Nicknames unprofessional?

Nurses Professionalism

Published

  1. Are nicknames (or shortened names) professional?

    • 45
      Yes
    • 73
      No
    • 33
      Depends - See comment

151 members have participated

Hello all, I figured I would make this a poll so I can see the results rather than scroll through many comments (however comments are appreciated also!)

So my name is Richard, I am usually never called Richard, but usually Richie, or Rich.

Personally I prefer Richie, because IMO that is what is fitting of my personality. However I have had two people tell me it was ''unprofessional'' to be referred to as Richie instead of Richard.

One woman who told me was a worker at a label making shop. I am also 21 so maybe there is some age bias. She told me that it was a ''baby name''. If I was mid 40's I wonder if she'd say that.

So anyways, without further adieu, is my nickname(s) Richie/ Rich unprofessional?

Specializes in Pedi.

I made the mistake with the poll as well because the question leading up to the poll was "is my nickname unprofessional?" which is the question I was answering when I clicked no.

I have never met a Richard who goes by "Richard". Heck, our last Vice President went by "Dick" in his professional life.

I worked with many Jennifers and Jessicas, none of whom ever went by their full name. Same with other names like Deborah, Judith, Cecilia. I worked with surgeons who were Ed and Ben as opposed to Edward and Benjamin. Again, just names that almost everyone with that name uses a nickname. I see nothing wrong with nicknames as long as they're not completely outrageous... Like, if your nickname is "Cookie", I don't know that I'd go by that at work, but Rich for Richard is perfectly fine.

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Add me to the "I read the poll question incorrectly" list. In my family we have a James who goes by Jim, a Richard who goes by Dick (some people call him Rich), and 2 Stevens who both go by Steve. I don't even consider those nicknames -- they're derivatives of their given names.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I voted wrong as well. They are professional.

I have been going by my "healthcare nickname" for twelve-thirteen years...they either call me by my first name or the nickname; they are interchangeable, because my nickname is the meaning of my name. No issues.

I like my "healthcare nickname" so much, it crossed into my personal life about five years ago. It fits me and my personality professionally and personally. :)

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

Add me to the "answered the poll wrong" group. I see noting at all wrong with nicknames at work unless they're hurtful or embarrassing.

I was named for my Great Grandmother, who was Katherine, but she was called "Kit." At various times in my life, I have been Kit, Katie, and Kathy. I answer to any of them. This many years later, when I hear "Katherine...", I think of my fifth grade teacher and wonder what I've done wrong this time. I've had all the above versions on my nametag.

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I read the question in the poll box so I think I answered correctly - yes, shortened names or nicknames are professional.

To the OP - you probably got that comment from someone who also thinks women over 40 should have short hair, not long hair.

;)

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

Our medical director has a hard to pronounce last name and encourages everyone from nurses to patients to call him Dr X(being the first letter of his last name)

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Specializes in APRN, ACNP-BC, CNOR, RNFA.

I'm Kimberly, prefer to go by Kim, but everyone in my dept. calls me Kimbo. Why? I have no idea.

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I'm called 'trouble' by close nursing friends and the orderlies mainly due to the fact of my history at the hospital as a patient (many presentations) the radiographers/radiologists I'm close with call me darling, Hun, possum or sweetie....no matter who's in front of them.....the DON was with me and they still did it.

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Marked mine wrong also... Richie is fine to use at work... Richard for resume as others have said.

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Not sure what is unprofessional about a nickname, especially if it a shortened version of your given name. I could see if you were calling yourself something like "Spanky" or "Tiny." I have known a "Sunshine," a "Sunflower", a "Liberty," and a "Treasure" - all given names. Let's not forget the current trends of naming children places - "Dakota," "Brooklyn," "Cheyenne," "Heaven." Are those people unprofessional for using their given names, or is their parents who were unprofessional? Just what we need - one more way to judge each other.

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Specializes in kids.

Oops I voted no instead of yes......

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Ugh the woman who said that to you sounds insufferable!! It's a name. And who asked her opinion on what people call you?

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