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Should nursing students correct patients if called ‘nurse’?

Question on Twitter asked students what they do, and whether not correcting patients is devaluing the term ‘nurse’ – and the tweet drew a range of responses
Photo of nursing student with a patient, illustrating story about students being called 'nurse' by patients

Question on Twitter asked students what they do, and whether not correcting patients is devaluing the term ‘nurse’ – and the tweet drew a range of responses

Photo of nursing student with a patient, illustrating story about students being called 'nurse' by patients
Picture: Barney Newman

If you’re a nursing student, should you correct patients if they refer to you by the wrong title?

This was a question posed by a second year nursing student on social media, who wanted to know if you are a student or healthcare assistant should you inform patients, and is it devaluing the term ‘nurse’ to stay silent?

Nursing student Freda admitted that she ‘cringes’ if she fails to correct a patient, although it is not always appropriate.

Title of ‘nurse’ not enshrined in law

The question of whether the title of nurse should be protected in law has rumbled on for years, and the campaign was taken up by Labour MP Dawn Butler who put forward a proposal to get it enshrined in law as an amendment to the Health and Care Bill. It was defeated in the House of Commons in November 2021.

But while the legislation aimed to protect professionals, does it really matter if an individual patient gets it wrong? Some said yes as it leads to confusion and they felt it is always important to educate the public about the different job roles when you can.

Nurses share their views on Twitter

Jaclyn said on Twitter: ‘I'm an SLT (speech and language therapist) in hospital for many, many years and often get addressed as nurse. I think it is best to acknowledge, find out what is wrong, then educate on different roles.

‘Sometimes it is something we can do to relieve nursing burdens, and I'm happy to help.’

Calling for a nurse often equates to ‘I need help’

But most nurses and other healthcare professionals said the majority of patients are saying or shouting ‘nurse’ as a blanket call out for care. Or perhaps because they have forgotten your name.

Nursing student Tom said: ‘Need help = nurse. They don't care if it is the neurosurgeon who shows up. They just want the help. You can try teach them about the different jobs, but in my experience you’re slightly wasting your time because it is a loop. I always try to reinforce what the roles do and remind.’

One paramedic called Kimberly said she experiences similar treatment: ‘Us paramedics get the same. We get called doctor, nurse, ambulance drivers. I know what I am and my colleagues do too. Besides I always get my Nan in my ear saying ‘don’t correct your elders.’

Nurse Alison said: ‘The patients are just trying to get your attention. There are worse things they could say.’

Another solemnly agreed: ‘I’ve had whistles, finger clicking and ‘hey fatty.’


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