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?

[Scooter321]

We all need to understand the consequences of being one of the few professions that chooses to use only our first names with the public -- regardless of the reasons that we make that choice. It lowers us in the hierarchy of professionals and contributes to a subconscious sense that we are somehow "less than" physicians, teachers, lawyers, etc. Combined with the fact that we are often in less formal clothes than those other professionals and have lower educational standards than those other professionals, etc. ... it contributes to our image of being lower level employees and not autonomous professionals worthy of the same respect and compensation.

I agree with your post 100%, and this paragraph in particular states exactly what I was getting at (but you put it so much more elegantly than I could ).

[NursingAgainstdaOdds]

I am personally disappointed that nurses don't tend to use their surname. I think it would be much more professional to be referred to as "Nurse Smith". There's a lot of disagreement on the subject *dons flame-retardant suit* that's just how I feel. The only time I've ever heard a nurse introduce herself as "Nurse Smith" was a nurse calling from a maximum security prison about one of my patients.

I personally hate having to say "My name is X, and I'll be your nurse today", it's absolutely no wonder they treat us like wait staff.

[jessiern, BSN, RN]

Have you ever noticed when we go in a patients room, even after the doctor leaves, they tell us things they haven't told other medical professionals. Sometimes the facts patients have confided only in me or a fellow nurse is very important, and the doctor needs to know for effective treatment. I feel that is because our use for the most part of our "first name" feels less formal, makes us more approachable and trustworthy in the eyes of the patient.

My husband works as a physical therapist. I one facility he worked, the PTs were encouraged to use a more formal title Mr. SoandSo. In his current position as a department leader he uses only his first name to communicate with patients, doctors, and other staff. He is a very respected member of the medical community, and doctors very much value his opinion. Patients talk more openly to him he has told me when they know him just by first name.

So, basically I am saying it is not about what you introduce yourself as, but ho professionly you present yourselfl.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

Many nurses don't address even their older patients by their surnames, but call them 'Edith' or 'Ralph', or even worse 'Honey' or 'Dear'.

[James Huffman]

Many nurses don't address even their older patients by their surnames, but call them 'Edith' or 'Ralph', or even worse 'Honey' or 'Dear'.

And all of us were taught -- in nursing school -- not to do that. Unless someone specifically tells us to, we should address patients by title ("Mrs. Jones" or "Mr. Smith").

And except under unusual circumstances (perhaps, say, someone who's completely out of it) we should not address someone as "honey" or "dear" or whatever.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

And all of us were taught -- in nursing school -- not to do that. Unless someone specifically tells us to, we should address patients by title ("Mrs. Jones" or "Mr. Smith").

And except under unusual circumstances (perhaps, say, someone who's completely out of it) we should not address someone as "honey" or "dear" or whatever.

"All of us"? Can you cite documetation supporting that statement?

[RNperdiem, RN]

Often I go by both my names when we have multiple nurses with the same first name working at the same time. I come from a generation where every other girl was named Nicole, Jennifer, Michelle,or Tracy. The older ladies have a lot of Sues, Pams, Lindas and Karens who use last names to distinguish themselves.

I wonder if there is a link between what I hear about increasing disrespect nurses feel they receive from patients and family, and the name issue? Could first names make us a little too approachable?

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

"All of us"? Can you cite documetation supporting that statement?

I can't document "all" but I was certainly taught NOT to do that in nursing school.

However, at my local rural hospital, where we know almost everyone and people are frequent flyers, those endearments slip out.

I always said if JHACO or anyone else had a problem with it - I would just tell them I'm related to the patient. And it would probably be true as my dh is related to just about everyone who lives here.

I completely respect and agree with llg . . . . . however I still think this is a minor issue regarding professionalism. In my small rural town, docs and lawyers and cops and teachers and just about everyone goes by their first name. And it doesn't lessen my respect for them.

steph

[Plagueis]

Many teachers (counselors, lawyers, etc.) have been the victims of violence from the people they encounter in the workplace. And yet ... those other professional women still use their last names.

We all need to understand the consequences of being one of the few professions that chooses to use only our first names with the public -- regardless of the reasons that we make that choice. It lowers us in the hierarchy of professionals and contributes to a subconscious sense that we are somehow "less than" physicians, teachers, lawyers, etc. Combined with the fact that we are often in less formal clothes than those other professionals and have lower educational standards than those other professionals, etc. ... it contributes to our image of being lower level employees and not autonomous professionals worthy of the same respect and compensation.

But I come back to the question I posed in my earlier post: Can you imagine how you would feel if your child's school teacher would not tell you his/her last name? Why do you feel they are less entitled to privacy/protection at work than you are?

You have made some good points about naming choices among the professions. I can totally understand safety reasons for nurses in certain specialties to not reveal their last names, but, as I wondered in another thread, why should nursing be the only profession where they can choose to not reveal their last names? Women of any profession can be stalked, such as teachers, counselors, doctors, or lawyers, but I know the first and last names of my child's teachers and doctors, for example, and they advertise this to the public.

Also, nurses can be stalked by coworkers or supervisors, so should we not reveal our surnames to them as well? As I also posted before, I've had to take out a restraining order in the past, and it was against someone I knew, so we are not even safe from people we know, either. Patients can also be potentially stalked by nurses and doctors, so should patients be free to not reveal their last names to their nurses and doctors?

It is also revealing that I have never heard a doctor referred to by her first name only, but nurses are where I work. Even when a nurse knows the doctor personally, she calls the doctor "Dr," but then refers to her fellow nurses by their first name only. This also happens in the ER when I have been taken there; the doctor gives me her title, followed by her first and last name, but the nurses only by their first. I can understand why in this particular area (ER) this happens, but why don't doctors in the ER use their first name only, if the reasoning for nurses is safety?

[justme1972]

I'll be honest, it wouldn't bother me if a patient knew my first, middle, last, and maiden name. I just think the "security" issue, is just too paranoid. What are they trying to hide?

People have been stalked in ALL professions, and I believe that a doctor is more likely to be the target of an angry former patient than a nurse.

I feel that patients should have a RIGHT to know who is treating them, especially when that person is required to be licensed by the state...just like with any other profession. Even police officers are required to disclose not only their badge number, but their first and last name.

I think introducing yourself to a patient using your first name and calling the patient by their surname is appropriate...because the patient is a client and the staff is there for their needs, and they are paying for those needs....they can take their insurance card somewhere else if they wish.

[CHATSDALE]

if our state inspectors [ltc] overhear you calling a resident by first name you and your facility are written up

professional to professional most of the mds are referred to as dr lastname, esp the foreign doctorts who like a more formal dignified interaction..if there are several mds with same last name the first name is frequently used with title ie: dr eddy or dr sam

esp in certain types of facility such as prison or a mental hosp where you have long term association with the patients and where they have limited contact with opposite sex the patient will frequently develop a fixation on one particular nurse which can lead to some pretty hairy situations, but in these patients probably know a lot about you anyway including marital status, interests things you pick up with talking with someone every day

a generation or so ago nurses were expected to address each other in a formal manner: ms smith, mr jones...even if you worked on same unit with best friend the ptb frowned on first names usage..now the times and acceped behavior have changed

once i was in a hospital where everyone wore badges with STAFF FIRST NAME no idea of position nurse, housekeeper, maintence etc wore same badge with a smaller number below name i guess for complaints

i have no preference, you can treat a person with or without respect depending on expression, tone of voice, general manner

[mianders, RN]

The last ER I worked in did not put your last name on your badge. This was done for security reasons. This was a very busy ER and had some very abusive patients come through it. There were threats made against the staff on many occasions. We had to have security in the ER 24 hours/day. It would be wonderful if all of worked in an environment that was secure enough that we could do the professional thing and put our last names on our badge.