Do we HAVE to address docs by "Dr.--"

[kmokay]

we're all co-workers afterall. just like the guy that mops the floors doesn't call me "ms.--" or "nurse --" nor does the lady that cleans the toilets on our unit. we're coworkers, on the same level. so why must we address docs as "dr.---". Even if they were viewed as our superiors, I don't call my supervisors "ms.--" or "mr.---" I call them by their name, just like they call me by mine. Do docs get offended if you do this. I think its a nice gesture as nurses, but i think it also seperates us as healthcare providers. I mean to me there's an underlying connotation of superiority I think. I usually address them as Dr. so and so unless they ask me not to, but I just don't know the rationale behind this. Also what does it mean to document things aside from patient related info. Like if for a conversation between a nurse and a charge took place regarding the care of a patient that proves to later be critical. or if a staff is abusive, instances like that. Where would one document these things.

[irish_std/n]

Where I work, we call all the consultants(highest ranking doc) by Dr x or Mr X...and everyone else is pretty much first name basis...

[SmilingBluEyes]

It sounds very unprofessional NOT to do this in front of patients or in the work environment. Why anyone has a problem with this, I do not know. They are doctors; they earned that title. And it sounds right to address them as such in the professional work environment. Outside of work, in relaxed environments, it's another story.

[PANurseRN1]

It sounds very unprofessional NOT to do this in front of patients or in the work environment. Why anyone has a problem with this, I do not know. They are doctors; they earned that title. And it sounds right to address them as such in the professional work environment. Outside of work, in relaxed environments, it's another story.

If you follow that reasoning, then shouldn't you be addressed as "Nurse SmilingBluEyes"? After all, you earned your title. Shouldn't it be considered unprofessional to address nurses on a "first-name only" basis?

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

I think I address them as Dr _______ out of habit and out of professional respect. I once called a doc I worked with all the time by his first name on the phone while I was busy multitasking...and appologized automatically and addressed him as Dr. ____. He giggled at me and said 'Okay Nurse______".

[fergus51]

I address them however they wish to be addressed and insist they address me with the same level of formality. I wouldn't let "Dr. X" call me by my first name, but I'll let "Steve". I always use "Dr." in front of patients.

[Corvette Guy]

It sounds very unprofessional NOT to do this in front of patients or in the work environment. Why anyone has a problem with this, I do not know. They are doctors; they earned that title. And it sounds right to address them as such in the professional work environment. Outside of work, in relaxed environments, it's another story.

:yeahthat: ... I agree 100%

[gitterbug]

The title Doctor has been earned and I use it in front of patients and other staff. Otherwise I call some physicians by their first name. It is difficult to tell someone you put their clean underwear away or that the dog needs a walk calling them DR. I also call their friends by their first names only in a social setting. Respect, golden rule, kindness. One day at a time, one person at a time.

[shodobe]

It sounds very unprofessional NOT to do this in front of patients or in the work environment. Why anyone has a problem with this, I do not know. They are doctors; they earned that title. And it sounds right to address them as such in the professional work environment. Outside of work, in relaxed environments, it's another story.

I totally agree with you. I ALWAYS address the docs by their proper title whether I like them or not. I work with a small group of anesthesiologists and do have to call them by their first name since two have the last name. I have been doing this for 30 years and do not feel inferior just because they don't refer to me by a "title", MR or nurse so and so. Some of the posts here indicate some inferiority complex or lack of maturity just because someone didn't ask their permission to use their first name. I guess I am just old fashsioned and have always thought this way. Plus, some of these foreign born docs have names that are just too hard to pronounce so we shorten them down to "Dr B or Dr L" just so we don't struggle with trying to pronouce the un-pronouceable(?). Respect earns respect, as one poster stated, so just because a doc doesn't call you by an ancient title doesn't mean they don't respect you for your skills as a nurse. It still ruffles my feathers to hear a "younger" nurse call a doc by their first name even if they are about the same age, can't help it. Most docs I work with are anywhere from 10-15 years younger than me by I still give them due respect.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

we're all co-workers afterall. just like the guy that mops the floors doesn't call me "ms.--" or "nurse --" nor does the lady that cleans the toilets on our unit. we're coworkers, on the same level. so why must we address docs as "dr.---". Even if they were viewed as our superiors, I don't call my supervisors "ms.--" or "mr.---" I call them by their name, just like they call me by mine. Do docs get offended if you do this. I think its a nice gesture as nurses, but i think it also seperates us as healthcare providers. I mean to me there's an underlying connotation of superiority I think. I usually address them as Dr. so and so unless they ask me not to, but I just don't know the rationale behind this.

We don't HAVE TO do anything.

It also has nothing to do with any "supposed" superiority. It has to do with manners.

I do not have to hold the elevator for someone, I do not have to say "Yes, ma'am...Yes sir" to patients/coworkers/CNAs/housekeepers, I do not have to hold the door for someone behind me.

I call my manager at each assignment by Ms. X, just as I call all patients over the age of 18, Mr/Ms. Y until given permit otherwise.

I do not have to check with my coworkers, during and at the end of each shift, to see if they need help finishing their work.

I do all these things because they are good manners and the right thing to do.....and that requires no rationale.

If I am given permit to call the MD Andrea or Jim, then I do so...or if I am dealing with them in casual circumstances.

[luvmy2angels]

I always address them as Dr. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable using their first name, for me it is just a respect thing. It doesn't matter if they are older or younger than me, they are a Dr so that is how I feel comfortable addressing them.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i've worked in critical care in teaching hospitals since 1983. while i'll call the older phsycians "dr." there are fewer of them every year! residents we call by their first names with two exceptions. if we're talking about them to a patient, we'll call them "dr." or if they're really doing something (or have done something) stupid. as in: "are you sure you really want to push 40 meq of kcl through that 22 gauge angiocath in the little old lady's right hand when her k+ is 3.8 and she's totally asymptomatic of anything, doctor?" or: "you didn't really just suction out those chest tubes without using any sort of sterile technique or a cannister to catch the goo so that the goo went straight into the wall and the room will need to be closed down for weeks while engineering sorts it out, did you doctor?" (both true by the way.) in fact, i've been introduced to groups of brand new interns by the nurse practitioner (whom they all revere as the absolute authority on all ways to get through this clinical without pissing off the chief of the service who will then write you a bad evaluation and tank your medical career forever) as "the experienced icu nurse. if the experienced icu nurse ever calls you dr., you know you're f**king up, so imediately stop what you're doing and get help."

[PANurseRN1]

The title Doctor has been earned and I use it in front of patients and other staff. Otherwise I call some physicians by their first name. It is difficult to tell someone you put their clean underwear away or that the dog needs a walk calling them DR. I also call their friends by their first names only in a social setting. Respect, golden rule, kindness. One day at a time, one person at a time.

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