Small Man, Large Ego

Ah, don't we see that combination all too frequently!

The other day it was nearing shift change and all of us lowly nurses were sitting at the desk finishing up our charting and counting down the minutes. A small, gray-haired man in street clothes appeared, almost running down the hallway. He did not stop his brisk walk but to jut his face out into mine and demand: "Where's Susie?" Such was his intensity that I am embaressed to say that I was taken aback and temporarily without words.

As he rounded the edge of the desk (Nurse's Territory), he again demanded: "Where's Susie? She delivered a premature baby here this morning. I know her... we grew up together..." The day had been especially slow and we had not had a delivery that day. I interupted him: "No she didn't." By now he's rounded the desk and into the Nurses' Station. NOT ACCEPTABLE! Up to now I was wondering if the other nurses knew who this was... perhaps an over-zealous visitor. We get them from time to time. Interesting how they can never quite remember their good friend's last name. A quick glance around proves that this is not true. The looks on their faces were clear.

"Who are you?!" I ask.

"I am Doctor Napoleon (names changed to be more accurate), urologist (how appropriate!), and Chief of Surgery AT THAT!" he proudly exclaims. I may have giggled. He practically commandiered a computer in order to locate his "friend."

So does that give you license to be a jackass, parade into an area of the hospital you have clearly never been in before without a badge, fail to introduce yourself or explain your presence and then proceed to act like you own the place, violating HIPPA and every rule of etiquette and human decency possible?!

I would like to send a little message to Dr. Napoleon: There is one thing you need to know about Labor and Delivery Nurses. We don't give a flying hootenany about what titles you choose to pin after your name. It's hard to impress us, and claiming to be Dr. ANYTHING will certainly fail to do so. Next time you choose to invade our space, bring your manners and leave your ego.