"My Nurses"

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

I say "my Pharmacist", "my Nurse Manager", "my Pharmacy Manager", "my Intake Coordinator", when referring to my colleagues all the time. In the same note, they probably refer to me as "my nurse liaison."

HairyMurse · Jul 21, 2016

I don't think he meant it negatively. I'm guessing he was the surgeon? You would truly not believe the amount of work that goes into getting a patient through those operating room doors. I specifically work for 2 surgeons. My entire job at the hospital is based upon getting their patients ready for surgery whether it is elective, emergency, or life saving. At the office, they each have a nurse screening their patients as well. Then there are of course OR nurses that care for the patient in the room and get them to recovery. It sounds like he was referring to his office nurse.

Yes I believe he was referring to the nurse working in his office.

HairyMurse · Jul 21, 2016

I say "my Pharmacist", "my Nurse Manager", "my Pharmacy Manager", "my Intake Coordinator", when referring to my colleagues all the time. In the same note, they probably refer to me as "my nurse liaison."

Would you say my doctor/surgeon? Or is that taboo?

Thanks for the responses everyone, I mostly wanted to hear what your thoughts were on this topic. I know a few people that this bugs, but all of you have valid points.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

Would you say my doctor/surgeon? Or is that taboo?
Thanks for the responses everyone, I mostly wanted to hear what your thoughts were on this topic. I know a few people that this bugs, but all of you have valid points.

I work for an Infusion Pharmacy that does not employ physicians so no, that doesn't apply in my work situation but Residents say "My Attending" all the time, just as Attendings will say "My Residents" or "My Fellow."

HairyMurse · Jul 21, 2016

I work for an Infusion Pharmacy that does not employ physicians so no, that doesn't apply in my work situation but Residents say "My Attending" all the time, just as Attendings will say "My Residents" or "My Fellow."

Okay that definitely makes sense!

sevensonnets · Jul 21, 2016

I think when a physician refers to a nurse as "My nurse" that's a good thing. It means he considers the nurse part of his team. It's better not to take offense at little things and concentrate on building good relationships with the physicians you work with based on mutual respect. They don't own us and they know that. It is not us against them. That has been my experience over the last 36 years as an RN.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

I say "My hair colorist is great. I highly recommend him." Am I insinuating that he is my property?

allnurses Guide · Jul 21, 2016

Well, hairymurse you are not the first to raise that question. Thinking about managers over the years, I believe those who say "my nurses" used it in a context of having our backs when someone demeaned, yelled at or otherwise messed with our day.

I don't see that particular quality in nurse managers very often these days. It makes a huge difference in morale, though.

Also, as others mentioned, in an outpatient setting we referred to "Dr.----'s nurse", as the patients usually did as well. Turnover in nurses made that a necessity sometimes.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

Well, I refer to the MD I work with as "my Dr" and he doesn't treat me for anything. Should he be offended? You're overthinking this.

When I was in the OR the other day for a minor procedure (I was the patient), I asked the MD a question and he said "I'll ask one of my nurses." Then again, before I was discharged, he informed me to contact "My nurse" to set up a post op appointment.
My question for all of you nurses is--how do you feel about being referred to as a physicians piece of property?
And yes I know I blew this WAY out of proportion, but I want to know what you guys/gals think of this subject! This isn't the first time I've heard an MD refer to a nurse as their own.
Personally, when being talked about by an MD, I would want them to say my name is Dr. So and so and I work with nurse so and so. He/she will get you the information you need.
Let me know what you think!

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

My MD has 5 nurses on his team. It's easier to say "call one of my nurses" rather than "call Deb or Katie or Sara or Patti or Charlotte"

Yes I believe he was referring to the nurse working in his office.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 21, 2016

Back in the 1980's, I called a neonatologist on using similar terminology. He referred to the NNP's as "his girls." I said, "Oh, do you own these professional women now?" Fortunately he took it well.

The NNP's thanked me for speaking up for them.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jul 21, 2016

I had a patient's father say to the Attending "Here's the Boss Lady". The Attending quickly replied "I'm not the boss, she is" referring to the patient's nurse. Was she implying that the nurse was her boss? No, she was showing the nurse respect by implying that the nurse was the boss when it comes to the care of the baby since she spends 12 hrs with the baby.