A few years ago, I wrote “Conflict in the Workplace”. I decided it was time to touch upon this subject again. Sadly, I have noticed that sometimes when you are the “new” provider (new to the site), you sometimes have to go through a hazing process. This process consists of the older providers taking advantage of you. Forcing you to see all of the walk-ins and helping them if they are behind.
When I first start working somewhere, the first few weeks are a bit slow since my schedule isn’t fully open yet. I am more than open to helping the other providers with their workload. However, my pet peeve if being taken advantage of!
My current work setting consists of 4 female physicians and myself. 2 of them have been there the entire time the clinic has been open, and 1 of them is new. She started right after me. Unfortunately, the 2 physicians that have been there the longest don’t get along and it can be awkward at times. The 4th physician has been on vacation for a few weeks, and she is the only one with the “yes I can” attitude. Therefore, we’ve had more walk-ins (patients without appointments) than usual.
I am typically the most efficient one, so I offer to see walk-ins all of the time. One day, we all had equally busy schedules, yet for some reason only the new physician and myself were seeing the walk-ins. After my 5th walk-in, I was asked to see another one and I said “no the other 2 physicians have to pitch in”. To be frank, it was starting to bother me that there is no team effort amongst the physicians.
The next day the assistant medical director approached me and said she heard that I had refused to see a walk-in patient yesterday with chest pain. I was in shock because 1. I had no idea the patient they had asked me about had chest pain. 2. How did this information reach her? 3. Really? The only person that offers to see walk-ins is going to get in trouble?
I clarified with her that I had no idea the walk-in had chest pain, no one had notified me. And that I was just frustrated because the senior physicians never help out. Her approach was nice and she even brought up the fact that I am new but actually have the busiest schedule and lowest no-show rate.
Afterwards, I learned that the clinic manager was the one that reported the event to her. I was disappointed because it seemed sneaky. Why not come talk to me first?
I immediately called the Chief Medical Officer. He is the physician that recruited me to come help out in Chicago and is my direct supervisor. In my mind I was thinking, I don’t want to be in a place where things are going to be thrown out of proportion.
I explained what happened and I was relieved when the Chief Medical Officer apologized! He agreed with my reasoning for deferring the walk-ins. He agreed that the real problem is the fact that the senior physicians never pitch in and it has been an ongoing problem there. He also agreed that the clinic manager should have spoken to me about it before sending an email up the chain. He told me not to worry and that he will have a meeting with everyone next week.
I felt better after our conversation but his last comment threw me off guard. He told me that the physicians told him that I leave at 4pm (our clinic closes at 5pm). But he responded to them “good for her that she is that efficient!”. To be clear, we all have the same amount of patients scheduled. The physicians have had the same patient panel for 5 years – these same patients come once a month. So, at this point they should know them really well! I have absolutely no idea why they are always behind.
The funny part is that they don’t seem to realize that I don’t HAVE to be here. That I am doing them a favor. If I wasn’t here, guess who would have to cover all of those patients? Them! Not to mention I often help them when they are behind or offer to see their walk-ins. But instead of being appreciative they are being HATERS!
That is very sad. My 1st thought was she doesn’t have to be there, then you said it! This is why I travel as well…work place drama and laziness
If that patient was having chest pain shouldn’t the nurse have triaged him and diverted to an emergency department for immediate care if no providers could see him? Where is her / his accountability?
I once worked for a physician who would eat peanut butter and watch YouTube videos and sometimes nap in his office while I saw patients. Then of course he would bill them at his rate instead of mine so he could get more for the visit. I left after three months after I saw the writing on the wall. I think as nurse practitioners we are taking advantage of a lot. I am sorry you had to go through that. Fair to say you won’t be extending your contract there?
Wow crazy! I will extend because leadership has my back and I enjoy seeing my current patients. That’s all that really matters 😀
That sucks! I am also a quicker than the other folks provider, and I find it puts me in the same position. No mas!
I have had office managers that have tried that sneaky stuff. They forget they are dealing with A NYC girl, who ain’t playing with them!
I’m sorry you were put in a position to have to go to ur Chief, bc of the mgr’s lack of professionalism.
I also leave early! When I’m done, I’m gone.
Unfortunately, I began a new ‘regular’ job recently, and the computer I use is all jacked up. The doc’s computer has all the templates we need for Peds.
Because she’s used Locums so much in the past, she just left the program – eclinicals, the way it came out of the box, so it would be more familiar to LT’s.
OK, I’m here now. I want the age appropriate templates! “Oh, we’ll have Anna (the MA office manager!!) do that for you. It hasn’t happened in ~6 weeks.
I am off today, bc the doc forgot to tell them to open my schedule – so no pay for me!!
I was off last week to vs my parents in Ocala, FL. Hot as hell down there. I know u have said u live in Miami – no way! WAAy too hot!
So I didn’t get paid then, worked yesterday, not today, not getting paid for Thursday, but hey, I can work Friday!!
I didn’t check caller ID before I answered a call earlier today. A recruiter with Barton, who has been calling every day.
He asked me the ‘have I ever been arrested, malpractice, etc questions. Then he requested a reference name, but won’t call unless I agree to a job. I sent him the name, but told him he is NOT to contact her, unless I am at the point of seriously considering a new job, which, right now, I’m not.
He’s supposed to call me at 1600 today, after he does an ‘in-depth search’ for me! I told him don’t bother.
Right now, my doc is a flake, but she’s a very nice, close drive flake, so I can deal for a little while.
I also have a dog who is basically on death-watch – so I can’t leave here – but he’s still going to see if something ‘awesome’ is near me in the north ATL suburbs!
It’s after 4, time for wine! Hope your days go better. How much longer on this contract? Light at the end of the tunnel?
Take care,
Karen
Thanks for sharing. Glad I am not alone! I extended because I enjoy the job and no issues ever since the medical director took my side.
Hi Sophia. I am a locums psych np. I’m on my second assignment as a locums provider and have encountered a problem and I hope you can provide insight. What do you recommend doing when you are unhappy with the job expectations of an assignment? Should I just accept it because I only have two months left or should I just leave? It’s really messy how they do business here. I’m overworked and they don’t want to pay for overtime although its in my contract. I’d rather not deal with the drama. What are your thoughts?
Have you spoken to your recruiter about your concerns? You can also put in a 30 day notice if you aren’t happy.