'Sister' in nursing is sexist

[BollardDodger]

All traditionally male orientated jobs these days have gender-neutral terms - chair instead of chairman; police officer instead of policeman/woman; firefighter etc. So why in nursing are 'Sisters' still called that rather than the gender-neutral term Charge Nurse? Why are female orientated jobs not subjected to the same political correctness restrictions as male orientated jobs?

[MrsJayy]

I thought they were ward managers or senior"something" nurses now ?

[Ifailed]

Try telling Father Ted that.

[Janeinthemiddle]

Nurses are called sisters? I thought that's for nuns.

[Sparklingbrook]

I didn't think there were 'Sisters' any more either.

[ElspethFlashman]

Who still says sister?



I'm a nurse and don't ever hear it.

[brasty]

They are not called Sisters any more. You are behind the times OP.

[BollardDodger]

They are not called Sisters any more. You are behind the times OP.
I'll go back to my daytime telly, then

[MrsJayy]

Decades ago Charge nurses were male sisters, was at health centre to Sister is now called Senior nurse practioner

[MrsJayy]

Today*

[Writerwannabe83]

All the Band 6 Nurses on my ward (8 of them) are called Sister. In fact every female Band 6 across the Unit is called Sister. I work in a Paediatric Unit and across all 5 departments there are about 30 female Band 6s (called Sisters) and 1 male Band 6 who is called a Charge Nurse.

[IFuckingHateThatDog]

They are not called Sisters any more. You are behind the times OP

Don't know where you work but In my trust we still have sisters, matrons, midwives.

[MaybeNextWeek]

Whenever I'm in hospital they do have ward sisters, then ward manager. So yes op you're right. Its just a historical thing isn't it. Needs getting rid of really.
I do find it strange when male nurses are promoted to a 'matron' role, I think If I was man I'd request the title be clinical lead nurse or something.

[MrsJayy]

Sooo nurse Elspeth what are they called ? I can remember being in hospital a lot as a kid and they still had Matron cant see that being a thing anymore

[Sallystyle]

We still call them Sisters. Some use Charge nurse but the majority still call then Sisters.

[Sallystyle]

We still have Matrons as well.

[ElspethFlashman]

Here in Ireland it's Nurse Manager. My friends working in the UK have Charge Nurses.

I've never had a "sister".

[Writerwannabe83]

Our Matron is called "Modern Matron" these days

Not sure what the difference is....

[Hastalapasta]

Had an appointment with a Sister at the surgery yesterday. Not heard of a charge nurse but I do try to avoid Dr's surgeries.

[SylvanusWindrunner]

Just as a note the male version of midwife is just 'midwife'. It's a gender neutral title. Sister has been mostly phased out officially but is often still used informally even if the official job title is senior nurse, or ward coordinator or something.

[MrsJayy]

Modern matron really is no different it probably varies from country to country or at least area

[MrsSeverusSnape]

I was in hospital last weekend, there was definitely a sister looking after me.

[olderthanyouthink]

Writer has she got chrome bits or something?

What about midwife? What are male ones called?

[MrsJayy]

Yeah midwife means "with woman" doesn't it?

[Bearberry]

We still have ward sisters here.

[MrsJayy]

I had a male community midwife when i was discharged from the ward with dd1