Legal Name vs. Preferred Name

Published

I have a question and was wondering if anyone has had experience with this. My legal name is on all of my documentation, however my preferred name is my middle name which is not on any documents (it was on my childhood school records but we dropped it off a long time ago). I understand I have to go through everything with my legal name, will this pose a problem in the future though after I am licensed? Will I have to go by my legal name or will I have to do a legal name change in order to continue to go by my preferred name? My question is I guess, will I have to use my legal name or could people still call me by my unofficial middle name?

Note, middle names are not listed on SSN, ergo SS will not add my middle name to my documentation, I have already asked.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

There is no reason that I know of for not being able to go by your middle name, provided that you sign all documentation with your legal name. I am frequently referred to by my middle name as I share the same name with another nurse in my specialty. However, I am identified in our computerized record as "first-name last-name" and sign all of my documentation that way as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank You! That answers my question perfectly!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR 35 years; crosstrained ER/ICU/PACU.

My most recent employer, a huge hospital system, did allow us to have nicknames on our photo ID's, & to use our nicknames in conversation, introducing ourselves to patients, family, etc. We did have to use our legal names to sign charts & documents, which makes sense. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment