What is the proper way to address a resident who was a titled health professional?

[michiganstudent]

I was surprised to find that a resident of the nursing home where I was at a clinical rotation was being addressed by his/her first name. He/she was a prominent health care provider in the area when I was a child. What is typically done in this situation?

I plan to ask my clinical instructor in private, but I won't see her for a few days.

Thanks!

[chrisrn24]

I call them whatever THEY choose to be called.

A number of years ago, I worked with a resident who had been a physician in China for 30 years, and the rest of the staff called him by his first name. However, he had a lot of behavior issues, and I found that when I addressed him formally as Doctor, he'd remember the once-dignified healer he'd been and his entire tone would change. He understood that I was a nurse, and I allowed him to give me 'orders' which I assured him I would carry out as soon as he took his meds. This worked virtually every time, and saved a lot of kicking and scratching in the bargain. :) The point being, whatever you call a resident, do it with respect!

That is precious!

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

I'd open with: Mr. or Mrs. or Ms. or Dr. -- whatever would apply.

Thereafter, whatever titled they preferred.

(As an aside: a personal pet peeve: women with longer-joined names, such as... Mrs. Walthermeier-Silkenson -- and who insists on being called by her full name on all staff contacts. I can easily imagine a hilarious Saturday Night Live skit with this theme.)

[amoLucia]

Also thought of the clergy, whatever the religion. It's a sign of courtesy & respect for the position to use a title.

Some ethnic and foreign customs also use the appellations like 'Sister' or 'Mother'. I once worked with a CNA who would call me 'Sister'. In the beginning, it made me uncomfortable and I tried to gently correct him that I wasn't a nun. He was from Liberia or Nigeria or somewhere over there. He explained to me that 'Sister' was a title of respect for a nurse professional who was a supervisor. I dealt with it better after that.

Whatever is their preference ......

[akanini, MSN, RN]

I once had an elderly patient (Registered Nurse) who lived in the nursing home where

I worked. I told her that she used to be a nurse. Her response was, "I am an RN." I would never forget that, I thought it was cute although she was obviously out of practice.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm not in LTC, but I do have health professionals as patients :)

I call them by their first name (it is psych, after all), though if they prefer to be called by something else, I'll oblige. Almost none of them want to be called by their title.

[ellaballet]

I usually address patients as Mr/Ms/Mrs the first time I greet them. Most patients tell me "Oh no, call me _____!". I'm 23 and can pass for a high school student so I just want to be respectful I guess.

[txnurse01]

You call the person whatever it is they prefer and are comfortable with. For instance if a Dr Smith wants to be called by his first name David, then call him David.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

In my facility when new residents are admitted there is a form they fill out on how they would like to be addressed. mrs so and so, or first name, or whatever it is they want.

We had one cute little one who wrote down she wanted to be addressed as Her Royal Highess. Everyone addressed her that way! She finally said enough was enough, she was trying to be funny when she wrote that and didn't realize we WOULD call her that all the time. She went back to the commoner she was and was again just (first name). I would call her as 'your highness' and curtsey when I encountered her just to make her laugh after that. She would burst out in the biggest smile and laugh every time. Loved that lady! I was working the day she passed away, when the funeral home passed by with her, I gave very subtle curtsey and bid farewell to my Royal Highness.

I just call them whatever it is they prefer to be called. But upon first meeting them its always by their proper title (Doctor, Sister, Father, etc) or Mr, Mrs or Miss so and so until I'm told differently.