How do you address nurses with a PhD?

Extra Pickles · Dec 7, 2016

I usually ask how the person likes to be addressed. Matter of fact, don't belabor the question, just ask. When in doubt, use the formal title until he or she tells you differently.

Tenebrae, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2016

By their first name perhaps?

Emergent, RN · Dec 7, 2016

"Hey you!"

CelticGoddess, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2016

I know their official title is "Dr. X" since they have a doctorate degree, but it seems confusing in a clinical setting... at the same time I don't want to be disrespectful. Any nurses here have any insights?

My cousin, who has a PhD in nursing either goes by her first name (I'll call her Jane Doe) Jane or Mrs. Doe. She prefers that to Dr. Doe. When I get my PhD I'll go by my first name or Mrs. CelticGoddess. It totally depends on the person. Just ask.

I just realized our CNO has PhD and we refer to her by her first name only. She will correct us if we call her Mrs. CNO

Asystole RN · Dec 7, 2016

Depends on the setting and in what fashion they are presenting themselves.

In the educational or administrative setting it is professional to address them as Dr. Last Name. In the clinical setting around patients you can address them as Dr. Last Name as long as there is an additional qualifier to their position. I use a qualifier for all the physicians as well, "Dr. Last Name, your Oncologist" for example.

As always, when personally interacting with someone ask how they prefer to be addressed.

Many doctorate level professionals will ask that they are not addressed by the title to show humility but it is a professional courtesy to acknowledge their educational achievement.

elkpark · Dec 8, 2016

One thing I learned from years in academic medical centers -- you can never go wrong by calling someone (pretty much anyone) "Dr. So-and-so." Much better to have someone correct you by saying, "Oh, no, please just call me Jane," than to call people you don't know by their first name and get the withering glare and, "That's Dr. So-and-so ..." :)

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 8, 2016

I only make my kids call me 'doctor'.

True story.

verene, MSN · Dec 8, 2016

Several of my instructors have Ph.Ds. Most have asked us to address them by the first names. One is completely comfortable being addressed by her first name but most students and other faculty tend to address her as either "Dr. Surname" or "Professor Surname," I think out of respect for her incredible contributions to nursing research and nursing education. It probably also helps she no longer works in the clinical setting so there is less room for confusion.

I typically error on the side of more formal address unless told otherwise, but when in doubt, ask how someone would like to be addressed.

AliNajaCat · Dec 8, 2016

My daughter has a PhD in her field (not nursing). She's Dr. Smartypants, and nobody argues over whether they should call her that. Why do we?

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 8, 2016

I work in a culture where most people (including many physicians and administrators) go by their first names. So I go by my first name. I only use the "Dr." title when there is a special reason to. (Special reasons are rare, but often involve uppitty med students, therapists, or pharmacists who are trying to put nurses down for being less educated.)

I teach part time at a university where it is common for undergraduate students to call the faculty "professor ..." or "Ms., Mr. or Mrs. ...." but that graduate students use first names to demonstrate that we are all nurses and colleagues first and foremost.

cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 9, 2016

In the academic setting, as a graduate student I always call my teachers "Dr. Soandso" or "Professor Soandso" but they almost always ask me to call them by their first names (and after that time I will do so). If we are in the presence of undergraduate students or non-nurse I will use the "Dr" or "Professor" honorific first. In the clinical setting, I don't often say "Dr" in the presence of patients because it can be confusing for them and ends up being a huge hassle (and most faculty do not want to deal with the headache either).

!Chris :specs: