Podcast Episode 86 – How to Be a Better PA Part 1: Nurses, Lab Techs, and X-Ray Technicians

This is part one of a special three-part podcast series by Joe Gilboy PA-C on becoming a better PA. Part one is all about building amazing relationships with our nurses and ancillary staff. You may be thinking to yourself, "Hey Stephen, I thought this podcast was about the PANCE and PANRE." "How does talking about nurses and ancillary make me a better PA or help me pass my boards?" If you asked this question, then you have come to the right place. Because as anybody who has ever worked as part of a healthcare team can tell you, the key to your success as a PA has little to do with you and a lot more to do with how you treat other people. So how do you become a better PA? Let's jump right into this unique episode of The Audio PANCE and PANRE Podcast. You can listen to the podcast below and read the summarized (and edited version) of the transcript or listen in your podcast player of choice. The Audio PANE/PANRE Podcast Episode 86: How to be a Better PA (Part 1 of 3) You can also click here to listen to or download this episode. Episode Transcript and Summary This episode was recorded by Joe Gilboy PA-C and edited for clarity and readability by Stephen Pasquini PA-C. I've been a PA in the emergency department for 35 years. And you can imagine, I've had a lot of interaction with nurses and ancillary staff. I want to pass on some wisdom and guidelines to help you deal with the nurses and ancillary staff. This will help you become the best PA you can become and help you immensely in your career and, most importantly, with your reputation. Become Best Friends with the Nurses The first group of people we're going to talk about is the nurses. And this is a big one, folks, my God, how big is this! So, to all my new graduates out there, I really need you to listen to me, stop what you're doing, and let this bounce around in your head for a second. As a new graduate, your nurses will know more than you. That's right, you heard me, they will know more than you. So, let's say you're working at an urgent care family practice clinic or working in a neurology clinic. There you are seeing your patients, and the nurse will know more than you on how this patient needs to be worked up, which labs or imaging tests to order, and what the doctor likes. So, what I always tell my new graduates to do, and what you need to do, is become best friends with the nurses because sometimes (a lot of times), they're going to know more than you! As time goes on and as you become more experienced and more seasoned, yes, you will know more than the nurses, which is just a byproduct of time and experience. I can't fast forward time, but I can tell you that the nurses will know more than you initially, so follow them. They're going to point you in the right direction. They will say, "Hey, you know Dr. Smith likes it this way, or Dr. Jones likes it that way or, whoever the person that you're working with, this is how I like to work with them" Follow them, and if they like you, they will lead you in the right direction.  Make the Nurses Part of Your Team The second thing you need to understand about the nurses is that they like to be part of the team. They like to feel like they're part of the team and know that you recognize their experience and expertise when working up the patient. The worst thing you can ever say to a nurse is this: "I'm the PA; you're the nurse; you must do what I say." As soon as you say this, there are two things you should do: Sign your organ donation cardPick up the phone and call The Legacy Group, you know, that's the organ donation team that we have here in California, and they're going to come and harvest your organs, and you will be dead. And that's what's going to happen. Don't ever say that to the nurses! What should you say instead? Ask for Input from the Nurses What you should say to the nurses goes something like this: "hey,