Pet Peeve

[MadNursePa]

My biggest pet peeve is when nurses call geriatric patients "honey" or "sweetie". If you get a chance, speak to these patients and learn about them. You'll find that some are ww2 veterans, some are retired md's, some are authors, police officers, mothers, fathers, grandparents, scientists, astronauts. The point is, these are smart, intelligent, people who have lived their lives. When you call them these names, it's as if you don't have enough respect to even learn their names. Let's face it, sometimes, we don't have enough time. So, call them M'am or Sir.

Does anyone else feel this way?

[Mulan]

I live in the south and frequently am called honey or sweetie.

I think it's cultural to the region and is not limited to geriatrics and I don't think anything derogatory is meant by it.

[misschiatia]

It depends on the relationship of the nurse to patient. In general, that is not an appropriate way to address a patient you do not have that relationship with. I have seen instances where pet names can be appropriate. I have many resident's that are constantly reminding me not to call them Mr or Mrs so and so. But "honey" and "sweetie" are not popular names of choice among our elders. if you ask them, they usually have much more pertinent pet names from their youth. You are definitely right though, it requires taking the time to know them and gain their trust. It is so worth it if you do.

[Orange Tree]

I never use pet names when I talk to patients, but I have to say that a lot of elderly patients seem to enjoy being called by them.

[GLG78]

I don't call patients "honey" or "sweetie" because I've never called anybody those names; however, sometimes I wish I could. I, too, am an RN in the south and patients and nurses and families call each other those names all the time. In the south, I don't think it is a bad thing. I think it shows closeness and caring. I don't think it is necessarily demeaning. I love it when a patient feels comfortable enough to call me "sweetheart" or "darlin'."

[MadNursePa]

I agree, some patients probabley enjoy the pet names. I work in the ER and I'm referring to the nurses there who use these names without much thought. These patients are essentially strangers.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

I'm with you; where I am it's considered rude. Learn their name. The look of joy when you call an older patient by their name is priceless; especially when everyone else has been calling them sweetie. It shows you took the time to care.

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

I call everyone honey, including friends and family.

[sharpeimom]

i couldn't agree more!

when my great aunt first moved into an alf, one very annoying young nurse persisted in calling her "honey"

"sweetie" "baby doll" among other names and it drove her nuts!

finally she was fed up, and replied."my first name is ____, but you may call me dr. _____. she was a retired orthopedist! she reported to a sister that the look on that young nurse's face was priceless!

she hadn't made it part of her information because she wanted no special tx after moving to be near her

daughter.

[SugarNSpicex3]

I am from the South, and it is true, that most people here do call each other "hun" or "sweetie," but my mother actually brought this up a couple of months ago. She is 48 yrs old and she despises when some 20-something or 30-something calls her "sweetie." She finds it extremely rude and disrespectful. She said she would tolerate it from someone in their 70's or older, but not someone younger than she. While I think that some patients may be ok with it, or even like being called those names, a lot of people find it unprofessional. The patient's name is acceptable all across the country.

[wondern, ASN]

I prefer to call folks by their names and vice versa, unless I already know their name well and then maybe a, 'sweet thing'. :redpinkhe

I'm in the south. M'am and sir work fine, too.

[Overland1, RN]

I usually address a person as Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms. ___, but if I am not sure, I ask the person how they prefer to be addressed. Before I worked in Nursing, I worked in business, and still follow business protocols (successfully) to this day and will continue to do so. Occasional use of "sir" or "ma'am" works well, too.