Comments on: Revisiting the Intern Survival Guide

By: 10 + 1 PubMed Tips for Residents (and their Instructors) « Laika’s MedLibLog

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:18:42 +0000

[...] I’m sure doctors will give plenty advice on the skills that are most important (i.e., see here). But what advice can I give them? I’m not a doctor. I could give them some examples of “how not to behave”, but I’m sure that will be covered well by fellow patients, and probably also by blogging nurses (i.e. see the perfect Intern Survival Guide by Mother Jones RN). [...]

By: RookieDoc

RookieDoc — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:58:49 +0000

Great post.

For many, the appearance of arrogance actually comes from an intense fear of failure and fear of being exposed as someone who somehow slipped through the medical education cracks.

Unfortunately, some people try to cover or hide the fear, rather than saying, “You know what? I’m nervous. This is new to me. What has been your experience?”

“Smart interns forge alliances with the nursing staff” – great quote. If interns and nurses don’t see their missions as the same, they’re missing the boat. There’s a difference between a mission and a role. Both play different roles in the same mission.

And yes, there are too many new docs who start internship with an air of arrogance and, at times, downright rudeness. But, there is also a large pool of nurses that start off assuming there’s a turf battle. And both of these continue the cycle.

This probably sounds a little fluffy, but it would all be a lot smoother if we assumed the best in others.

For interns:
– Don’t assume you have to know everything.
– Don’t be afraid to ask for help
– Nurses know their job better than your attendings
– Social workers know their job better than your attendings
– The more you understand others’ jobs, the better off you’ll be
– Ask
– And when you ask, be polite about it.
– Communication is everything… more than words said, communication is an exchange.

For nurses:
– Interns are nervous, & everyone expresses it differently
– Be patient with the new folks
– Be especially patient with new interns from other cultures
– Don’t start off assuming a turf battle… sure defend that last piece of pizza
– The more you understand about others’ jobs, the better off you’ll be
– Ask
– And when you ask, be polite about it.
– Communication is everything… more than words said, communication is an exchange.

Anyway, love the post… I’ll be sharing it on my blog
http://RookieDoctor.net

By: dragonfly

dragonfly — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:42:34 +0000

As someone who will be an intern in 6 months, I completely fail to see how rudely wasting the time of another health care professional (with disrespect to the diseased at the same time) is funny. I hope that isn’t something I learn.

By: Straussrn

Straussrn — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:11:04 +0000

Let me tell ya,….I’ve been a prison nurse for 7 years. I’ve gotten more respect from murders and rapists than I have from interns & residents……go figure!
Jennifer

By: Of Interest on the Web – June 2, 2009 « Off the Charts

Of Interest on the Web – June 2, 2009 « Off the Charts — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:50:15 +0000

[...] for those of you in the mood, here’s one nurse’s blunt message to new interns. A brief excerpt: I worked as a neurosurgical nurse many years ago at a teaching [...]

By: The Happy Hospitalist

The Happy Hospitalist — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:31:26 +0000

Don’t forget the last rule. Doctors save lives. Nurses save doctors and lives.

By: AnnieH

AnnieH — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:46:40 +0000

A chorus of AMENS, sister. Somehow interns come out of their classrooms believing they’re the only ones who affect patient care. The silly minxes. Perhaps it’s from watching too much “House”. I see the disregard more frequently as I get older/and the interns younger. Don’t know if it’s generational or the folly of youth. As an older RN with 30 years under my belt at Big Fat Teaching Hospital it’s much easier to state,”I know you’re not talking to me like that. Try again” than when I was a youngster and had not raised my own motley crew. Although, tasers would help fabulously some days…

By: tammy Swofford

tammy Swofford — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:18:17 +0000

Loved the post! It brought back memories of my time at a teaching hospital in Fort Worth.

I remember running a code with an intern who was busily telling me to give 15 mg. of Lidocaine for V-fib. Thank God, I just gave what I wanted and ignored him. ha I think he was imagining hanging a gtt. smile

We all have to learn, we should all remain humble in the process and also humble as we then mentor others. I do agree with the observation of not taking the last piece of pizza in the box. We will kill for much less on a busy day in our PACU when we have ordered a pizza after 12 hours without a break. wink

Tammy

By: One Nurse

One Nurse — Sun, 31 May 2009 06:04:29 +0000

Love this post! It can’t be said enough. . . at least not until all the interns start to act a little. . ok ALOT differently!

They eventually learn we are on the same team and we can help them and work together, but not until the “new” wears off and they fall on their face a time or two.

Definately worth posting and reposting!!

By: Liz

Liz — Sat, 30 May 2009 05:16:15 +0000

You’re right, we do want to see residents succeed. I worked with many residents who were caring and capable. I also remember a few who I really hope went into pathology.

I was always fond of having to obtain the colace order at 1 am.

It’s really important to remember that patients are in the hospital to receive nursing care, performed by nurses, not doctors. It just happens to be convenient for MD’s to follow their patients all in one place. It’s also convenient to be able to have surgery and nursing care all in one place.

Most nurses want to be nurses, not doctors. We enjoy patient care and being at the bedside. Doctors are indispensible but so are nurses.