"My Nurses"

[HairyMurse]

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!

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

The use of "my" doesn't bother me but I was paying closer attention to the docs yesterday for its usage. Most said "the" instead. I think the message was unchanged, just a way to communicate to the patient and family that another step is needed and who would implement it, more or less.

[LittleRedHenny]

It's really not a big deal. I work in a huge urban teaching hospital where my unit has 140 RNs, 80 resident MDs, and 40 Certified Nurse Midwives. The residents are "my docs", the midwives are "my midwives", and when I'm charge the nurses are "my nurses". We are all employed by the same hospital and we all use this terminology. We all work closely as a team and the "my" just illustrates that.

[HelloWish, ADN, BSN]

I call my son, "my son" and my husband, "my husband" and so on and on...they aren't my property and I don't think most people interpret it that way. If I worked for a particular doctor, I would consider myself the doctor's nurse. It just makes sense to me that way, but I do not consider it a property statement.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Bigger fish to to fry.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

It kind of came off as he was going to ask his employees about it. However, I usually use the term my when I refer to be people. My coworker. My boss. I don't say my doctor/NP or my nursing assistant though. I will say my coworker though