Physician-Nurse Interactions in Critical Care

Nearly 20% of nurses leave their first job within a year of being hired. Many do so because they perceive the work environment to be unhealthy or nonsupportive. Nurse turnover is costly. When new nurses leave within 3 years of being hired, it costs the hospital $64 000, over and above salaries, to replace them. One of the hallmarks of an unhealthy work environment is poor communication between doctors and nurses. We present a case in which a nurse advocates for a young mother by questioning the doctor. She is reprimanded for doing so. We then asked 3 nurses to discuss the implications of such interactions for nurse satisfaction, patient safety, and a healthy work environment.