Do you ever get called, 'Doctor'?

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Aug 9, 2005

Only by my pleasantly confused, little old ladies...bless their hearts :)

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Aug 9, 2005

all the time, and I answer it the same way I did when the younger enlisteds called me 'sir' in the military, I politely, say (with just the right half-grin):

"No, I'm not a doc - I work for a living."

~faith,

Timothy.

karenG · Aug 9, 2005

I'm a nurse practitioner and dont wear a uniform..... I get called Dr quite a lot......... I'll have to remember Timothy's reply!! I usually laugh and say nope.. that would be a demotion for me!!

Karen

bassRN · Aug 9, 2005

I'm a nurse practitioner and dont wear a uniform..... I get called Dr quite a lot......... I'll have to remember Timothy's reply!! I usually laugh and say nope.. that would be a demotion for me!!
Karen

I get it all the time, just got it last night. I usually tell them about the same thing "no, I do the work while the doc's sleep". :yeahthat:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2005

Occasionally I do. I was asked by a visitor when I starting an IV for another nurse if I was a doctor....I said "no doctors don't know how to start IVs as good as me".

I was in a take out Chinese restaurant after work on Sunday and a guy was standing where all the menus were and I said "excuse me may I have a menu please". "Sure thing doctor, didn't mean to stand in the way of a doctor." Ugh.

I wouldn't say "thanks for the promotion" btw. That gives the impression nurses are a step below doctors. Think of something else, like what Timothy says. :)

Ekklesia · Aug 9, 2005

I wouldn't say "thanks for the promotion" btw. That gives the impression nurses are a step below doctors. Think of something else, like what Timothy says. :)

Yes yes, everything is soooo PC these days *Sigh*. I usually say whatever will get a giggle from the residents. :)

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2005

Do I get called Doctor?

All the time... :stone

My reply depends on the situation - usually along the lines of "Not the Doc, gotta work for a living". Or "Eeek. I know too much to be a Doc" :chuckle

By the way, I read somewhere that:

"Nurses, like NCOs in any military unit, run things in the hospital".

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2005

Another thing -

Too many "Fockers" in this thread... :roll

psalm, RN · Aug 9, 2005

...when I was a nursing student, 1st 2 semesters, we would go to the floor the day before to gather data on the pts we were assigned. I am female and dressed in a dress with a white coat/jacket. Lots of patients and a few med students thought I was a doctor. I smiled and said I was a nursing student and would be working with the doctors for excellent pt. care. (I was late 40's at the time). :)

ckh23, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2005

I get called "doc" or "Doctor" about 3 times per day. I feel bad about it, 'cause I'm not a doc. There is a definite societal stereotype going on here, but I can't help it. I usually say that I'm not a doc, then tell them that I appreciate the "promotion" LOL.
Anyone else experience the same thing?

All the time. I just correct them and let them know I am there nurse. Doesn't bother me.

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 9, 2005

When I saw this thread, I just had to respond.

I am not male, but, I am a nurse practitioner.

When I take ER call, I am addressed as Dr. all the time. I try to correct at the appropriate time, but, usually does no good. I have people come up to me in grocery stores sayin, "You will work in the ER this week, cause so and so said you work every week and you are such a good doctor".

When I finally get it across...the response is:

"Oh, so when are you finishing Medical school? or, Why can't you be a doctor? or You couldn't pass the test?"

Sheesh!!!!! Really gets old.

Then there are those who have NO idea what an NP is and call me the:

NURSE BEAUTICIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!