to take a bit of your own advice.

You were APPROPRIATELY scolded for bringing your coffee in. How were you supposed to know? Because you are a medical student and it is your job to know what the rules are. And if you are ever uncertain, it never hurts to have the respect and manners towards other peoples work (and the patient) to ASK, is it okay if I bring my coffee in?

And while you may hide your defense behind 'I didn't say anything', I would feel fairly comfortable betting that your immature and unprofessional attitude was plastered all over your face and body language.

And your superior attitude will often net you mediocre evals during your clinical years.


And as to why people keep bringing up teaching, its becasue in your original post, you complain about NOT only being scolded for drinking coffee but also because she doesn't tell you anything about the ultrasounds she was doing.

U/S techs are RDMS trained, extensively. You snotty attitude probably bought you the response you got.

And even if the tech had been a monster pain in the rear and you completely innocent, you are going to have to learn to deal with this. its a matter of working with other people.

(oh, and if you think as a resident that you can get a tech fired, you really need to spend more time in a hospital)

 

[Fusion]

cbc, I don't necessarily think all of the feedback you have received on this topic so far is warranted, though some good points are brought up. I do agree that coffee in the patient's room is bad form. you are not there to watch a movie, you are there to observe a medical procedure. However, you are well within your rights to be upset over how this was handled by the tech. She could have kindly and briefly explained to you why coffee should not be brought into the room. After all, you are a medical student and the learning curve is still pretty steep at this point, with respect to a lot of things. I also think that *some* hospital personnel such as nurses, techs, etc. resent medical students for the mere fact that they are going to be physicians. Not only will they be taking orders from you some day, but 90% of ppl's general attitude is how they feel with themselves to begin with. I once knew a ob/gyn P.A. (met her outside the hospital) who was sort of a know-it-all. She described to me her experience in the O.R. w/ a third-year and would not stop talking about how inept this guy was. To me, he was just your avg med student asking questions and making honest mistakes just like anyone else. But I got the impression that there was some underlying resentment going on there.

 

[Mongo]

Wow. You sound like you have the makings of one of those arrogant doctors who think they are better than everybody else. Keep up the good work.

 

[cbc]

I'm sorry, I don't know how you were brought up, or which jungle you were raised, but when is scolding appropriate? I can just see what kind of parent/teacher you are going to be. All I can say is, no matter what mistake my colleagues make, I will never use scolding as a means to prohibit or educate them about their behavior. And right, I am a medical student, that's why I'm supposed to know everything, all the rules, habits of each specialty, attitude, etc etc. Please remind me, why the heck am I still in school then?

I am arrogant because I try to treat everyone with kindness and respect, and all I expect is not to be treated like trash, right...

I have been receiving fantastic evals, thank you very much. That's because even when I'm treated like dirt, I find ways to avoid total bitches like these and be super kind to everyone else, esp patients. I see so many who, like you, accept the punishments and scolding as though it's a norm, and continue to expect scolding for mistakes. I get good evals because I cling onto those who have positive attitudes, and they are the ones who eventually eval me. 'Maybe' I am unprofessional at times (not clinging onto your perfectly ironed bleached white coat with shiny shoes because honestly I just don't give a damn about how 'superior' a doctor should appear), but patients love me anyway because I give them 110% of my heart and concerns and am able to act/react at their level. Thank you for your useless advice though know-it-all roja.

I concur with the feeling that in general, people should be nice. However, I think you need to take a bit of your own advice.

You were APPROPRIATELY scolded for bringing your coffee in. How were you supposed to know? Because you are a medical student and it is your job to know what the rules are. And if you are ever uncertain, it never hurts to have the respect and manners towards other peoples work (and the patient) to ASK, is it okay if I bring my coffee in?

And while you may hide your defense behind 'I didn't say anything', I would feel fairly comfortable betting that your immature and unprofessional attitude was plastered all over your face and body language.

And your superior attitude will often net you mediocre evals during your clinical years.


And as to why people keep bringing up teaching, its becasue in your original post, you complain about NOT only being scolded for drinking coffee but also because she doesn't tell you anything about the ultrasounds she was doing.

U/S techs are RDMS trained, extensively. You snotty attitude probably bought you the response you got.

And even if the tech had been a monster pain in the rear and you completely innocent, you are going to have to learn to deal with this. its a matter of working with other people.

(oh, and if you think as a resident that you can get a tech fired, you really need to spend more time in a hospital)

 

[cbc]

Not better than anyone else except that lab tech and roja, and better than them in every way I might add.

Wow. You sound like you have the makings of one of those arrogant doctors who think they are better than everybody else. Keep up the good work.

 

[JMK2005]

Critical self-evaluation is an important part of professionalism, too.

Maybe you should slow down, re-read your post and wonder why people on this board are coming down on you. It seems to me that the problem is not the tech but more your reaction to the situation. Your body language after the "scolding" probably said a lot.

It's good that you have been getting good evaluations. But if you don't know how to deal with criticism, either from a U/S tech, colleagues on this board, residents, or attendings... you will eventually run into trouble.

I agree with the quote above that self-evaluation can be very helpful.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

I just want to say, I have had the worst experience with a lab tech. She runs an ultrasound machine and I'm supposed to be in there observing. Not only did I get scolded for bringing my coffee in the room at 8am (I was just going to drink a few sips in the corner of the dark ultrasound room because I was tired as hell completing a huge assignment the night before), but she pretends like I don't exist and never explain to me anything about the ultrasound while she's doing it. On the other hand, she's completely nice to the patients and residents.

And please explain this to me, how come these techs get to wear the long coats? They bust out with a few medical terminology because they know everything about this one little machine after 3 months training from some tech institute, act like they know a whole bunch more than me so can treat me like dirt, and prance around with their long coats. On the other hand, if I gave her an EKG, or a psych case, she wouldn't know squat. What the hell is wrong with this picture?

Listen, you have every right to be pissed if some one treats you badly. But just read your own post and you should be able to understand everyones reaction.

 

[edmadison]

So what was her response when you took her aside and said, "I'm sorry, I seemed to have offended you. Would you please tell me what it is so that I can try not to repeat it."

If you didn't do that, than don't say you fight back. Complaining in this forum doesn't count as fighting back"

Ed

 

[cbc]

I did write that in my first post, but it's not a major concern. That is why I repeatedly posted that my major concern was the scolding/trash, not teaching. Then someone brings up the teaching, and then someone else again and again and again, and I have to repeat again and again and again that my major concern is the scolding not teaching.

Listen, you have every right to be pissed if some one treats you badly. But just read your own post and you should be able to understand everyones reaction.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

I was referring more to the bold sections in the second paragraph. Did you think maybe they wear long white coats because they help do a lot of procedures that my end up with bodily fluids being sprayed on them? You diminish and ridicule their education in a field that they are the experts at, performing ultrasounds (not an easy task to do one correctly and completely). Of course they don't know how to read an EKG, why the hell should they. That is not their job. And you will never be able to perform ultrasounds as well as them, even if you go into radiology.

Again, you may have been treated badly, and I don't think that is right (although scolding for coffee was probably correct). However, the attitude you portray in your initial post is arrogant and ignorant.

 

[Jaded Soul]

I just want to say, I have had the worst experience with a lab tech. She runs an ultrasound machine and I'm supposed to be in there observing. Not only did I get scolded for bringing my coffee in the room at 8am (I was just going to drink a few sips in the corner of the dark ultrasound room because I was tired as hell completing a huge assignment the night before), but she pretends like I don't exist and never explain to me anything about the ultrasound while she's doing it. On the other hand, she's completely nice to the patients and residents.

And please explain this to me, how come these techs get to wear the long coats? They bust out with a few medical terminology because they know everything about this one little machine after 3 months training from some tech institute, act like they know a whole bunch more than me so can treat me like dirt, and prance around with their long coats. On the other hand, if I gave her an EKG, or a psych case, she wouldn't know squat. What the hell is wrong with this picture?

To the OP: You need to re-read your first message. What exactly were you trying to accomplish by writing this? You bitched about getting "scolded" for bringing coffee into a patient-care area with expensive equipment. Then you bitched about not being taught by a tech, who isn't there to teach you, as pointed out by other people on this thread. Then you went on a condescending rant and belittled an entire profession. Regardless of anything you wrote later on in this thread, the reason you're getting attacked is the initial way you presented yourself.

 

[sandman1]

What ever you do, DO NOT go off on the hospital staff. Word will get around very quickly and it can affect your grade on your rotation.

My first MS3 rotation was OB/GYN and the nurses were insufferable. As badly as I wanted to speak-up when I was continually vebally accosted, I refraind and took it, knowing that eventually I would never see these people again. It was a very sureal and odd experience without any reason. No one prepared me for this sort of thing but this won't be the last time you will see it during your education. It's just another part of your rite of passage.

 

[Mumpu]

If a physician can't read ECGs (and many cannot) should they be sacked, have their white coat shredded, and be spanked in the town square? Pretty please?

 

[pathdr2b]

And please explain this to me, how come these techs get to wear the long coats?

Let's see here, as a former lab tech who would wear a long white coat all I can say is this. At least I NEVER wore it when it was 100 degress outside in the summer time like med students do! 😛

PS- And as predoctoral fellow I still occasionally wear my long white coat, and luck for me none of the REAL dcotors (Pathologists) seem to mind!

 

[Sage880]

Not better than anyone else except that lab tech and roja, and better than them in every way I might add.

You should be nice to Roja. She's helped out more people on this board with honest, good advice then anyone else I've ever seen.

Read what she wrote again and try not to get so offended. It's good advice and it'll help you out! No one's saying that you're wrong and the tech is right but since you seem to think you've been raised well you should know that the best thing to do would be to totally take the high road. Ignoring her isn't the key - keep being nice and friendly and she'll warm up. It is tough to do that when you probably can't stand her but it's the most rewarding in the long run.

 

[kornphan]

I agree with the original post 100%, doesn't anyone care about us the students ?.. we all get treated like dirt from the day we enter med school.. and we all know how hard we have worked for it, all I hear is 'suck it up' ... no wonder most of the doctors are in a bad mood and stressed all the time.. but remember we are getting the best "training" in the world and we "are lucky to be here " "and you are in the best profession in the world" 🙂 ... so for now coat yourself with Teflon and Smile ;-) ....

 

[cbc]

Exactly my point.

I agree with the original post 100%, doesn't anyone care about us the students ?.. we all get treated like dirt from the day we enter med school.. and we all know how hard we have worked for it, all I hear is 'suck it up' ... no wonder most of the doctors are in a bad mood and stressed all the time.. but remember we are getting the best "training" in the world and we "are lucky to be here " "and you are in the best profession in the world" 🙂 ... so for now coat yourself with Teflon and Smile ;-) ....

 

[cbc]

Oh I havent even started fighting back against her yet...don't worry it'll come..someday.

So what was her response when you took her aside and said, "I'm sorry, I seemed to have offended you. Would you please tell me what it is so that I can try not to repeat it."

If you didn't do that, than don't say you fight back. Complaining in this forum doesn't count as fighting back"

Ed

 

[cbc]

And are med students allowed to put on long coats to protect themsleves even if they do procedures involving nvasive bodily fluids spraying around. Of course not, because we have to always wear these "i dont know anything" short coats. You speak as though not everyone is an expert of a field. Should the construction worker who knows how to repair a fence with perfection given the right to scold everyone wearing a long white coat? Like I said, if you think "scolding" is necessary to stop uninformed students from bringing coffee into a u/s room, I feel bad for your children. IMHO scolding is not a means to a solution in any circumstance. But then again, what else would anyone expect, your children will have a radiologist parent who only likes reading films in a darkroom all day with no desire for taking care of any person/patients.

I will self-evaluate. But don't come up here criticizing/judging people from a few internet posts. Maybe you should go ahead and self-evaluate before jumping the gun to criticize here. This is my way to vent (going on the internet and typing up my angered emotions), and it's a mature ego defense mechanism, and if you don't appreciate it, eat it.

I was referring more to the bold sections in the second paragraph. Did you think maybe they wear long white coats because they help do a lot of procedures that my end up with bodily fluids being sprayed on them? You diminish and ridicule their education in a field that they are the experts at, performing ultrasounds (not an easy task to do one correctly and completely). Of course they don't know how to read an EKG, why the hell should they. That is not their job. And you will never be able to perform ultrasounds as well as them, even if you go into radiology.

Again, you may have been treated badly, and I don't think that is right (although scolding for coffee was probably correct). However, the attitude you portray in your initial post is arrogant and ignorant.

 

[tkim]

Cool it down, please.

 

[Zweihander]

Dude, I hope you shoulder criticism better in real life than you are doing on this thread. Does it make you feel better to disparage entire professions and to look down on people based on the work they do?
😕

 

[Seaglass]

And are med students allowed to put on long coats to protect themsleves even if they do procedures involving nvasive bodily fluids spraying around.

Umm, they do where I come from - it's called a gown. It's usually blue or yellow. I'm sure the nurses know where they are.

 

[kornphan]

Dude, I hope you shoulder criticism better in real life than you are doing on this thread. Does it make you feel better to disparage entire professions and to look down on people based on the work they do?
😕

Bottom line is, we all will be Doctors one day ( hopefully soon ;-) and everyone needs to try real hard NOT to treat others like we are being treated now.... we need to break this cycle of " hey I was treated worst then this when I was a peeon student like you, ... so suck it up " .... we are suppose to be helping humanity right ?..

 

[cbc]

I see, so someone criticizes me here and I should accept, but when I criticize you in return, you won't take it.

A few ppl got the point I'm trying to make. Why do residents work 80 hrs/wk with a doctorate degree and earn 35k/yr? Why do residents get yelled at during the evening by specialists when residents need to refer dying patients, as though the resident was supposed to not call and watch the patient die? Why do medical students get scolded by everyone else and they're supposed to "suck it up?" Remember in undergrad, when you had professors and TAs. I guarantee if any professor or TA "scolds" any student at office hours, they'd get reported and perhaps even suspended by the department. So why is it now certain mean attendings, residents, nurses, techs, allowed to treat students in such manners? Aren't people in the health-care system supposed to be even more congenial than academic professors?

If we continue to accept punishments by random ppl in the medical field, it is just going to get worse. Schwarzanager (however you spell it) tried to raise tuition on California professional students, and most students were just going to "suck it up," especially med students. Luckily, law students fought back and now the tuition raise is blocked. We med students need to start standing up against poor unfair treatment as well.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

And are med students allowed to put on long coats to protect themsleves even if they do procedures involving nvasive bodily fluids spraying around. Of course not, because we have to always wear these "i dont know anything" short coats. You speak as though not everyone is an expert of a field. Should the construction worker who knows how to repair a fence with perfection given the right to scold everyone wearing a long white coat? Like I said, if you think "scolding" is necessary to stop uninformed students from bringing coffee into a u/s room, I feel bad for your children. IMHO scolding is not a means to a solution in any circumstance. But then again, what else would anyone expect, your children will have a radiologist parent who only likes reading films in a darkroom all day with no desire for taking care of any person/patients.

I will self-evaluate. But don't come up here criticizing/judging people from a few internet posts. Maybe you should go ahead and self-evaluate before jumping the gun to criticize here. This is my way to vent (going on the internet and typing up my angered emotions), and it's a mature ego defense mechanism, and if you don't appreciate it, eat it.

I give up. You have just proven all of the impressions I had of you from your initial post to be entirely true. As a response to my very reasonable post (did you even read the second to last line for gods sake!), you attack my profession. When the ultrasound tech is mean to poor little you, you attack her profession and her training. You really need to grow up.

 

[JMK2005]

scolded for bringing my coffee in the room at 8am

I'm curious as to what this "scolding" really was. CBC, can you please describe in detail what happened that morning. Include any dialogue between you two if you can remember.

If it really was that bad, most places have people that you can go to where you can report medical student abuse.

JMK

 

[Scooby Moo]

Sure, it's perfectly reasonable to expect to be treated with a certain amount of courtesy...i.e., treating each other like human beings. But, in the sometimes hectic environment of a hospital, professionalism has to be a top priority where patients are concerned. Yes, it may be a teaching hospital but patients may or may not care about that...they are simply there to get better, and they need to see that the people they are entrusting their health to are all on the same page. Students, attendings, nurses, techs, support staff, and whoever else. When people say to "suck it up," I think most of the time that they are simply saying to not let patients see your discontent...not that you must "grin and bear it." Beyond that, how you choose to deal with abuse is up to you (filing a report with a superior, etc.)

Not only did I get scolded for bringing my coffee in the room at 8am (I was just going to drink a few sips in the corner of the dark ultrasound room because I was tired as hell completing a huge assignment the night before)

First impressions are everything. It may seem to be unfair, but students new to the wards are expected to know hospital policies whether that's HIPAA, JCAHO, or something local to your hospital. "Scolding" is probably not the best way to go about informing you, but asking you to remove the coffee from the exam room would be entirely appropriate.

On the other hand, she's completely nice to the patients and residents.

Being nice to the patients is her job. Being nice and more talkative with the residents is probably the result of knowing them for a much longer period of time. No different than in the outside world.

And please explain this to me, how come these techs get to wear the long coats?

Why does coat length matter? The person wearing the coat should be the thing regarded highly or not. I wore a coat much longer than I do now back when I was working in a diagnostic lab...I didn't know squat. When I begin internship, I will again feel like I don't know squat despite the long coat. It means nothing.

They bust out with a few medical terminology because they know everything about this one little machine after 3 months training from some tech institute

Just my 2 cents, but try to look at that medical terminology exposure as a learning opportunity. Picking up little things like that here and there really adds up during the course of a year.

, act like they know a whole bunch more than me

In that particular room, they do know a bit more than you or any other student (sometimes more than an intern or resident as well). That's the nature of health care...specialization. You're going to have to rely on countless colleagues during the time you practice medicine, and people with "M.D." or "D.O" behind their names are just the tip of the iceberg. The only way you're going to be able to be efficient and effective for your patients is if you trust that those professionals do know everything there is to know about their department (and trust in their training).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All that being said, thoughts like yours have been crossing the minds of countless med students for a long time. It's just a matter of learning to keep your composure and not allowing yourself to get jaded. Good luck...

 

[Mongo]

I have been receiving fantastic evals, thank you very much.

From what I have read from you on here, I find that hard to believe.

 

[roja]

I'm sorry, I don't know how you were brought up, or which jungle you were raised, but when is scolding appropriate? I can just see what kind of parent/teacher you are going to be.

What are you talking about? Why are you judging so quickly?

Oh I havent even started fighting back against her yet...don't worry it'll come..someday.

I sound like a schoolgirl because I treat everyone with respect and all I ask is to be treated not like dirt. You sound like a donkey.

No, you sound like a school girl because of all the things you have said here


And on and on.

I have no idea where you are going to school. Where I went, and most people I know for a variety of schools, med students are NOT treated like scum. They are a respected part of the team.

Is there an occasional bitch-y nurse/tech. Yup. Welcome to the real world. Unfortunately for you, your apparant toddler like self-centeredness makes it seem like it is a full on affront to medical students everywhere.

Perhaps this tech was an utter bitca to you. Perhaps you were just using the site to vent. However, unfortunately, you have run amok. You have only confirmed everyones assessment with your immature attitude, pathetic attacks and misguided assumptions.

I concur with the general census that you really arent' worth much time.

🙄

 

[njbmd]

Hey Guys,

When you encouter rudeness in the hospital from department chair to environmental services, vow not to perpetuate it. It is so much easier to practice good medicine in a civilized environment. Bad manners are unprofessional no matter where they come from. After all, we are all adults and no one needs to be scolded.

Does the length of a lab coat really make a difference in the long run? I hardly wear a lab coat anyway. I usually round in a sweatshirt and scrubs. I can practice the best medicine when I am warm and comfortable so chill about the length of anyone's lab coat. I might end up being your chief resident and my sweatshirt is shorter than your coat. 😀

Learn what you can from allied health folks and put the bad manners and unprofessionalism behind you. Seek the higher ground and stay there. I can totally sympathize with the OP about the coffee. Sometimes you just need a couple of sips to get the synapes firing but the technician could have easily smiled and asked that the person take the coffee outside because of JCAHO regs. I am sure the the OP would have promptly done so.

njbmd

 

[cbc]

For doctors, you all sure have a mind more narrow than an anal canal.

Maybe you behave exactly the same in the hospital as with your friends, as with your boy/girlfriend, as with your children, as with an anonymous internet forum. That's fine and I can understand and respect. But it's foolish to believe everyone will act the same in every environment. Do you actually think I behave 1% of the BS I throw out on this forum in the real world? If you are so serious about the internet, that's great, but if you walk around thinking everyone on this board type like they act, that is just a skewed perception. For some, this is just a medium to throw out BS (that I'd never say or act in real life) and see how others respond. It's just so strange to read the thread about Short Lab Coat (lots of complaining on it) when you would NEVER hear other med students act annoyed about in real life, with all med students rising up, and here, everyone to be judgemental about the entire personality of a being from a few internet posts.

Like I said, it's perfectly fine some of you are so serious and realistic on this board, but you might want to realize for others this is a place for throwing out their BS to get stuff off their chest, and that's fine too. Have you ever corresponded through emails with a stranger, and have this complete perception of him/her, and when you meet/get to know him/her, their personality is completely different? This is similar, except both parties know they will never actually meet each other or know who they are. Just keep that in mind before going off all crazy.

From what I have read from you on here, I find that hard to believe.

 

[tkim]

This thread has lived its life.