I try to ensure an provide the tools so that all my staff gets respect. Respect has to be earned by the individual first and then the team will follow. I have been blessed to be respected throughout my career.
Interesting question nebpusher. I am sure most of us have had some brush with a general low level of respect. I have personally experienced this. I believe firmly that knowledge, skill, the ability to execute said abilities when indicated and by making a difference clinically will earn respect from competent clinicians from all disciplines. Many of those who are initially disrespectful will come around when you show you know your stuff.
Posts: 147 | Location: Buckeye Az | Registered: January 27, 2006
Your department is only as good as the weakest link. For some stupid reason people like to remember the one bone head move rather than the previous 10 good calls. I am fortunate to work at a hospital that has changed it's tune towards the RT staff over the last few years. Most of that change is due to the intensivest demanding a higher level of performance and our neonatalogist expecting more from us also.
The hospital I started at 5 years ago had little to no RT respect, mainly due to the disgruntled dayshift RT's. As we are slowly bringing in better therapists (mostly on nights)the respect is a little better, but its slooooow going. The nurses deffinatly have their favorites (for good reason).
Like was said earlier, they remember the bad calls from the handfull of horrible therapists. I blame management some due to the fact that they hang on to those bad therapists who have given management every opportunity to fire them. We're talkin...extubating the wrong patient bad.