I'm going to be working out of the hospital for the first time and in an elementary school and was wondering how you normally have students address you?
I have a hard to say hyphenated name and in NICU world, I always introduced myself to parents as by my first name and that I was the nurse taking care of their child.
When I did a stint in pediatrics I introduced myself to the children as "Nurse FIRST NAME."
I know that titles and formality are more common in schools but even the administrator who hired me can't seem to say my last name so was just curious if most people go by Mr/Ms. Last Name. If so, does anyone else have harder to say names and how do they handle that??
Looking forward to having this board and I wade into unfamiliar waters ....
I go by Mrs. Lastname but I am in the high school. Our elementary nurses go by Nurse Firstname. I also don't Loire being called "nurse" . The teachers are the worst at that and when they do it I just quit calling them their name and start calling them "teacher". They catch on í ½í¸œ And I like most of my teachers so we have a good laugh.
I'm Usually Nurse last name, or mrs. last name or just nurse - i'm going to steal Old Dude's bit of replying to "nurse" with "student". Haha
The special ed classes and autistic programs tend to call me Nurse first name - but most of their staff goes by Miss Heather and Miss Bonnie they even call the bosses Mr. first name and Dr.first name so i don't really care. To be honest, i'd rather just go by Nurse first name overall
In the hospital, I prefer just Oranges (first name). I refuse to respond to the A&O x4 patient screaming "Nurse!" down the hall. Not my name. I had a guy last week who insisted on yelling "Hey, Girl" every time I was in earshot. I re-educated him right quick. Nope.
In the high school, I was usually "Nurse" or "Nursey" to the kiddos (which I have been told is a black cultural thing? Most of my kiddos, parents and staff are AA, inner city...IDK, I had never heard that before, but didn't mind. I take it as a term of endearment...)
It honestly pisses me off when teachers and admins call me "Nurse." I actually have a name. It's on my jacket and my paycheck. My jacket is quite visible, every day, and clearly states "Oranges Last Name, BSN, RN, CCRN." Use it. I don't address you or refer to you as "Teacher," "Security Guard," "Guidance Counselor," or "Secretary." I don't walk into your office and say, "Principal, I have a concern."
When I worked per diem in a boarding school, I was told that I had to be Ms Last Name. I would have much preferred to just go by my first name- when I was in high school, we called our school nurse Tina and in all other jobs, my pediatric patients and their parents have just called me by my first name.
I work elementary and am Nurse Firstname or Mrs. Lastname or sometimes just Nurse by the students but I don't really mind because it's not like I always get the chance to introduce myself with any name. They are sweet and respectful and if I told them to call me a name, I know they would. There's just not always a chance to. One of my students who I work with every day calls me by my first name but that is also what he does with his aide so I never questioned it. However my (older) supervisor has an issue with the fact that some of my students have come in and asked "where is 'the girl'" or "where is firstname" so I suppose for this school year I should set some guidelines!
Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.
I'm not an RN, but I'm a CMA. I'm the school's medical assistant, it says on the paperwork, email and every official thing in this school. But to the kids and staff, "Nurse, school nurse" or Ms. [Last name]. The kinder kids call me, "doctor" which is funny. But I always introduce myself as medical aide to parents, professionals and doctor's offices.
And yes I tried correcting them, but it never works.
I am going to college for nursing, just need to finish the pre-requirements for the programs. :3
The students (and some faculty!) have a tough time with my last name, so I allow them to call me "Nurse V". It's easy to say, to remember, and everyone is happy!
Specializes in Pediatrics, Hematology Oncology, School Nurse.
Everyone calls me "Nurse" or "Nurse FirstName". I was very active on the school PTA prior to becoming the nurse (both of my daughters are students) and everyone called me Miss FirstName then, so it seemed like an easier transition in what I was called.
peacockblue
293 Posts
I go by Mrs. Lastname but I am in the high school. Our elementary nurses go by Nurse Firstname. I also don't Loire being called "nurse" . The teachers are the worst at that and when they do it I just quit calling them their name and start calling them "teacher". They catch on í ½í¸œ And I like most of my teachers so we have a good laugh.