Does it bother you when Nurses or hospital staff talk to their patients like their 4 years old?? I am a very new nurse and I am picking up habits as I go along, some good and unfortunatley some bad. My patients are generally sedated and I have watched so many nurses talk to thier patient almost in a baby voice, saying things like "honey, sweetheart, darlin, sugar" and even some nurses who refer to their patients as "my love". I totally understand that these are endearing names, and the nurses who do this are certainly not intending to offend someone. I dont think I would mind if staff talked to me this way however I can also see how this would come off as offensive to the patient or belittling. I am doing my best to catch myself if I do this. So, my question is, would this be offensive to you? And do you speak to your patients this way?
I've found most patients respond positively to the treatment.
When you look back, when we've been sick, it's mainly been our moms who have treated us. This was always accompanied by terms of endearment.
There is nothing wrong with sticking to your guns either. You can give it a try. If they respond positively, they're probably latching on to it. If they seem combative, they aren't taking it well; it's not rocket science :/
Not safe to make assumptions.... At all.
I got the keys to the house at age 6, and told to read the prescription myself at age 8... If someone got all cutesy with me, I'd wish them to encounter large fleas in their armpits.
If they get combative, uh....kinda late :) How about, maybe should ask them, or their family what they prefer to be called ???
i believe it totally depends on the situation. i work w/ dementia pts who are on hospice. not one of them would have a clue who i was talking to if i addressed them as "mrs. last name", and sometimes i can't even get a response from "mrs. first name". "hon" or "sweet one" will occasionally bring a smile.
now, i would never address a pt a&o x3 by anything but a proper name. you just have to use your judgement.....whatever makes the pt comfortable.
good point- a little old lady with dementia may not remember her married name at all.
the most important point....the patient's preferences :)
if the patient can't answer, is there a family member around op? i know you said hospital, but families will stay with loved ones- can always ask them :)
this has some up a few times in this forum and i've made it a point to notice what i do. Since I work with kids as a school nurse, it comes out of my mouth pretty frequently with the kids. I have noticed that it's pretty rare for me when dealing with adults and at my pd hospital job.
Does it bother you when Nurses or hospital staff talk to their patients like their 4 years old?? I am a very new nurse and I am picking up habits as I go along, some good and unfortunatley some bad. My patients are generally sedated and I have watched so many nurses talk to thier patient almost in a baby voice, saying things like "honey, sweetheart, darlin, sugar" and even some nurses who refer to their patients as "my love". I totally understand that these are endearing names, and the nurses who do this are certainly not intending to offend someone. I dont think I would mind if staff talked to me this way however I can also see how this would come off as offensive to the patient or belittling. I am doing my best to catch myself if I do this. So, my question is, would this be offensive to you? And do you speak to your patients this way?
Chelsea
I have a co-worker who does this. She comes across as very insincere and child-like herself. Not impressive or reassuring AT ALL....
Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.
I've called my patients "sweetie", "baby", etc. in the past---but they were newborns. Personally, the ONLY ones I want calling me any of those names are those who know and love me. As a patient, especially when alert & oriented as I usually am if/when a patient, I prefer my first name, or my "Mrs.", not terms such as "sweetie" as they usually come off as demeaning rather than supportive. Of course, I suppose that could change if I'm ever unable to comprehend what is being said. My point is-- not all patients desire to be called anything but their names, for whatever reasons, and we need to respect that.
I used to do it all the time with my confused patients.
I told my patient who would not sleep and kept trying to get OOB to go 'Nighty nights". But I think that has more to do with the fact I am the mother to a small child.
Some people regress when they're sick, in my experience this is especially true for young men. You need to individualize your treatment for each patient, but if you've got a 25 year old manchild that's acting like a baby, you might get better results from him if you treat him sort of child like.
As they get better (hopefully) they'll snap out if it and you can treat them normally again.
My opinion is that it's all about end-results. If you find something that works, stick with it until you find something that works better.
I agree with the above poster on this one. As a woman, if another female Nurse (unless she was WAY older than me) was caring for me and kept calling me, "sweetie" I would be ******. I was in line at the grocery store the other day, and a woman in her early twenties (MY AGE) called me "sweetie". I wanted to slap her. BUT some people, like "manchildren" need that kind of sweet talk. I do the baby talk thing with my significant other, especially when he's sick he eats it up. Maybe it is a man thing.
Does it bother you when Nurses or hospital staff talk to their patients like their 4 years old?? I am a very new nurse and I am picking up habits as I go along, some good and unfortunatley some bad. My patients are generally sedated and I have watched so many nurses talk to thier patient almost in a baby voice, saying things like "honey, sweetheart, darlin, sugar" and even some nurses who refer to their patients as "my love". I totally understand that these are endearing names, and the nurses who do this are certainly not intending to offend someone. I dont think I would mind if staff talked to me this way however I can also see how this would come off as offensive to the patient or belittling. I am doing my best to catch myself if I do this. So, my question is, would this be offensive to you? And do you speak to your patients this way?
Chelsea
I do not all my pts by these terms. If I were the pt and someone said this too me, I would not really care for it, but I don't think I would say that I was necessarily "offended." We have a doc in our ER who will say something to the effect of "you will be fine sweetheart" to the pt, even if she is a 35 yr old female. It would definitely make some pt's feel wierd and some would be offended.
There is nothing wrong with sticking to your guns either. You can give it a try. If they respond positively, they're probably latching on to it. If they seem combative, they aren't taking it well; it's not rocket science :/
I'm not sure how calling someone 'sweetie' is "sticking with your guns."
Also, it seems like a really, really bad idea to upset pts. to the point that they become compative. Plus, I don't think it is good nursing practice to think that you will call them cutesie names until they become combative and then treat the situation with an "oh well, I guess they don't like that." That part is definitely not rocket science.
I agree with the above poster on this one. As a woman, if another female Nurse (unless she was WAY older than me) was caring for me and kept calling me, "sweetie" I would be ******. I was in line at the grocery store the other day, and a woman in her early twenties (MY AGE) called me "sweetie". I wanted to slap her. BUT some people, like "manchildren" need that kind of sweet talk. I do the baby talk thing with my significant other, especially when he's sick he eats it up. Maybe it is a man thing.
"Manchildren"....................:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:.........I never knew there was a name for this, but I know exactly what you are talking about!!!!
Personally, the ONLY ones I want calling me any of those names are those who know and love me. As a patient, especially when alert & oriented as I usually am if/when a patient, I prefer my first name, or my "Mrs.", not terms such as "sweetie" as they usually come off as demeaning rather than supportive. Of course, I suppose that could change if I'm ever unable to comprehend what is being said. My point is-- not all patients desire to be called anything but their names, for whatever reasons, and we need to respect that..thumb.gif.fd20b3788f0df73f6eac647e4c07d103.gif){kind=small}
he eats it up. Maybe it is a man thing.
:lol2:
RNperdiem, RN
4,592 Posts
Using endearments is something you can either get away with or not; it depends on you.