To find my mum annoying over this...

[Julietsbalcony]

she insists on calling a practice nurse 'sister'. As in 'Sister Jones'.
'Sister' to me conjures up an image of Sister Julienne in call the midwife- or any nun for that matter.

My mum is elderly and seems to put anyone medical a) on a pedestal and b) as if 'sister' implies this practice nurse has huge seniority.
On the practice website the nurses are not given any titles just their full name- eg Sue Jones, Anne Brown.

I am a bit worried my mum is making a bit of a fool of herself by calling the more senior one 'sister' all the time when she requests an appt.
I have tried to tell her that a title like sister would only apply in a hospital setting - if at all- but she won't have any of it.

[magpiegin]

I'm a nurse and wouldn't think twice over this. Lots of people will call her sister so I wouldn't worry about it.

[cailindana]

The nurses probably find it cute.

You're being a pain about nothing.

Get over it.

[MagratsHair]

Is she trying to show the nurse respect by using the title?

I wouldn't have thought a practice nurse would think she was foolish no. Just let her get on with it, there's no point being massively annoyed over it.

[NetballHoop]

I think it's quite nice.

[itiswhatitiswhatitis]

Sounds rather endearing actually, I'm sure the nurse isn't giving it a second thought.

[AMumInScotland]

I'm sure nobody will mind her using a term that's respectful. I expect they have to face a lot worse from day to day than an older lady being polite!

[blanklook]

Has 'sister' Jones got a dark blue uniform? Donkeys years ago, in hospitals, light blue was for nurses and the sisters and Matron wore dark blue. Think Carry On films era.

[chdmum2491]

some of the.nurses at my gp are sisters, (says so on their door)

[ForTheLoveOfSocks]

The sister at my gp's has a dark blue uniform. The Nurse Practitioner doesn't.

[CMOTDibbler]

The practice nurses where my dad goes are all referred to as Sister whatever

[Fabulous46]

My sister is a Sister in a GP Practice. When she was on the wards a staff nurse was called "Staff" and the ward sister called "Sister". I don't see anything wrong with it.

[Esmum07]

Three of the nurses at our practice are 'sisters'. If you ring to speak to one of them the receptionist always says she'll leave a message for Sister x

[CakeAndWineAreAFoodGroup]

My late MIL would refer to something that "Matron said..." in hushed tones of awe and carry out her instructions to the letter. If Matron had said "take a tablet the moment you open your eyes in the morning," MIL would have a glass of water and the tablet on the bedside table ready.

Whereas I would get up, have a wee, make a cuppa, let the cat out, open the curtains, check the washing had finished and then think "I was meant to have a tablet about now"

I did find it sweet though. :)

[eeyoreeeyoreoh]

When my community midwife got on the hospital to give them a bollocking about taking their time over my scan for possible breech (was overdue at the time) she told them it was "sister X" on the time, so I do think they sometimes use it in a non hospital setting.

[MegCleary]

I was a band 6 and called sister. You're Mum might have asked her what her title is and that may be it. It's not going to hurt or upset anyone if she is right or wrong.

[Fluffyears]

Does it impact your life? Leave her alone.

[ENormaSnob]

You are mean op.

It doesnt impact you in any way.

Im a nurse and midwife and would find this endearing.

[DoJo]

This must be one of the weirdest things I have ever known anyone to worry about (except when my friend was convinced her fingerprints were 'unattractive') and I certainly don't think it's worth trying to impose your preferences on your mum when she's clearly trying to be polite.

[Clobbered]

You really should get out more.

[Mrsgrumble]

I think it's lovely. Of all the things nurses have to worry about and with all their responsibility, old fashioned courtesies aren't an issue. I would be flattered if I were a nurse.

[scousadelic]

I work in a GP practice and at least 2 of our practice nurses are known as "Sister".

Your Mum sounds sweet, you not so much. What is wrong with her according a professional person a bit of respect?

[chocolatedonut]

But she might be the sister?

I have worked in GP practice as a staff nurse and my senior nurse was a "Sister". To patients I called her Sister X, to more familiar/regular patients I just called her by her first name. She wasn't bothered what she was called though I really don't think it matters.

Where I am in hospitals they are phasing out "sister" for "ward manager" instead. Not sure what they are doing for community settings though.

[MidniteScribbler]

Why does it matter? She's not saying "Yo, bitch, come over here and give me my pills." She's using an acceptable term of respect for a professional member of the medical profession. Just like using 'Doctor', 'Professor', 'Constable', 'Vicar', or any other possible title that could be used for someone. It's respectful, and I think it's a real shame that being polite has gone by the wayside. If the nursing sister did not like being called that, she is quite capable of saying 'call me Mary' or whatever. I'm sure that being called 'Sister' is probably the least offensive thing that happens in her day to day working life.

[TheRealAmandaClarke]

YABU
She is being polite. She sounds lovely and in no way is making a fool of herself.