When your patient begins to not do as well, and your patient needs an intervention that requires an order from the physician. As a new nurse calling a physician for orders is stressful. Nursing requires the orders of a physician to perform a blood test, diagnostic testing of any kind or administer medication.
#1 When in doubt ask your supervisor.
First things first, if you are uncertain if you should call, especially as a new nurse ask your supervisor. Your supervisor is your primary go-to for figuring out what should be done next. Many times, it was going to a supervisor to consult, and they either say call the physician, keep monitoring or call another unit. A patient of mine with an extensive their every 4-hours neurological checks, a nurse from the neuro unit came up to do a more extensive exam. Another patient with a severe change in heart rhythm, we called the ICU nurse and eventually transferred them to a telemetry unit. All physicians were made aware in all situations. The supervisor is an excellent resource for the new nurse.
#2 Have the information on hand.
The information that you will need on hand depends on what you’re calling about but keeping the information in front or within reach is essential. If you’re calling about medication or a situation, I always write the info down on the brain sheet, medication, vital signs, test results, and I’m calling them. Sometimes when paging them, they may call back right away, or it could take a bit. Either way, if you are in another room or away from the computers when they do call you back everything needed is right in front of you. Also, the information required to write a note is also altogether and ready.
#3 If the Physician is in a bad mood, try to learn from it and don’t take it personally.
Physicians and Nurse Practitioners in a hospital setting are taking care of a large number of patients, entering into the emergency department. They are also people with lives outside the hospital so if you page a physician or a nurse practitioner and you pick up on either attitude or even get yelled at, stay calm. Try to analyze the situation, did you call for something just not necessary, did you not have all the information available and you had to look up information on the call. After analyzing, learn from your mistakes, makes a mental note. Just keep in mind they are people with lives outside the hospital, they have good days, bad days, and stressed days.
#4 Repeat the orders back.
Finally, when given orders, sometimes they will put in the orders other times you may get over the phone orders. Another reason to have the sheet of paper with the information handy. Write the orders and repeat back to the person giving them. This will clear up mistakes in medication, dosage, or timing.
Physicians and Nurse Practitioners can initially be intimidating, but I will get more comfortable. As time and experience continue, you will know what information to have prepared and probably can tell what they are going to order. It takes time. You will get there.