Two Thoughts

[guest042302019, BSN, RN]

I wonder what the origin of "patients" is. Just a quick search for definition is, "with fortitude and calm and with complaint, or quietly and steadily persevering or diligent." I do have patient patients but a lot of the time one isn't. Any ideas? I don't blame them though if they are not.

Why do we call patients patient? Or, where did it come from?

And, what is your thoughts about calling someone "sweety" or "honey?" As opposed to mam, miss, Mr, or Sir. I get a whole body cringing feeling whenever I hear this. I personally feel it's unprofessional. Use formal names unless patient tells you otherwise. But, still, I hear honey or sweety more than I hear sir or mam?

Is it professional to call someone these names?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

you're using one definition of the word. in the english language, one word can have multiple different meanings. for example, you can put something on a table. table being the round, wooden surface where you eat dinner. you can also table a conversation- meaning you can put the issue on hold to readdress later.

patients is a different word from patience.

patient in the sense that you describes is an adjective. patient in reference to a person is a hospital is a noun.

here's the webster's full definition of the word patient.

[color=#333333][color=#333333][color=#333333][color=#333333]

noun[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b][color=#333333]1.[color=#333333]a [color=#333333]person who is [color=#333333]under medical care or treatment.

[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b]2.a [color=#333333]person [color=#333333]or thing [color=#333333]that [color=#333333]undergoes [color=#333333]some action.

[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b]3.[color=#333333]archaic . [color=#333333]a [color=#333333]sufferer [color=#333333]or [color=#333333]victim.

adjective[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b]4.[color=#333333]bearing provocation, annoyance, [color=#333333]misfortune, delay,[color=#333333]hardship, pain, etc., with fortitude and calm and without[color=#333333]complaint, anger, or the like.

[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b]5.[color=#333333]characterized by or expressing such a quality: a patient smile.

[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b]6.quietly and [color=#333333]steadily persevering or diligent, especially indetail or [color=#333333]exactness: a patient worker.

[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b]7.undergoing the [color=#333333]action [color=#333333]of [color=#333333]another ( [color=#333333]opposed to agent).

note the 3rd point of the first definition. the word patient comes from the latin word patiens which means "to suffer" or "i am suffering". that's where the name patients for hospitalized people came from.

[Pneumothorax, BSN, RN]

I don't think you should call a pt sweetie or honey unless you have established that kind of relationship with them.

I had a patient the other day who we had given her a head to toe intense bed bath so she felt really clean and pretty. I didn't have her the following day on the same unit but I stopped by to see her and said "well hello gorgeous!"

And she smiled and was very happy to see me.

I also make sure that when I meet a patient for the fort time if they are able to answer I ask what they liked to be called for their comfort and out of respect.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

As Ashley said, "patient" as a noun is distinct from "patient" as an adjective.

I have been known to call patients sweetie/honey and I use "buddy" a lot but, then again, I work in pediatrics and when I use these terms I'm usually talking to a child under the age of 5 and more often than not, I'm using this term because I either forgot their name or can't figure out how to pronounce it. I'm not particularly fond of people who refer to Granny as "sweetie" but who knows, maybe Granny likes it.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

It depends on where you live and the culture of the area, as well as the tone of your voice. Hey Ashley, great answer on the word patient...you be me to it!!

[Epic_RN]

I will freely admit that I call patients honey and sweetie all the time. It's a habit and it sure is hard to break. That's how I grew up though, we only used given names in anger or annoyance in my house so it became ingrained. My boyfriend appreciates it because he can always tell when I'm mad lol. I've never had a patient complain. I do ask what they prefer to be called and try to use whatever that is but I catch myself slipping back into the honey and sweetie thing.

[guest042302019, BSN, RN]

you're using one definition of the word. in the english language, one word can have multiple different meanings. for example, you can put something on a table. table being the round, wooden surface where you eat dinner. you can also table a conversation- meaning you can put the issue on hold to readdress later.

patients is a different word from patience.

patient in the sense that you describes is an adjective. patient in reference to a person is a hospital is a noun.

here's the webster's full definition of the word patient.

[color=#333333][color=#333333][color=#333333][color=#333333]

noun[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b][color=#333333]1.[color=#333333]a [color=#333333]person who is [color=#333333]under medical care or treatment.

[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b]2.a [color=#333333]person [color=#333333]or thing [color=#333333]that [color=#333333]undergoes [color=#333333]some action.

[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b]3.[color=#333333]archaic . [color=#333333]a [color=#333333]sufferer [color=#333333]or [color=#333333]victim.

adjective[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b]4.[color=#333333]bearing provocation, annoyance, [color=#333333]misfortune, delay,[color=#333333]hardship, pain, etc., with fortitude and calm and without[color=#333333]complaint, anger, or the like.

[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b]5.[color=#333333]characterized by or expressing such a quality: a patient smile.

[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b]6.quietly and [color=#333333]steadily persevering or diligent, especially indetail or [color=#333333]exactness: a patient worker.

[color=#333333][color=#7b7b7b]7.undergoing the [color=#333333]action [color=#333333]of [color=#333333]another ( [color=#333333]opposed to agent).

note the 3rd point of the first definition. the word patient comes from the latin word patiens which means "to suffer" or "i am suffering". that's where the name patients for hospitalized people came from.

thank you for the clarification. that's fantastic feedback.

[guest042302019, BSN, RN]

I will freely admit that I call patients honey and sweetie all the time. It's a habit and it sure is hard to break. That's how I grew up though, we only used given names in anger or annoyance in my house so it became ingrained. My boyfriend appreciates it because he can always tell when I'm mad lol. I've never had a patient complain. I do ask what they prefer to be called and try to use whatever that is but I catch myself slipping back into the honey and sweetie thing.

I guess I've been taught, mainly in the nursing program, that it hinders professionalism. Not to say that you are not professional, just what I've been told.

[guest042302019, BSN, RN]

I guess one would have to look into the research about preferences. I'm not sure. Just curious about practices and sharing what I see regularly. Personally, I've heard it more on adult units vs peds.