Nurse Marge in Charge

Dear Nurse Marge,

I’ve wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. When I was little, I had the little nurse kit. Nursing school was the only choice for me. I thought there’d be no happier day then when I heard someone call “Nurse!” and know they wanted me.

My Name’s Not Nurse

Dear My Name’s Not Nurse,

No. No. A hundred, million times, no. It is NOT better for your patients to yell your name.

Think this through. If the patient is yelling “Nurse, nurse!” there’s a chance (albeit perhaps a small one) that one of your co-workers or aides would respond and handle whatever crisis is occurring — pulling up the blanket, fluffing the pillow, changing the television channel, or handling an actual medical catastrophe. (I’ve never seen this last one myself, but I’ve heard of it happening.)

If the patient is yelling “Irene!” or “Gertrude!” or whatever your name might be, what are the odds of one of your colleagues answering the call? Slim to none.

Good Luck!

Nurse Marge