First name or surname?

[Scooter321]

This wannabe nurse is curious. I've read a few things on this site that lead me to believe a nurse doesn't typically go by his/her surname while at work. I understand that using your first name comes across as friendly and probably puts a patient at ease. What puzzles me a bit though are the comments to the effect that most nurses don't even want their surname known. A security issue, perhaps? I don't get why it is any different to doctors using their surnames, and I've yet to have an M.D. be introduced to me (a patient) by a first name. What gives? Or are the "don't show your surname" people in the minority?

[flightnurse2b, LPN]

do you mean introducing yourself as "i'm jane doe, and i'll be your nurse today." as opposed to "i'm jane, and i'll be your nurse today."? i don't think i have ever worked with any nurse who has introduced themself using their last name. i havent graduated yet, but in years of working pre-hospital and in-hospital as a medic, i never, ever, ever give out my last name. its always covered on my badge. people are too crazy. i dont need anyone looking up my phone number, address, credit history, myspace page, or whatever.

[James Huffman]

Any nurse who refuses to provide a surname to clients has forever forfeited any claim to be a professional.

Part of being a professional involves providing (except under the rarest of circumstances) a disclosure of identity.

Try imagining an attorney introducing herself by first name only: "I'm Jane, and I'm your attorney."

Or a judge: "I'm Judge Sheila."

The idea is laughable. If nurses want to be considered professionals and want to have an equal seat at the health care table, we must always, always, always be known by our surname. Those who do otherwise demean themselves and their profession.

[llg, PhD, RN]

For most people, they think of it is a security issue. However, there is also a cultural compenent at play that most of us don't think about. The higher people are in social rank, the less likely they are to use only thier first name. Physicians expect to be shown respect by the use of the "Dr." title and last name. They wish to maintain a social distance between themselves and the patient and are socialized into their profession learning that being called "Dr. So-and-So" is a badge of honor, a privilege that one earns.

Nurses are not considered to have much power -- and don't view themselves as being powerful and high up in the hierarchy. Most nurses are not socialized that they should demand that their patients show respect in that way.

Similarly, teachers are taught to establish a distance between themselves and their students -- at least until the graduate school level. Teachers are "higher" than students in the academic hierarchy and students are expected to show respect by using their teacher's last name unless the teacher has said otherwise. They also face security issues, but we'd all think it was pretty bizarre for a student not to know the last name of their teacher. Think about that.

On a related note: There has been some discussion on this board by people who think it is inappropriate for anyone in the health care environment with a PhD (and not an MD) to use the title "Dr." which they have earned. Their rationale is that only physicians should use that title as to not confuse people.

People say (and think) it is only a security issue. But in reality, there is a lot more going on. Good question.

[SaderNurse05, BSN, RN]

I agree with Allison08. I have been in situations (e.g. mental and prison wards) where I felt it was dangerous to have my last name on a badge. Some patients are great and some are really disturbed. The Interent has casued a loss of privacy that I imagine younger people will never understand, and I do not want to provide any more information than I need to in order to do my job.

[SharonH, RN]

When I am working, I always give not only my full name but my title as well as what my role will be in providing their care. As a healthcare consumer, I have noticed that the person providing my care rarely identifies themself either by name or by what their title is. Most of the time they just say "Ms. H, I'm here to put in your IV or I will be asking you some questions today." And the name tag is usually covered up. I don't appreciate that one bit. I agree that it is a matter of professionalism. I honestly think the fears about security are overblown; if someone really wanted to "get me", all they would have to do is contact nursing administration and ask for the information- and trust me it will be given out.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i disagree ...ever worked psych???

any nurse who refuses to provide a surname to clients has forever forfeited any claim to be a professional.

part of being a professional involves providing (except under the rarest of circumstances) a disclosure of identity.

try imagining an attorney introducing herself by first name only: "i'm jane, and i'm your attorney."

or a judge: "i'm judge sheila."

the idea is laughable. if nurses want to be considered professionals and want to have an equal seat at the health care table, we must always, always, always be known by our surname. those who do otherwise demean themselves and their profession.

[Scooter321]

I'm sure that if and when I get to be a nurse I will do whatever is "the norm" for my facility, but I totally agree about the professional image and hierarchy issues. I know there are a lot of crazies out there, and working in a psych facility might make me change my mind, but I just don't think I would be afraid to use my surname. Doctors do--are they any less of a target? I'd be more than happy to have patients call me by my first name but would like to introduce myself as "Nurse Jane Doe" (if that were my name LOL!) to start with and to write both names and title on the board. I would simply feel more professional. Perhaps I'm just an old fogey.

Thanks, everyone, for your input.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

there are some places that i have worked (psych) you don't even get the option to put your last name on your name badge. plus you are told specifically not to give your last name out...

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I have a fairly unusual last name that most people can't pronounce, so I just say "Hi, my name is Arwen & I'll be your nurse today....". My actions speak a lot louder than my words in terms of whether I'm a professional or not. That's MHO.

[Freedom42]

I don't understand what degree of security is afforded to someone who declines to reveal his or her last name to a patient. That patient already knows who you are and where you work. At the risk of sounding crass, if they truly want a confrontation, all they have to do is wait in the parking lot. (That said, I kept my name and address out of the phone book for years when I had a high-profile job.)

As a consumer, I expect to know exactly who I'm dealing with, and I'm the kind of person who always asks for that person's full name. Yup, I take notes. I'm sure I'll one day be referred to as the patient from hell. But I think it's presumputous to expect anyone to accept medication or other treatment from a stranger, no questions asked, simply because his or her badge says, "Jane, RN." And I expect a professional who takes pride in her work to take accountability for that work -- by fully identifying herself.

I agree with llg: There's much more going on here than security. None of the doctors at my local hospital go by "Tammie, MD." No one would take them seriously if they did. But it sure is a convenient practice for hospital administrators with an agenda of suppressing nurses' status and wages, isn't it?

[James Huffman]

i disagree ...ever worked psych???

i sure did. i stand by my statement. a nurse who refuses to provide a client with her full name is not a professional, but a cog in a hospital wheel.