What is the politically correct term for "nurse"?

[DanielCA]

I am a new nurse, a male nurse, and a recent graduate from nursing school.

Although I have only been in the profession a short time, it is clear to me that the term "nurse" is not politically correct. I know there are people who will argue against this, but that happens whenever people suggest looking for politically correct alternatives. So, the question is, what word will replace "nurse" as a more politically correct job title? It seems that "RN" has the most traction, except that it isn't really a title as much as an acronym. I don't even really know of any other words. Things like "caregiver" seem too general.

I have searched these forums, and found a couple of discussions, but no clear suggestions for real alternatives.

And, for the record, this is why I think the word "nurse" needs to be reimagined:

- The associated definition of nursing as "breastfeeding,"

- The definition of nursing as "to hold closely and carefully or caressingly"

- The definition of nursing as "to hold (a cup or glass) in one's hands, drinking from it occasionally"

- The historical implications of nurses as submissive, non-autonomous, and following a doctors orders. (The changed waiter to server, right? - because their job is to serve food, not wait on customers. Likewise, a nurses job is much more than just to passively sit with patients and "nurse" them while the doctor does all the work.)

- The sterotype of a woman in a white outfit with a cute white hat.

- Most of all, because when I get home from 12 hours of work, I have absolutely no feeling that "I nursed my patients today."

Obviously, much of this resolves around the issue of gender and that nursing is a somewhat gender-biased word, but even for women I don't think nursing really accurately describes what we do each day as RNs (or LPNs for that matter).

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

If you are licensed as a nurse, the correct tern is "nurse" (or "registered nurse," or simply "RN").

If you have not passed the NCLEX yet, it would be "graduate nurse" or "GN."

Sorry if this seems rude, but I'm not quite sure what is complicated about it.

[SionainnRN]

Nurse is the correct term, whether it's registered or licensed practical. I've never heard of anyone saying they "nursed" their pts, so I have no idea why you would say that. Just because a word has multiple meanings, like you pointed out, it doesn't mean they meaning is wrong. If you don't like how being a "nurse" makes you feel, trying turning the word into what you want it to represent. That may be easier than changing a word that has so much historical significance.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

If you are licensed as a nurse, the correct tern is "nurse" (or "registered nurse," or simply "RN").

I should point out, LPN, LVN, Licensed Practical Nurse, etc. are the correct terms if that this the license you have earned.

[caliotter3]

Did you ponder this before you decided to attend nursing school?

[elkpark]

There are a bunch of existing threads on this topic. Have you looked at them? The "politically correct" term is nurse. Only a few unusually sensitive males seem to have a problem with this.

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

Huh??? That's 5 minutes of my life I'll never get back..

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Nurse is the correct term.

If you do a search, generally at least once or twice a year, someone posts a thread to push for a revised title for nurse. This is generally asked by a new male nurse or nursing student. Many suggestions are tossed around and posters discuss the long history of organized male nurses.

But the term is indeed nurse.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

Purple penguins is taken.. watching the news sometimes just causes my head to hurt. Boys and girls no longer allowed to be called that and now this thread.... smh

[QuiltDog]

Purple penguins is taken.. watching the news sometimes just causes my head to hurt. Boys and girls no longer allowed to be called that and now this thread.... smh

I just heard about that today, too. Not enough Tylenol in the world to get rid of my headache

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

The term is nurse. Just like a female Doctor is still Doctor while most of the population still associate the term Doctor with a male.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I don't see female engineers wanting to use a special term because they are not men (and might be confused with train engineers ... or with people who "engineer" something.)

I also don't see female athletes or women going into other "traditionally male" fields wanting to change the names of their profession because there are now more females in the field.

I agree with most of the previous posters. I have never heard it considered a problem except for a very few people who seem a little sensitive about having chosen a traditionally female profession. The correct word in "nurse" -- and if anyone doesn't understand that a nurse can be a man or a woman, that person needs to be educated. The rest of the world need not change to accommodate the ignorant few.