Using words like honey, sweety a no-no?

[bee212]

I was wondering if this is a rule for my company or just a rule across the board. We are not allowed to use the words "honey" or "sweety" when we are talking to our residents. Does anyone know why this is? Is it just a dignity issue or what exactly? Our residents have a range of issues such as; dementia and manic depression. It is a long-term care unit..we do have a short-term care unit as well and the same rules apply for those residents. It is only my second week of clinicals and I still have to catch myself using those words. We were warned that if we get caught using those we are fired on the spot. It is going to be a hard habit to break that is for sure. Does anyone have any suggestions?? Thanks for all your help!!

[retiredlady]

I think it is disrepectful, especially from someone younger. For an older person call them by their last name unless you ask if you can use their first name. Personally, don't ever call me honey, I can't stand it.

[new_mom2005]

welll i live in the south and everytime I have been in the hospital I have been called sweetie or honey ........ IN THE SOUTH ITS OK I GUESS LOL

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I think calling a patient honey or sweetie makes them lower on the ladder than you are. How would you feel if you went to the grocery store and the cashier called you sweetie... or even more indicative....how about if your doctor called you honey? What feelings does it bring to you?

Using the name indicates you care enough to know what it is too! You might have more than one Helen or George, but if you call people honey or sweetie, then you have a whole group with the same name!

I think it's respectful to call elders Mr ____, Mrs _____, or Miss ____ unless they ask you to do otherwise.

It's all a pet peeve of mine....

[flightnurse2b, LPN]

some people do consider it disrespectful, like they're being talked down to... but others don't mind. i think it depends on the patient.

i usually always call people mr. or mrs. ______ and then ask them what they want to be called (and most will give a first name or a nickname). i am guilty of calling people sunshine when i forget their name.

now, i do live in the south, and many many of the nurses i work call everyone "honey" "sweetie" "dear" and "shug", and its perfectly acceptable by the patient.

[Atheos]

Remember...

It is normal for people in the south to talk like that. Certain other places as well.

We have some southern ladies that don't mind being called that.

On the other hand, I don't call anyone that from the get go...

[Batman24]

I do it with some patients and have never had a complaint. Quite a few have complimented me on it saying they thought it was sweet. It depends on the patient.

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

My facility frowns upon it as well. Although I admit that I'm guilty of it upon occasion.

Some people don't seem to mind, I usually take my cue from the patient...if they call me sweetheart, I figure that they won't mind if I call them the same.

[Seagate]

Nah, I wouldn't dare call my patient honey or sweetie.

I just call them "babe" or "peaches".

:chuckle

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

...I kinda like dumpling and poptart....

[leslie :-D]

i know that i use these endearments now and then...

on the bb and at work.

from the perspective of one who is guilty of this, i can tell you when i use one of those terms, i am feeling extremely maternal and affectionate towards that person.

(and yes, you can feel maternal towards someone twice your age.)

but i do need to watch myself, for fear of offending anyone.

leslie

[Straydandelion]

Some people wouldn't object to this..however it can be something a mother says to their child. This can be demeaning to the dignity of some older residents, or even others your age group. I usually don't mind being called by my first name, however if someone I don't know comes to me and does it, I would object. IMO Mr. Mrs. Sir/Maame are NEVER objected to. Calling by the first name would be fine as long as they remember they gave permission. Like others have posted, having dementia is no reason not to have respect.

[Medic09, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I was wondering if this is a rule for my company or just a rule across the board. We are not allowed to use the words "honey" or "sweety" when we are talking to our residents. Does anyone know why this is? Is it just a dignity issue or what exactly?

JUST a dignity issue? JUST...?

THAT is all some of us have left. It is to be respected and preserved. It is to be cherished and fostered.

You can almost never go wrong by showing too much respect. Even with children. Or drunks. Or colleagues. But we never know how we may hurt a patient or family member by being too familiar.

And certainly with elderly patients, respect for our elders is called for and a good thing. What's more, genuine respect never gets in the way of also being genuinely kind, considerate, even loving. But a diminished recognition of someone's dignity can have profound effect on the patient, family members,...and the caregiver.

Common sense or the patient will let you know when you may be familiar, using a first name etc. But 'honey' and 'sweetie' and the like is too easily perceived as flippant or demeaning.

I have insisted on that kind of respect with all the paramedics I precepted over the years. If I ever precept nurses, I expect I'll do the same.

Just my .