Nickname appropriate?

Hello everyone,

I just wanted some opinions. My first name is Yesenia which is a Spanish name that even some Latin people cannot pronounce. I was wondering if it were considered inappropriate to go by Yessy which is what I've always gone by. My logic is that my patient is more likely to remember Yessy than Yesenia. I've worked as an M.A. for many years and have always introduced myself as Yessy. In ally notes and legal documents I put my full name obviously. I've noticed when I do introduced myself as Yesenia pts get the name messed up. They've called me stephanie, jessica and even girl in the blue scrubs.

Thoughts?
I think "Yessy" sounds fine. I've known plenty of nurses over the years who signed everything with their legal names and had their legal names on their badges, but went by some sort of nickname at work because it was easier for everyone than their full name.

As long as its informal (Not signatures; badges etc.), such as being addressed by a known co-worker, sure. Don't sign off anything with a nickname.

Do you normally have to get that approved by a supervisor?

No, you do not. Asking your patients to call you by a nickname is an informal procedure, so supervisor approval is not needed.

I have a legal name that makes me sound like I'm an ancient British queen. I never use it except for formal paperwork. I always tell people my name is my nickname. It's never been an issue.

Using your nickname is not an issue as long as you sign your charts with your legal name. I have perfectly normal name and the patients still can't get it right LOL.

No different than Jennifer being called "Jen", Deborah being called "Debbie", Alexandra being called "Alex", etc. You can go by whatever name you want to be called and, no, it doesn't need to be approved by a supervisor. I worked with an NP who went by a nickname that her brother gave her when they were toddlers because he couldn't pronounce her real name.

I see that as no different that your name being "Elizabeth" and telling your pts your name is "Lizzie." Seems very appropriate to me. I use a shortened version of my name to introduce myself to my pts, and my full name for legal documents.

Quote from malenurse69As long as its informal (Not signatures; badges etc.), such as being addressed by a known co-worker, sure. Don't sign off anything with a nickname.

Quote from WhisperaI have a legal name that makes me sound like I'm an ancient British queen. I never use it except for formal paperwork. I always tell people my name is my nickname. It's never been an issue.

We have a very diverse work staff. Many of the nurses go by some sort of nickname with their "real" names on their badges.

As all others have said, the nickname is perfectly o.k. Too bad people have trouble with your given name, though. It's beautiful.