Sorry, but no..:

futuresctRN · Nov 12, 2013

Yes! Finally someone said it! I always think this when I read "client" in my textbooks!

ceebeejay · Nov 12, 2013

It's funny, but as a private duty RN, I think of my patient as a client. He hired me and I bill the state for my services. I can't even really justify why in my mind I am fine with client. But, in the hospital setting I think "patient". Whatever makes the person feel comfortable. Personally, I would just like to be called by my name.

The_Optimist · Nov 12, 2013

I'm sorry but no. I do not call the people I work for, clients. They are my patients. I do not charge them nor solicit them. I care for them. I have gone to (or am going to) school for my professional designation as a registered nurse. I can't stand the term "client". Seriously. We are not in retail.

We all have our preferences, yes, but we also have to abide by hospital rules , as long as it does not encroach on the rights of us or the patients.

So we get to call our patients whatever name the hospital wants them to go by. It only becomes inane if that "name" is changed constantly

Carpediem1012, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2013

I actually think it does a disservice to nurses and ultimately patients to call them anything but. The word patient is derived from Latin "suffering". One may think this actually promotes the use of another term in efforts to empower patients. However. It is is our job to alleviate suffering. This is a broad term encompassing actually nursing the ill, but also promoting wellness. If you think about it, even those coming in for consultation to a nurse to further their health (say nutrition guidance or an exercise regime) may not be sick necessarily, but they are wanting to avoid sickness (suffering), and be as well as they can be. The term patient involves suffering of varying degrees. A client is a consumer. Although we work for an employer, ultimately, our responsibility is to our patient. For me, at least, "patient" makes the most sense.

wannabecnl · Nov 13, 2013

To lighten the discussion, my personal pet peeve is when I'm in a store or restaurant and someone refers to the customers as guests. I'm sorry; when I'm a GUEST, I don't have to pay!

We chart with the word "patient" all the time. When I was in my MSN program, we used "client" almost exclusively. I agree; use the term that is the norm for your environment.

Dranger · Nov 13, 2013

Oh look we got the "White Knight of Health Care" on here....

Carpediem1012, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2013

Oh look we got the "White Knight of Health Care" on here....

?????

Dranger · Nov 13, 2013

?????

Patient, client, customer...it doesn't matter. If you care this much about a stupid title I predict you will burn out in 2-3 years as a real nurse if you keep this up.

You provide care that's it. GO do your job and not worry about what your patients are called by the hospital of health care at large.

Man I wish I had time on my hands to think about things such as this...

I am anxiously waiting for your nursing student lecture/comeback lol.... while I head to another 12 hour night shift...

Carpediem1012, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2013

Nice.

Carpediem1012, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2013

Or maybe you prefer the skills to the thought behind them.

gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN · Nov 13, 2013

It is becoming very cold and calloused. Nurses are given scripts to say when they enter the room. We even attended classes on this. I have seen the changes. I can also see when someone is forced to say such comments. By the way, I went to the doctor today and I consider myself as one of his "patients".

gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN · Nov 13, 2013

Also I cannot stand being called a guest in a retail store. I am not a guest, but rather a paying customer. I am a guest if I am invited over to your house. Target did not call me up and invite me over for coffee!!