Sorry, but no..:

[Carpediem1012, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry but no. I do not call the people I work for, clients. They are my patients. I do not charge them nor solicit them. I care for them. I have gone to (or am going to) school for my professional designation as a registered nurse. I can't stand the term "client". Seriously. We are not in retail.

[priorities2]

I get that the emphasis on customer service can seem contrived or be frustrating, but it's semantics.

Therapists often use the term clients because the clients come in for a weekly therapy session and so patient doesn't fit, especially if they are seeking services because, for example, they're going through a major life transition or learning strategies to deal with an addict in their life. Psych RNs/PMHNPs might also use the term client in outpt settings for the same reasons.

I think it depends, but it's really just semantics.

[seconddegreebsn]

Don't worry, they'll have another term in a year or so

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

The term patient implies weakness and client implies consumer. There is a trend towards empowering a "patient" as a health care consumer. Hence the term client.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Ha Ha----Medicare will tell you otherwise! As reimbursements are being based on the satisfaction of the consumer, the trend is definitely towards referring to the recipient of those services as clients. And unless you are an independent contractor working as a private duty nurse, you don't work "FOR" an individual--you work for the hospital, agency, facility or some other entity. Or wait, are you still a student? If so, your tune may change once you're out actually caring for clients in exchange for Medicare funded dollars....

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

I can't stand the term "client". When I read my text, I mentally change it to patient.

[Everline]

Years ago I used to work for a social service organization that did not want you to use "patient" or "client", no matter if you were one of the many nurses that worked there. You couldn't even use the word "resident" for the people who lived in group homes. Everyone was a "consumer". We heard things like: "Did the consumers receive their meds?" "Did the doctor see the consumers?" Plus we had to use this word on all paperwork. It was extra bizarre and sounded rather cold to me. At that point client would have been far preferable.

[krisiepoo]

sounds like a silly power struggle to me... who cares what you call them as long as you do right by them?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Silly, isn't it? Our LTC and ALF folks have to deal with "residents" - which always brings me the visual of those annoying quasi-doctors in short lab coats. I never heard of "consumer" before, that really sounds inane. Hey, as long as we don't call them "victims", I can cope.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Years ago I used to work for a social service organization that did not want you to use "patient" or "client", no matter if you were one of the many nurses that worked there. You couldn't even use the word "resident" for the people who lived in group homes. Everyone was a "consumer". We heard things like: "Did the consumers receive their meds?" "Did the doctor see the consumers?" Plus we had to use this word on all paperwork. It was extra bizarre and sounded rather cold to me. At that point client would have been far preferable.

Who thinks of this stuff?

[elkpark]

Who thinks of this stuff?

Lots of outpatient mental health services/programs use "consumer." I don't care for it myself (I am a long-time "client" user), but there are plenty of agencies that use it.

[Stitchy's mom]

Not fond of the term "Client" either. When I speak of "the ill" they are "patients", but when I chart they're "clients." I know we have to do these things to be "Politically Correct."