What do you go by?

wearingmanyhats, RN · Apr 17, 2012

I work as a classroom nurse in an MDS classroom in an elementary building. Our building nurse is "Nurse Robin" since her last name is very long and could be difficult to pronounce, and I am "Nurse X" (my last name since it is easy to pronounce, and we try to teach our kids to use "Mrs" whatever instead of just the last name...

I think it is acceptable, and perhaps even better since it lets the kids know that we are "the nurse" and not just another adult in the building. I don't think it's snooty... we EARNED that title.

Jolie, BSN · Apr 17, 2012

My last name is a tongue-twister. When I first met my MIL, she informed me that I was never to refer to her as Mrs. Tonguetwister, that her first name was preferred. Over the years, I have come to equally detest the constant butchering of my last name, which is even more tongue-tiwster-ish when following Mrs. (It almost rhymes.)

So long ago, I began to ask children to address me as Miss Jolie, a common tradition in the South, where I used to live.

It works fine in school. Miss Jolie, Nurse Jolie, doesn't matter.

amoLucia · Apr 17, 2012

I smiled when I read your post. With all the hot issues and problems in health care and nursing today, your gentle question is a breath of clean fresh air. I think your kids will like you whichever name you use.

100kids, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2012

I like both actually. There are some kids who call me "nurse" some who call me Nurse mylastname , some who call me Mrs. mylastname and even a few who call me Aunt myfirstname because I have some of my nieces/nephews in my school so they hear it from them. It all works for me.

schooldistrictnurse · Apr 17, 2012

Everyone calls me Mrs. A, because I also have a difficult last name. Oh yes, there is one principal that calls me Nurse Ratched, but that's another story. . . .

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2012

Everyone calls me Nurse (almost as if it is my first name, lol), except the principal who calls me Mrs. + last name, and a few teachers who call me by my first name. We got a new secretary this year, and she thought it was hysterical that the clerk, who I am friends with and work closely with at school, adresses me as "Nurse". I never thought much about it, but it's cool. I'm the nurse :)

I've never thought much about titles and such, and it never has bothered me how I am addressed. I pretty much allow people to call me whatever they are comfortable with, as long as it is respectful!

100kids, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2012

Oh yes, there is one principal that calls me Nurse Ratched, but that's another story. . . .

Oh yes my mother and my husband like to call me that too. LOL:bugeyes:

SchoolNurseTXstyle · Apr 17, 2012

I go by Nurse _______(last name). Some of my counterparts go by their first name. However, since the kids are expected to call the rest of the teachers/ staff by their last name, I feel I deserve the same respect.

Now, if I had a really hard last name, I may feel differently. Luckily, mine is short and easy for the kids.

rdsxfnrn · Apr 17, 2012

I have always been Nurse first name. Sometimes the pre k kiddos call me Doctor first name. :)

Merlyn · Apr 17, 2012

I go by anything except Son of a B#%^&!.

merlee · Apr 17, 2012

I think it is just fine for the school nurse to be Nurse X, first or last name, whichever is easiest for the kids.

It is a matter of respect.