Being called "Nurse".

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm curious as to how people here feel about being called "Nurse" rather than by their name. For me, I'm not bothered when a patient calls me "Nurse" but when a doctor calls me "Nurse" I feel slightly annoyed. Anyone else?

Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Being called 'Nurse' is marginally better than being called 'Sister'. I feel like saying 'Do I look like a nun?'

Hi,

Aw, you just reminded me of a nice memory. Sister does equal nurse in some cultures/countries.

Gen

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
For some reason, it jars me to be called "nurse" - by doctors OR patients. I would rather be called "Um" or "Hey" than "Nurse". HATE it. I introduce myself as Emma, and I tell them I don't care if they forget my name because I answer to anything. I don't say it, but I really, really hate hearing "Nuuuuuuuuuuuursssssse....." - it just comes out so whiny.

My doctors call me Emma, I call them by their first names too. I call my patients "Mr/Mrs X" until they ask me to call them by their first names. Doctors who have forgotten my name or don't know me call me "Are you looking after Bed 12?" and that's fine too.

I never get "Sister". I would be less irked by that than "nuuuuuuuurrsse" though.

I don't know why.

Hi,

Wow, hope you figure it out and fast before it drives you bonkers. :) I see you are 23 and a one month new nurse and it might be wise to tackle this little "issue".

In all my "assistant" years I have never considered that patients calling out for me as being inately "whiney".

Patients generally area calling out for us because they have a need, I hope that it isn't "I" who calls out and innately irritates my nurse because I used the word, that is her title and profession yet...

Best wishes!

Gen

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I don't mind patient's calling me "nurse", but yes, it does bother me a bit when a doctor does. When I address any doctor, I say "Dr. Smith", not just "Doctor". Some of the nurses call a few doctors by their first names, which seems a little weird to me. I worked side by side with a doctor in his office for about 5 years, and I never addressed him by his first name.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

i work in a teaching hospital, and first names are the norm -- except when i'm talking about a physician to a patient. "dr. smith is with another patient right now, he'll be with you as soon as he can." and to the physician, it would be "john."

every year some idiot intern will tell the nursing staff that his first name is "doctor." and i reply that he can call me "mrs. vee." and every year we call the paging operator to get his first name, and then use it every chance we get until he capitulates and begins introducing himself as "dick" rather than "dr. doe." in the icus where i've worked, calling an intern "doctor" is a sign that either he's seriously annoyed us or he's about to make some really big error. (as in "are you sure you really want to do that, doctor?")

as far as my patients calling me "nurse" that irritates me, too. if it's someone who's obviously a little confused or out of it in some way, ok. if i'm one of several nurses helping a colleague to reposition her patient, ok. but if this is my third twelve-hour shift in a row with you and i've introduced myself approximately 35 times already, use my name, dammit!

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I really, really hate hearing "Nuuuuuuuuuuuursssssse....." - it just comes out so whiny.

I hear you on that one! Especially when it's in a high shrilley voice and like every 10 minutes. I know it's part of nursing, but it doesn't mean it can't be annoying some days.

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I am quire proud of my title, and don't mind being called "nurse"

by the patient. Doctors never call me like that, only by first name. It irritates me when they introduce themselves "Dr Soandso", and you have nothing to respond except your first name, but that's different story. I was never offered by the doctor to be on a first name basis, except for my PCP, but again he was my friend before he became my doctor.

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I'm not a nurse (yet!)...but as a CNA I have been referred to as "nurse" several times. Everyone who wears scrubs IS a nurse, right? LOL...

I correct people when they refer to me as their nurse--"I'm the nurse's aide, your nurse is _______."

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Specializes in Med-Surg, gynecology.

Personally, I look forward to being able to be called "nurse". Also, I don't believe any MD would be offended by being addressed as "Dr. (last name"); why should we be offended to be called "Nurse (last name")? That is our title, after all.

Just my two cents.

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Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.

I get "nurse" fairly often. It doesn't so much bother me, except, as Ruby said, when it's my umpteenth shift with the SAME KID and the mother STILL doesn't bother to know my name. And also, we're to the point where she's asked me to call her by her first name. I just wish she'd take a minute to remember mine!

When I was in Zambia, I was called sister, but it bothered me not at all, especially since no one could quite pronounce my first name ... when then tried, it always came out as "Sister Harrison"! (My mum stills calls me that to this day...)

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Actually my 'official' title the one on my contract is Nursing Sister.

It's still quite common over here in the UK and in Ireland.

It harks back to the time (medieval) when all health care was provided by religious orders

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Specializes in nursery, L and D.
I'm not a nurse (yet!)...but as a CNA I have been referred to as "nurse" several times. Everyone who wears scrubs IS a nurse, right? LOL...

I correct people when they refer to me as their nurse--"I'm the nurse's aide, your nurse is _______."

Good for you:balloons: Patients need to know "who's who" in health care. It does get confusing with all the different scrubs and how are they gonna know if you don't tell them? I've seen so many not do introductions or corrections.

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I don't care, except that I'm not a nurse yet! For some reason, pt's think I'm a 'real nurse', but I'll correct them with, "No, I'm your tech but I can get So-snd-so for you, who's your nurse."

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