insignificant complaint...lol

[EDnursetobe]

does it bother anyone else that doctors are always called "Dr. Soandso" but nurses get called by their first name instead of "Ms/Mrs/Mr Nurse"

ok like I said, its a really insignifcant complaint... but it kind of irked me today.

[ebear, BSN, RN]

I don't really care. I've been called a lot worse than my first or last names!

[ShayRN]

I don't like to be called Mrs. I love my mother in law, but when I hear Mrs. I look around for her. I even ask my kid's friends to call me by my first name, I am just more comfortable with that. As far as the docs. I call them Dr. at work, but when I see them out I call them by their first name. (If we are friends, if not, it is still Dr.)

[nola1202]

This kinda fits into the vent on whining pt's. I always feel like a cow is mooing when I hear NUUUUUUUUrSe! I always want to yell back like a fishwife Whaaaat?!!!!!! Seriously I'd fall down laughing if someone called me nurse nola. First names are fine. MD's I notice that the women are often called by first names sooner than the men....? why I wonder. For me calling someone by thier first name is a compliment, I feel comfortable with you, it is not a put down. What made me laugh when I first moved down south was being called Miss Noel. I was about 23 years old and I'm being called miss by people older than me.

[nola1202]

I don't really care. I've been called a lot worse than my first or last names!

[ebear, BSN, RN]

I'm from the Deep South, "Miss Nola"...get used to it! :kiss

[jabroadwater]

Our name tags don't have out last names on them either, in fact, I can opt to use my nickname as opposed to my given name (ie, Jimmy for James) on my badge.

I personally prefer the use of the first name. It creates for a more relaxed, and personable atmosphere. I know that we all complain about the needy-clingy patients that are always asking for things, but there are those patients who have needs, and are too timid to ask for them, thinking that we are too busy and they don't want to be a bother. I think those "starched whites and caps" and calling me Nurse So-and-So perpetuate that impression. Being able to call me JIMMY takes me out of the realm of the unapproachable medical professional, which they get enough of with the doctors, and puts me more on their level and makes them more comfortable in asking me to help them meet their needs.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

In the UK we call Dr's by their first name

[DixieRedHead, ASN, RN]

I don't care what they call me ask long as they don't call me. (It's a joke don't get your knickers in a twist). Seriously, I call all doctors "Doctor". Makes life easy.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

i remember how pleased i was to receive documentation of a consult on one of my patients written by my favorite and best spine surgeon. he noted that the patient was referred for second opinion by nurse grntea, and later on noted that nurse tea was present for the examination and explanation of the findings to the patient. this is a doc who really respects nurses and i appreciate his collegiality.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

In my hospital, nurses are referred to as Ms. VICEDRN or Nurse VICEDRN. The residents will occasionally call me by my first name and I respond in kind by referring to them as their first name.

We also wear white.

How's that tickle your fancy?

[kids]

When I started in nursing we wore whites and caps and were called Nurse or simply .

Nurses complained that whites were hard to keep clean and were too institutional.

Nurses complained that caps were a hassle, outdated and some study showed they can spread germs.

Nurses complained that the use of last names was a violation of their privacy and was too formal.

Welcome to the modern face of nursing.

We've got exactly what those who went before asked for.

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

It is hard to be thought of as a professional when you are treated this way. Calling nurses by their first name takes away any semblance of respect for our profession. Other professions wouldn't dream of this, unless they are waitresses, cashiers, etc., but any degreed professional would expect to be addressed as such.

I don't think I have ever met a Respiratory Therapist, Physical Therapist, CPA, or you-name-it-professional who insisted on being called something other than their first name. And that fact takes nothing away from the respect I give them. In fact, the only other professionals that I can think of (other than doctors) that have a "title" are police officers and judges/politicians. But those are professions that by definition, don't involve personal relationships. A police officer isn't going to tell someone they just arrested "don't worry, you can call me Bob." I still hold the opinion that in the medical profession a personal relationship founded on trust is the most important factor for giving good medical care. Otherwise you have a patient who didn't dare mention that she has been seeing bugs on the wall and hearing violins since surgery until 5 days later. Not to turn this into a debate or anything