What do you go by?

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In my school there has been a gentle transition where everyone is beginning to address me as Nurse D instead of Mrs. D.

I don't mind - i mean it is my title - but then i got to thinking about how it may come off as snooty or strange or something.

On one hand, the kids and staff immediately know who your talking about if you said Nurse Flare instead of Mrs. Flare (and that's how it began - i took over an extra curricular club and after the kids got confused as to whom the papers were to be returned to, i changed the form to say Nurse instead of Mrs.)- but on the other hand, i don't think it's a title most school nurses use... or do they?

I mean so many of my students just refer to me as nurse or The nurse....

Thoughts?? Perhaps i am over thinking this...

Specializes in School Nursing, Critical Care.

My principal calls me "nurse" ex: "Hey, Nurse. How's your day?" So I call him "principal". "I'm great, Principal"

When I answer the phone or make a call, I identify myself as Nurse (last name). I feel this helps to indentify they are speaking to the nurse and not someone else who might be covering for me. This is kind of like how my state's nurse practice act requires us to have our credentials on our badges.

The students and teachers can call me anything appropriate, Mrs. (last name), Nurse (last name), or first name (for the staff and teachers only).

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Specializes in LTC, acute care, school nurse.

They call me Nurse Terri...staff and students alike. It is sweet when I'm in the grocery store and the little ones tell thier moms, "There's Nurse Terri!!" It just makes me smile.

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I say use it. You went to school for it.

If you were a doctor the same applies.

We NEED TO VALUE AND UPHOLD OUR PROFESSION? I wonder why we as nurses are told by society that we do not matter? Maybe because we LET THEM!

Still frusterated with nursing.....

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I typically respond to doctor. Then I quickly correct them.

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Enjoy the recognition! It reminds people and children who a nurse is and what she does and looks like. Represent!

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

I let the patients choose, but typically Nurse + my last name. My first name often gets mangled and its not that hard :)

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Specializes in Mental Health, Hospice Care.

Nurse ****** will sound so good to me, just telling the truth....In my mind it will be a honor to be addresed as such....

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Specializes in LTC and School Health.

My last name is a tongue twister as well. The kids call me by my first name. Miss Sara.

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

i'm from the old school when everyone address each other by their last names, however, these days and being in the states it's more relax so i answer to my first name or even when they butcher my last name, which it's not difficult to do " mr. nurse eleutiza".

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Specializes in Pedi.

The school that I work at mandates that the students (teenagers, it's a high school) call all staff by their last name, so I'm required to be Ms. Smith (not my real last name). I have a hard time every time I introduce myself to a student I haven't met yet because it's not natural for me to introduce myself that way. I was a substitute teacher about 8 years ago but every other role I've ever had, I've gone by my first name. I was a hospital nurse for almost 5 years and I obviously went by my first name there.

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Refer to my picture... Nurse Joy is totally acceptable :D

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I have been referred to as Nurse Amy... or Nurse. I think it's cute when the little ones refer to me as Nurse Amy. This wasn't a choice on my part... the teachers just kind of implemented it on their own. However, I think it's pretty nice, and not snooty at all. We earned our title! :w00t:

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