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.

[Rashandap]

I think it depends on where you are and what people ask you to call them. I am from PA and up there the a lot of the time you called the young residents by their first name, and alot of the attendings by DR. so and so and they called you by your first name. I just moved to VA and here everybody seems to address every one by Ms., Miss, Mrs. or Mr. and Dr. when they want to be informal they say Ms. and the first name. Even the doctors address people that way, I think it is part of the culture down here. I think some Drs want to be called Dr. not because they have some sort of superiority thing just because they are so excited to be a real dr.

[sulynn1955]

I used to work in a Doctor's office and we had a MA in our office who routinely identified herself on the phone as "the nurse". I'm an RN and I think we need to be very careful who gets to call themselves "nurse". The education is different and an MA should identify themselves as an MA. The bad thing for me was the doc condoned her doing it! I complained to him about it and he did not feel it should be a big issue. I thought it was and now I no longer work for the man. The MA told me that she thought their profession would eventually do everything RNs do, command the same salary and even felt their education was "more in depth" then RNs. I worry for patients that think they are getting advice from a nurse and may not be talking to a nurse at all.

[loriannlpn]

Sure, I always called the doctors "Dr", but then I always insist that they, as well as everyone else on my unit, refer to me as "La Conquistadora". :rotfl:

Are you a BOB and TOM listener?

[loriannlpn]

I used to work in a Doctor's office and we had a MA in our office who routinely identified herself on the phone as "the nurse". I'm an RN and I think we need to be very careful who gets to call themselves "nurse". The education is different and an MA should identify themselves as an MA. The bad thing for me was the doc condoned her doing it! I complained to him about it and he did not feel it should be a big issue. I thought it was and now I no longer work for the man. The MA told me that she thought their profession would eventually do everything RNs do, command the same salary and even felt their education was "more in depth" then RNs. I worry for patients that think they are getting advice from a nurse and may not be talking to a nurse at all.

What is the proper way to handle that? I know for a fact that some of my patients have been "educated" on their new medications or disease process. NOT! That is why they end up on my floor with end stage renal disease with a bs of 650. Not educated that if glucometer is not reading BS, cnt provider ASAP. Or taking their BP medications with out regard of frequent BP readings. I get really tired of docs, nurses or MA not doing the proper education for the welfare of our communities. Am I out of line on my feelings on this issue or not?

Lori

RN in spring 07

[nuangel1, BSN, RN]

it definitely depends on the situation .in my experience of 20 yrs i call a dr dr x while i am with a pt .or when the pt asks the drs name .however most times where i have worked the drs and nurses were on a first name basis.it also depends on how well we know eachother .calling a dr by his first name is not a sign of disrespect.i have had multiple drs tell me to call them by their first names when i have said dr x.

[anne74]

As regular practive, we all call the doctors by their first name. In fact, often I only know them by their first name, and I have to look up their last name when I'm charting. To a patient, however, I refer to them as "Dr. X". I think it sounds more professional, and it often carries more credibility with the patient.

I work in a teaching hospital with many young doctors, and it seems like the younger generation is much better with treating nurses as colleagues rather than mere employees or servants. I used to work at a community hospital with older doctors, and we only referred to them as "Dr. X". They also rarely listened to nurses' input and even didn't give us eye contact sometimes.

I feel very fortunate that I work in a facility in which we call all the doctors by their first name. I think that - in itself - does a lot for our nurse/doctor relationships.

[nursejean83]

When anywhere within ear shot of a patient it is absolutely necessary to address them as "Dr." That helps us communicate to the patient that we have faith in the training the Dr. has received as well. In a social setting it's fine to address them by the first name. One way to skirt around fuzzy or uncomfortable times is to call them "Dr first name"

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

nurse mike - if she doesn't know it yet, it is high time that you step up to the bat

faint heart ne'er won fair lady -

Eh, well, not actually looking to marry a doctor. Or a lawyer. Or an Indian chief...

But I'm not the only new nurse who found Jennifer (there--I said her first name--well, wrote it, anyway) the least intimidating of all our residents to page, and least apt to make you feel like an idiot, even when you are one.

Not to say she isn't quite nice looking, too.

Love your sig line. It will be my new mantra.

[Plagueis]

If I have to call a doctor "Dr. so-and-so", then he must call me Nurse so-and-so. Nursing has very long and deeply-entrenched tradition of being the doctor's handmaiden and all that. It's a female-dominated field, and females still often think they need to be polite and not rock the boat. It's a hard thing to do. But I believe it's important. Respect is one thing, but subservience is a whole 'nother bag of worms.

:yeahthat:

[moodychick, LPN]

I've been an er nurse for 34 yrs and some of the docs I call by their first names because we are all the same age and I've known them 20 or 30 yrs.With the exception of in front of patients. The younger docs the same. We only have one or two docs that want to be called Dr. X all the time. Seems you can feel this out when you work with them.

[husker-nurse, LPN, LVN]

I used to work in a Doctor's office and we had a MA in our office who routinely identified herself on the phone as "the nurse". I'm an RN and I think we need to be very careful who gets to call themselves "nurse". The education is different and an MA should identify themselves as an MA. The bad thing for me was the doc condoned her doing it! I complained to him about it and he did not feel it should be a big issue. I thought it was and now I no longer work for the man. The MA told me that she thought their profession would eventually do everything RNs do, command the same salary and even felt their education was "more in depth" then RNs. I worry for patients that think they are getting advice from a nurse and may not be talking to a nurse at all.

Not only THAT, but it's ILLEGAL to identify oneself as a NURSE when, in fact, one is NOT. This person could lose her license. (I'm not familiar with MA, is this a medical assistant, equivilent to a CNA?)

[ICU__NURSE]

I think we should address doctors by Dr. such and such. They went to school a long time and have earned the right to be called Dr. I have developed nicknames and the such for doctors as well. But I think they deserve to be called by their title, unless they tell you otherwise.