"How are we doing today?"

Nurses General Nursing

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I was at a friend's house the other day. This friend of her husband's was there. He had a similar injury to what I sustained last winter and I hadn't seen him since I was in the early stages of recovery. He said "How are we doing today?" LOL.

I knew he was referring to my injury, but ignored that and said "We are doing fine. and how are we doing?" I couldn't help myself, I just have decided to be a smarty pants from now on in life. Then he got more specific and had we had a nice talk about our injuries, comparing notes.

Yet, when I talk to my patients, I find myself just naturally slipping into the same vernacular. "How are we feeling today?" "We're going to need a urine sample" yadda yadda yadda...

Why do we just naturally talk this way to patients. It's like nurse baby talk. Any thoughts?

Specializes in Registered Nurse.

Good point. We do often talk that way! But WHY? hmm..I think because we are trying to focus the patient....get their attention and focus in on the plans for the morning or day. Maybe? lol

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I don't know. I wish I knew. I live in south Texas so maybe it's a regional thing but I wasn't born down here. It gets under my skin. I don't know you! So much no!

That's just the weirdest thing to call someone who isn't your mom!

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
That's just the weirdest thing to call someone who isn't your mom!

I agree. It's so bizarre.

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Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.

I call parents Mom and Dad. :) But just because I can not be trusted to learn a million names. Can you imagine? I can hardly keep track of my patient's names.

I find myself using the "WE" too, and I can't tell you why. It just comes out.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

I never, and I mean never say that. It's patronizing. I always asked the patient "How are you feeling?"

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
The MA at my doctor's office calls me mom. :| I hate it with a passion. No. Just NO!

If you don't like it, then tell her.

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Specializes in ER.
I never, and I mean never say that. It's patronizing. I always asked the patient "How are you feeling?"

We don't, eh? Aren't we considerate! :cheeky:

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I was at a friend's house the other day. This friend of her husband's was there. He had a similar injury to what I sustained last winter and I hadn't seen him since I was in the early stages of recovery. He said "How are we doing today?" LOL.

I knew he was referring to my injury, but ignored that and said "We are doing fine. and how are we doing?" I couldn't help myself, I just have decided to be a smarty pants from now on in life. Then he got more specific and had we had a nice talk about our injuries, comparing notes.

Yet, when I talk to my patients, I find myself just naturally slipping into the same vernacular. "How are we feeling today?" "We're going to need a urine sample" yadda yadda yadda...

Why do we just naturally talk this way to patients. It's like nurse baby talk. Any thoughts?

"Nurse Emergent is just fine, thank you, and how are YOU doing? Back to work yet, still on disability? Do you want to talk about it?!"

Ok, snarky to the core, but I always feel like comments like "how are we doing today?" are bathed in sarcasm....

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
If you don't like it, then tell her.

I will. I just started going to this doctor's office & didn't know if it was common for her.

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I will. I just started going to this doctor's office & didn't know if it was common for her.

Yea, well, make it uncommon.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Yea, well, make it uncommon.

Hahahaha! :p

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Specializes in ER.
"Nurse Emergent is just fine, thank you, and how are YOU doing? Back to work yet, still on disability? Do you want to talk about it?!"

Ok, snarky to the core, but I always feel like comments like "how are we doing today?" are bathed in sarcasm....

We weren't on disability due to our good financial planning, with an emergency fund of 3-6 months per Dave Ramsey guidelines. :cheeky:

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