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?

[LeesieBug]

In our hospital, I do find the absence of my last name on my badge insulting. If their argument is safety, why on earth does one's last name suddenly pop up on the badge if they achieve a position of charge nurse or supervisor? It amazes me that suddenly administration becomes less concerned about the individual's "safety" when an employee achieves a position of authority.....hmm. I definitely feel that this practice reflects a lack of professional respect for ALL nurses working in the hospital.

I agree that having a full name on the badge does denote a certain level of professionalism. Also, I'll admit that I felt extremely deflated the first time I saw my shiny, new badge for my first nursing job, after all my hard work, and it simply said Suzy Q. RN.

I work in an emergency department with all kinds of colorful people. I knew when I took the job that there was an inherent risk involved in dealing with this patient population....I really don't feel that having my full name on my badge raises these risks. If someone wants to harass me its going to happen, regardless.

OP, thanks for raising an interesting point to ponder.

[mcknis]

To those of you who have never been threatened, slapped, kicked, bit, intimidated or stalked by a pt (no matter the medical circumstance), distancing yourself from a pt is the best thing you can do. I know many of you may have never worked psych, prison wards, Alzheimers units, or other "risky" (locked) units, but after you do, I am sure you will be much more aware of your surroundings, and will choose to keep any info hidden to those kinds of pts. Although I do not frequently work psych, I have been there before, and have been threatened by pts from that ward. Also, on the unit I work (med-surg), we frequently see many of the same psych pts with acute med conditions. (Our psych pts are not allowed to be admitted to the psych unit until medically cleared.)

Even though pts just have to call admin to get any and all public info on you, don't you want to make it harder for those people to get? I do, especially after being placed in those situations. Even if I just place a piece of tape or a sticker over my last name on my badge, that is one more barrier of protection against the unknown.

Please visit this thread for more info on how to protect yourself and your identity.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/how-do-you-protect-your-identity-269383.html

MiketheRN has a lot of great tips!

[kat7ap]

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").

I found this to be a more geographical standard. I went to school and started nursing in Texas and we were also taught to address patients as Mr. and Ms. That was the standard unless the pt. requested otherwise. However when I moved to Washington state, most staff members addressed patients by their first names and that was acceptable. I think in the South it is more common to find those formalities such as Mr. and Ms., Sir and Ma'm.

[James Huffman]

I found this to be a more geographical standard. I went to school and started nursing in Texas and we were also taught to address patients as Mr. and Ms. That was the standard unless the pt. requested otherwise. However when I moved to Washington state, most staff members addressed patients by their first names and that was acceptable. I think in the South it is more common to find those formalities such as Mr. and Ms., Sir and Ma'm.

I think you're on the mark, but I think it's changing, even in the South.

However, this still comes to the question of professionalism. One of the problems I have with a first-name basis is that it blurs the boundaries between provider (us) and patient. It's important -- for many reasons -- to keep that boundary firm. Assuming a first name basis makes keeping the boundary harder.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I think you're on the mark, but I think it's changing, even in the South.

However, this still comes to the question of professionalism. One of the problems I have with a first-name basis is that it blurs the boundaries between provider (us) and patient. It's important -- for many reasons -- to keep that boundary firm. Assuming a first name basis makes keeping the boundary harder.

I agree. I don't like all this informality. On the other hand, where I live it's the norm and even older people seem to prefer it. I still use last names, however. Actually, I find them easier to remember, plus I like the old fashioned ring to it.

[mcknis]

Yes the older ones do enjoy the last name respect, but we are in a day where one can not assume too much. Safety is not something I like playing with. You are either going to be safe or you are not. There is no comparison in the two schools of thought, and everyone will just continue to have their own opinion of the subject until you are thrown in to the deep end. I hope no one else on these forums has to face the same situations that others of us have faced.