stikcy situation, advice needed

I am an RN. I work in outpatient surgery. I know my surgeon because of where I work. I also know his staff. I know my PCP because he is on staff at the hospital I work at. I know that both offices are busy. I'm not asking for special attention, I don't expect to be treated different than other patients, but I do feel like I'm walking a thin line when I'm dealing with the office staffs. I feel like if I call everyday I'm pushy and they're thinking "she sholuld know how busy we are". On the other hand, I'm excited and eager and want to proceed. I called the surgeons office Tuesday to see if they had my referral (no) so I called PCP office Wed to see if it was ready (no). I'd like to call surgeon's office today to see if they received my referral (maybe call to PCP inspired them to send it) but I don't want to "bug" them. If I was just an anymous person I would have no problem doing this. But I have to be careful because of my work situation. Is/has anyone else been in the same situation?????

Dear Shawn, I've not had a similar situation but I can suggest something. Stop making yourself feel guilty already about your "already way of listening"....ie., "I feel like if I call everyday I'm pushy and they're thinking "she sholuld know how busy we are"......how do you know they think that at all? Also: excitement causes eagerness, which in turn causes us to want things quicker, which in turns causes our emotions to overflow.......again.....they can't fire you because you are eager. I suggest you speak to them up front, and tell them how excited you are about this and say that I may call a few times to ask questions and I'd appreciate anything you can tell me. Let them know what to expect of YOU and quit worrying about THEM and what they THINK because YOU REALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY THINK......as a human we make it up in our heads "they think this and they think that" and we really don't know. SO let it go, and just speak clear, be gracious when you do call, and stop worrying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stacey W TT @ 10/28/06 Started @ 310 - Now @ 155 Loves Junior the Quarter Horse

Speaking as one RN to another... Your career is that of a RN, but when you are calling the office, YOUR ARE A PATIENT!!! I know as nurses we often accept a lower standard of care, because we "know how busy everybody is". If you want to be successful at WLS you have be just another patient, and that is hard to do. It is hard, because when people know you are a nurse, they say things like, " I dont have to tell you that, you are a nurse". While you are pursuing WLS or any other medical treatment, as hard as it is, you have to act like any other patient would, and EXPECT to be treated like a patient. Remember the saying, "a nurse who treats herself, has a fool for a nurse." If I can be of any help as one nurse to another, please feel free to e-mail me. Carol

*hijack* Hey Carol How are you? I was talking with Annette last night after the meeting and she told me about a guest speaker we are going to have at the next meeting~ sounds interesting. I'm looking forward to it. God bless you, Annette

Thanks annette, I am looking forward to being there and seeing you again. Carol

Just remember....you are the patient is u work there or not! I have the same issues, I work at a hospital where I have already had 2 different plastic surgery procedures, do u think the staff talks??? of course the do and its TERRIBLE! People love gossip, its just to bad they are talking about one of there co-workers! Robin

Shawn, I have to agree with Carol. Your the patient now and not the nurse at the present time. Sometimes fires have to be built under some of the PCP's and the office staff too. I thank the Lord that mine was so great and told me to have my surgeon's nurse call him so that he would have exactly what they needed in the referral letter. So if you have to call them everyday then so be it. I am also a nurse (LPN) and work at a hospital. Others have commented here on the board that their PCP's did exactly what your going through right now. So just keep on bugging them and good luck. Brenda