Nursing Admissions/Admitting Nurse In Gay Marriage States

[DoGoodThenGo]

As gay marriage will now be legal as of this Sunday in NYS my mind wondered about something.

In states where such things are already legal do hospitals has admitting personnel/paper work switched to the more general query regarding "spouse" rather than the old fashioned "husband" or "wife"?

[Always_Learning, BSN, RN]

Wouldn't they still be considered a husband or wife if they are legally married?

Only if they are not able to marry have I heard folks refer to their significant other as their partner.

[alan headbloom]

A male's legal partner is his husband. A female's legal partner is her wife. "Spouse" would be simpler for forms if it doesn't matter the gender.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

We should always say partner, to everyone, regardless. I recommend crossing out whatever nomenclature appears on paperwork and replacing it with "partner" in all instances.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

We should always say partner, to everyone, regardless. I recommend crossing out whatever nomenclature appears on paperwork and replacing it with "partner" in all instances.

I think "partner" is too vague. "Husband," "wife," or "spouse" implies the legal right to information, etc., if the patient is unable to ask questions or receive information (next of kin). Someone who is a "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" might consider themselves a "partner," but do not have the same rights.

I think "spouse," "husband," or "wife" would be appropriate. "Gay marriage" or not, doesn't change whether someone is a husband or wife, right?

[an2on, BSN, RN]

Definitely not husband and wife... (this response is coming from the source)

[heartflutter, ADN, BSN]

I think "spouse" would be appropriate because it's already in common use and carries the legal connotation. It is also respectful of those who do not feel comfortable using gendered terms like "husband" and "wife".

On another note, way to go New York! I'm still excited about the great strides they made for equal rights. :)

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

"Partner" is the preferred nomenclature. It should become universal because it's ambiguity assumes nothing.

[lckrn2pa]

Maybe they can use the title my better half has......designated check casher and financial utilization coordinator. She pretty good at her job too.

[MunoRN, RN]

We use "Spouse/Significant Other" as the same interchangeable term on admission where I work. At least by our state law, it doesn't matter if a significant other is legally married or not since our order of Medical decision making rights goes: 1) Spouse 2)Significant Other 3)Adult child, etc. Whether legally married thy still have primary decision making rights, and as far as I know there are no differences in disclosure of information; whether a spouse or significant other the same privacy rules apply.

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

I've almost always used "SO" in my documentation - even when describing heterosexual relationships. I'll occassionally throw "spouse". I rarely use 'husband/wife'.

cheers,

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I've almost always used "SO" in my documentation - even when describing heterosexual relationships. I'll occassionally throw "spouse". I rarely use 'husband/wife'.

cheers,

Same here.

Even when speaking with patients I always ask if they have a significant other in case of an emergency and then they say oh my husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/booty call, etc. Then I just go with whatever they say. When documenting thought I don't use husband or wife. I more likely would use spouse though instead of significant other.