Nursing

[Joween]

When I was in nursing college I was taught that the middle finger was your index finger so when I was working as a nurse. I accidentally stuck that finger twice so it had to be documented and the supervisor documented it was the index finger so I wasn't the only one that learned it that way. So what is going on with everyone saying the first finger is the index finger. I and others learned the middle finger was the index finger!!!!

[Joween]

The middle finger is the index finger . other nurses ani learned it that way

[Nurse8204]

Definition of index finger is the finger next to the thumb, the first finger, or forefinger. I've never heard the middle finger referred to as the index finger.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

The first digit is the thumb, followed by index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger or pinky.

As per Wikipedia

Finger - Wikipedia

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Nope. The index finger and the bird are two different fingers.

You did not learn differently in nursing college..

[LovingLife123]

I've never heard of the middle finger being called the index finger. And I'm over 35.

[Wuzzie]

The middle finger is the index finger . other nurses ani learned it that way

Unfortunately you learned it incorrectly. No matter how many times you insist that you are correct you simply aren't. Feel free to stick to your guns but don't expect to change any of our minds.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

The index finger is your first finger, the one between your thumb and middle finger. Children learn this in pre-school. It has nothing to do with nursing, it's common knowledge that your first finger is your index finger.

[klone, MSN, RN]

The middle finger is the "swear finger". That's legit what it's actually called in the anatomy textbooks.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Nope. The index finger and the bird are two different fingers.

You did not learn differently in nursing college..

And you're the expert on finger nomenclature, as evidenced by your avatar!

[elkpark]

When I was in nursing college I was taught that the middle finger was your index finger so when I was working as a nurse. I accidentally stuck that finger twice so it had to be documented and the supervisor documented it was the index finger so I wasn't the only one that learned it that way. So what is going on with everyone saying the first finger is the index finger. I and others learned the middle finger was the index finger!!!!

I've been in nursing over 30 years, and alive a lot longer than that, and I've never heard the middle finger referred to as the index finger (which has always been the finger next to the thumb), in nursing or anywhere else.

[Davey Do]

Years ago, I learned from the book There's a Word For It that the middle finger is also referred to as the "dactylion".

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