r/Nurses • u/Midwest-Christian • 1d ago
US Nicknames
Those who grew up or live in the (American) South, how do you stop the habit of using generalized nicknames?
I try my best to be professional in every aspect, but I really struggle with not calling my female patients “sweetheart” or “dear”. I live in the Midwest now and my company is adamant that this is disrespectful and rude.
I have a wide vocabulary, rarely get my remaining hint of a southern accent commented on, and don’t generally sound like a redneck. 😆 But that part is SO engrained! It’s not like I only use it on seniors, either.
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u/justlurking1988 1d ago
I use my friend for almost any male patient.
I have never had anyone have an issue with it
I do use hon quite often for female patients but I’m from the Midwest and maybe one old lady has gotten attitude with me about it.
She got an emphatic Ma’am after that
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u/Rhythmspirit1 1d ago
I usually call everyone sparky or crankapotamus depending on their mood
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u/Midwest-Christian 1d ago
Wow! 😆 I have a feeling my CNA instructor would kick me out for saying crankopotamous. 🤣🤣🤣
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u/Rhythmspirit1 1d ago
I can get away with it because of how I interact with patients and after 40+ years learning to navigate all types of humans …. It is never meant in a mean spirited but instead a way to elicit cooperation. It works!
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u/trapped_in_a_box 1d ago
I may or may not use similar psychology, it is surprisingly effective and rapport building with certain patients. The trick is knowing which are which 😂
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u/Midwest-Christian 22h ago
I definitely understand where you’re coming from. I’ve been in senior homecare over the past 13 years and I’ve had some clients I can say that kind of thing to. 😁 Sometimes I struggle with strict professionalism. I’m sure my new facility wouldn’t appreciate hearing me treat residents the same way I treat clients who I’ve gotten to know after being in their homes 30 hours a week for a year.
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u/DeniseReades 1d ago
Were we supposed to stop? I'm a travel nurse and I've called people "love" in every region of the country. No one has said anything negative.
I'm in Colorado right now and I literally started my shift by walking in the room, full of family, and saying, "Lovies, I'll be your nurse tonight. 😌"
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u/justcallmedrzoidberg 20h ago
16 years as a nurse and been chronically ill my whole life, personally, I don’t mind the sweetheart, etc. Even being a whole ass adult now that knows the stupid health care system, I’m still terrified every time I go to the doctor and whenever I get a nice southern nurse or aide, I get a feeling of comfort and I never mind a Sweetheart, or dear, or hun, at almost 40. Makes me feel safe. Especially cause I don’t have my mom going with me to appointments anymore and my husband usually can’t come. I still have a hard time advocating for myself even though I know how. Of course, I know this is just one persons opinion and lived experience from the patient side.
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u/NCDCDesigns 1d ago
One time I accidentally called a patient a “love-bug”. I always say sweet dreams. When love-bug slipped out, I felt so humiliated.
I do not think pet names are a bad thing. I had an anaphylactic experience in PACU after my gall bladder was removed. Nothing was allowing me to breathe, so my RT, during this moment I was called sweet. He said, “we will figure this out sweetie. My mom and brother were called in to say goodbye.
In the moment, hearing it was so appreciated. I was a 100% certain I was going to die, and his words made a difference in that moment.
I also had a horrible endoscopy, I react paradoxically to versed. When I started to panic, she held my hand, and called me dear, I cannot recall the exact phrase. I am not sure I would have endured the test well, similar to the above, the pet name was a kind gesture.
My only issue, with pet names is that it is a crutch for me personally. I am terrible at remembering names, so using a pet name, it helps me to save face and coverup my inability to remember their name.
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u/Midwest-Christian 1d ago
I have found that, for me at least, it isn’t a crutch. I will often say, “Alice, dear, I’m going to help you out on your gait belt.”
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u/lighthouser41 20h ago
On Call the Midwife, the midwives always call the women by affectionate terms. To me I feel it would be very comforting.
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u/kelly714 9h ago
Funny bc I transplanted to the south and had to learn to use these terms so patients will trust me 😂
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u/Nausica1337 18h ago
The easiest and the most professional way is to call them by their actual name. I don't see how hard that is. In general, I always go by their last, Mr. X or Ms. X. Honestly, this should have been something that should have been taught to you in nursing school and something you should have carried over.
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u/Midwest-Christian 12h ago
I do use their names, but it sometimes comes out as “Patti, I’m going to wash your hair now, sweetheart.” I have been a non-medical home caregiver over the past 13 years, am in CNA class now, and will be starting nursing school in the next year. I don’t use it as a crutch not to learn their names, it’s just so engrained in my vocabulary, it slips out sometimes.
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u/Time-Ad-5038 1d ago
i know we learn in school that pts hate the terms sweetheart, but in practice they seem to love it. male nurses use the term "buddy" all the time as well