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Where I work (Surg ICU) it is very common to call physicians by their first names, especially the residents. We develop a very close relationship when we are the ones the docs go to for answers when they are new to ICU. They depend on us to guide them a little when s__t hits the fan and they have little experience to make quick and critical decisions. Some of the attendings we rspectfully use Dr. with. They call all of us by our first names, which I appreciate much more than "nurse?". When some of these physicians have been here over a year and call me nurse, I tell them my name, and that I wont help them again until they remember it. Only thing worse then nurse is when they add a finger snap to it. :angryfire
hello to everybody!
since i start working, i used to call them "dr". i've been working with arab doctors for a long time and i think they dont like the idea that a nurse will call them by their first name, though for me it is much better so we can build harmonious relationship.
now, here in my present hospital, they hire some canadian nurse managers to train the staff in all aspects of patient care, and they keep on telling to some of our collegue who are under their supervision to call the doctor by their first name....
any idea which is much better? or i should say, it must be the latest trend.
let thy words be few. -- [color=#cc99cc]ecclesiastes 5:2
Where I work, at two hospitals, everyone calls the docs by their title, Dr. so and so; I haven't heard any of the docs called by their first name by any of the nurses. I think it is kind of disrespectful, but that's my opinion.
It's only disrespectful to address the physician by their first name if they address you by your last name. Very simply, address the physician as they address you... It is important that we be recognized as professionals and equals. Each discipline is unique in its role in health care and each discipline is essential for health care...
I<3H2O, BSN, RN
300 Posts
Is it common practice for the nurses to call the physicians by their first names at your hospital? Vice versa?