Wherever I've worked, we always call doctors 'Dr So and So'. I've never been anywhere where they are called by their first name. They call nurses by first name.
I'm old-fashioned in this way. I feel that MDs deserve this respect. I'm in no way groveling and generally enjoy all the doctors I work with, especially the more seasoned, experienced ones. Some of the younger ones have yet to develop into interesting people, and tend to lack great social skills.
I also address my children's school teachers by Mrs or Mr and their surname, even if they try to get on first name basis. I come from a different generation where people were more formal. When I was a girl one did not address any adults but your parents' close friends by their first names.
Is this changing in some places and how do you feel about this subject?
In my previous career, I deferred to 'Mrs. _____', 'Professor _______', 'Dr. ______' unless invited to use a first name. I introduced myself as (first name, last name), and my title.
As a student currently, I defer in much the same way with teachers, nursing staff, physicians, and patients. I suppose it's partly how I was raised and also that I'll admit that it gives me a little tinge when people are inappropriately familiar without an introduction or working relationship. It just smacks of disrespect, IMO.
I don't see any issue with calling someone by their title and name.
I currently work in a large clinic/outpt facility where all the local doctors have thier clinics. Out of respect, they are always refered to as Doctor when being addressed for any professional reason even if it's not in thier prescence. However, because with many of them we "do lunch", "go for drinks" or may be in other community clubs together, we then use first names. Again this is somewhat out of respect (its not a huge town), if we call them Doctor when out in a pub or at the gym, then no doubt someone hears it, makes up a juicy story or decides to confront them for free medical advice.
We have a couple with difficult last names so at work they become "Dr. 'first name'"
I have no problem with it. In fact, I have had to reprimand some staff for using thier "nick names" in front of patients. Yes, some get dubbed with some funny monikers by the nurses all in fun and they are OK with it.
However, it works both ways as we still have a few docs who call us "hey you" or "the one wearing blue" They don't get invited for drinks........ever.
Also, we have some patients who call them by first names, which I think is disrespectful to the staff, and the dr. Some may legitimately know them (a neighbor or whatever) but just because you think you are on a first name basis with your doctor, does not get you any special priviledges.
As a new RN in the OR I've been struggling with this. Most of the nurses have been there years and call the docs by their first names but I feel I should call them Dr. X, at least until they tell me 'hey, you can call me Steve.' It just sounds unprofessional to me when nurses answer pages for docs and say stuff like "Hey, did you page Andy?"
I've decided to go by Dr. X unless they introduce themselves as 'firstname.' Many of them are the same age as me and I don't cosider myself old-fashioned, but it still just seems like the proper thing to do.
Yes, anyone who has earned the title (MD, DNP, PhD) I will call Dr. so and so, unless invited to use their first name.
On the other hand, I try not to use the term "the doctor" to refer to "the physician" as there are many other professions in health care that have earned the title "Dr."
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Yes they have earned it. 18 months to be an Rn is a lot diff. than 8+years to become a MD. duh. And you RNs are "so smart"
Although I agree they have earned it and I agree with calling them Dr. so and so, it will take more than 18 months for me to get my ADN. 2 years Pre Reqs and a 2 year program. Their is no reason to be rude though, it's just a discussion and they way you worded your post, doesn't exactly portray intelligence.
Does it make you feel good about yourself to make comments like this?
Respect is a two way street, it doesn't matter who has more education.
We live in a society...where it does matter.
We all have the same opportunity in this country to go as far as you want with your education...folks may not like some of the choices that they may have to make to get there, but then again, it's a choice as well.
If you don't believe me...go to work tomorrow and start calling physician's by their first name...the next time you have to go to court for a traffic ticket, address the judge by their first name (after all, it's only a black robe...a mere piece of fabric)...start calling your college professors by their first name...and report back what happens.
It probably...will not be a good thing.
It's just really, really interesting that the folks that usually have the biggest problem with titles and authority, are the ones that generally don't have it.
It is not a hang-up worth having.
The most professional and best attitude in the world, is to be PROUD of who you are and what you have done, no matter what path you choose in life...if someone is a high school drop out and works at McDonald's flipping burgers...as long as they are HAPPY with that decision...it's not anyone's place to judge that individual.
However, that same person shouldn't be going through life bashing those that graduated high school and went to college either.
There's three docs that I've worked with for 17 years and we are on a first-name basis because we know each other well. I see them every day now that I'm on dayshift. They are perfectly fine with that. That is not disrespectful in my opinion.
I also am perfectly fine with giving doctors their due and calling them "Dr." and do so with every other doctor I work with or interact with in any way. It in no way demeans me in my role or my education, nor indicates that they are superior in any way.
It depends on how the MD introduces themself to me. If they use their 1st name (which all of our ER docs did), then in private conversation we're on a 1st name basis. However, in front of pts, it's always "Dr. Boombatz".
Actually, we don't "all" have the same opportunity to go as far as we want to go with our educations. We have the opportunity to go as far as we can pay for. Just sayin.
As for first names- I've had professors (have one currently actually) who has asked us to call them by their first names. I think it all depends on *their* preference. If their preference is to be called by their first name and someone insists on using their title or something else- IMO that is a sign of *disrespect* because their wishes are being refused. MHO.
We live in a society...where it does matter.
We all have the same opportunity in this country to go as far as you want with your education...folks may not like some of the choices that they may have to make to get there, but then again, it's a choice as well.
If you don't believe me...go to work tomorrow and start calling physician's by their first name...the next time you have to go to court for a traffic ticket, address the judge by their first name (after all, it's only a black robe...a mere piece of fabric)...start calling your college professors by their first name...and report back what happens.
It probably...will not be a good thing.
It's just really, really interesting that the folks that usually have the biggest problem with titles and authority, are the ones that generally don't have it.
It is not a hang-up worth having.
The most professional and best attitude in the world, is to be PROUD of who you are and what you have done, no matter what path you choose in life...if someone is a high school drop out and works at McDonald's flipping burgers...as long as they are HAPPY with that decision...it's not anyone's place to judge that individual.
However, that same person shouldn't be going through life bashing those that graduated high school and went to college either.
In front of patients, I also try to refer to physicians by "Dr." In private conversations with them, I will use whatever feels most comfortable for our relationship. For some physicians, it just seems right to refer to them as "Dr." as we don't have a "chummy" relationship. Others appear comfortable being on a first-name basis and I am fine with that, too. The hospital I work for is generally a first-name culture and common for everyone on the staff to use first names if they work regularly with someone of "higher rank" -- such as managers, administrators, physicians, etc. Newer employees and younger ones use title+last name until they get comfortable and establish a closer relationship.
What I find irritating is the ocassional physician who expects to be called "Dr." who doesn't show me the same courtesy in return.
How do you all address the PhD nurses, pharmacists, etc. that you may encounter?
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amarilla, RN
318 Posts
In my previous career, I deferred to 'Mrs. _____', 'Professor _______', 'Dr. ______' unless invited to use a first name. I introduced myself as (first name, last name), and my title.
As a student currently, I defer in much the same way with teachers, nursing staff, physicians, and patients. I suppose it's partly how I was raised and also that I'll admit that it gives me a little tinge when people are inappropriately familiar without an introduction or working relationship. It just smacks of disrespect, IMO.
I don't see any issue with calling someone by their title and name.
Best,
Southern