Calling residents affectionate names?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in LTC.

I work in a LTC/ Skilled nursing facility, and i would like to hear some opinions about calling long-term residents "sweetie", "honey" or "hun", etc. This is the persons home, and calling them Mrs. or Mr. is textbook and so formal. Of course, i would ask "is it alright if i call you sweetie? or do you prefer Mr. or Mrs." because i customize my care to whatever they would desire.

So whats your opinions on this? (Keep in mind also that i live in the south-ish, FL, were this is common etiquette) :heartbeat i do find it to be inappropriate in acute care settings, because i don't know the person well

:redlight:I AM ONLY REFERRING TO LONG TERM CARE PATIENTS. thank you:redlight:

Specializes in ER.

in my setting, a resident is a new doctor, but I have one that I call "Justina" - his name is justin. Haa! Sometimes it's Teenie, which isn't so flattering... but funny. Cute pet names. Probably, technically, inappropriate, but I don't believe in P.C.

Specializes in FNP.

I don't care for the practice.

Specializes in LTC.
in my setting, a resident is a new doctor, but I have one that I call "Justina" - his name is justin. Haa! Sometimes it's Teenie, which isn't so flattering... but funny. Cute pet names. Probably, technically, inappropriate, but I don't believe in P.C.

I think that it makes the nurse and patient relationship stronger, and more trusting. (as long as the patient is okay with the professional affection)

Specializes in Corrections, Education, Med/Surg, AGNP-HIV.

I find it repulsive and unprofessional. We all have names use them to address some one I find it offensive when called "sweetie" "hon" etc...and so should everyone who considers themselves professionals.,

Specializes in LTC.
I find it repulsive and unprofessional. We all have names use them to address some one I find it offensive when called "sweetie" "hon" etc...and so should everyone who considers themselves professionals.,

Do you live in the north? what area do you work in? I'd love to hear your opinion on this! thanks! :)

I work in peds and we call the parents Mom and Dad. It's one less name to have to remember.

Specializes in Corrections, Education, Med/Surg, AGNP-HIV.
Do you live in the north? what area do you work in? I'd love to hear your opinion on this! thanks! :)

Actually on the west coast. I dont know what is wrong with finding out what the pt wants to be called...Mr or Mrs.... or just Mike, Sally, or Liz..etc. It has always been a pet peeve...I generally find women tend to use these terms more but you still here it from the men as well. I dunno, am I crazy? I mean having a 30 something calling a pt "cutie pie" and"sweetie pie" it is just too much!I have worked in Med Surg, LTC, Homecare, and Corrections and have heard those type of terms used in all different settings. Makes me cringe!

Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

No, it's just not right. I call patients by their proper first name.

Specializes in LTC.

Do you think that its accepted for female nurses to do, but strange if a male nurse does it?

Specializes in FNP.
No, it's just not right. I call patients by their proper first name.

Until asked otherwise, the only appropriate salutaion is Mr/Mrs, etc.

I call people by their names.

But I was at a LTC a while back, where some of the CNAs lovingly called the LOLs and LOMs "grandma" and "grandpa" I could see that this was more than accepted by those residents, and watching them interact this way almost made me tear up.

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