[yellow finch]

Originally Posted by elkpark

There are plenty of people who said that about advanced practice nurses getting Rx authority.

There is at least one state (I forget which one at the moment, and I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong) that has given psychologists Rx authority.

"Never say 'never' ..."

I think it's Florida. A friend of mine is in the Pharma Psychology program down there. It's a PhD program with tons of clinical hours. It seems to be spreading because he's able to complete his residency within a number of other states. From the sound of it the program is time-consuming and rigorous. He's very, very smart and I have to wonder why he didn't just go the MD route. The length of the program and cost is comparable to medical school.

[natania]

The patients frequently don't even know the difference between an LVN, RN, BSN, and CNA. They very often consider everyone (female) who walks into a room a nurse. If prior attempts to educate the public were successful, this wouldn't be true.

While some patients may be able to discern between different doctoral degrees, I think it is wishful thinking to expect the average Joe will understand "I am Doctor X, a neuropsychologist." A lot of people will stop listening after "doctor", and very possibly don't know what a neuropsychologist is.

[silas2642]

Well, let's turn it around. I've noticed on the nursing forums that the RN's tend to get all up in arms when the CNA's and MA's call themselves "nurses." Why? The term "nurse" in the past didn't used to refer exclusively to RN's/LPN's and they don't own the term. So why are they all defensive about this issue? Because it's misleading to the patients. The same thing applies to physicians. Nurse practitioners running around calling themselves "doctors" is also misleading to patients because they do not have the same qualifications nor the the same responsibilties. Period.

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by silas2642

Well, let's turn it around. I've noticed on the nursing forums that the RN's tend to get all up in arms when the CNA's and MA's call themselves "nurses." Why? The term "nurse" in the past didn't used to refer exclusively to RN's/LPN's and they don't own the term. So why are they all defensive about this issue? Because it's misleading to the patients. The same thing applies to physicians. Nurse practitioners running around calling themselves "doctors" is also misleading to patients because they do not have the same qualifications nor the the same responsibilties. Period.

Actually, LVNs and RNs do "own" the term nurses in that CNAs and MAs are not licensed by a governing body and can't legally practice nursing.

DNPs earn degrees and pass boards that give them the authority to call themselves doctors and to practice as doctors of a particular field, just as a DDS is licensed to practice denistry or a DVM is licensed to practice veterinary medicine. Medical doctors don't "own" the term doctor, although sometimes they act as if they do.

[Hopefull2009]

Originally Posted by elkpark

There are plenty of people who said that about advanced practice nurses getting Rx authority.

There is at least one state (I forget which one at the moment, and I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong) that has given psychologists Rx authority.

"Never say 'never' ..."

On that...I'll say never.

Huge thing missing on all of those: Patient assessment.

I also have no problem with Psychologists have Rx authority. I would wager that the state probably only gave it to CLINICAL Psychologists.

A clinical psychologist is a PhD program and is a very, very difficult program to complete. There is alot of anatomy and a huge focus on every type of drug because they deal so much with abuse cases.

Psychiatrists generally don't do a physical assessment but a mental health evaluation, because you are fixing the mind, not so much the body.

[n_g]

If DNP's want to go around introducing themselves as "doctor" to boost their ego, let them. It doesn't change anything otherwise. A DNP will function the same as an NP except the DNP goes around thinking that they are a doctor now. It seems like a waste of two additional years of my life.

[silas2642]

For a nurse to be using the title "doctor" in a clinical setting is inappropriate... period. It implies that the NP has the same clinical training/skills as a physician which he/she does not. As valuable as nurse practitioners are to the team, they are not equal to the attending physician who is ultimately responsible for the patient-- they are mid-level providers. The DNP doesn't change that. I'm sorry, but a year of classes on nursing management and a year of "residency" does not bring you up to par with the MDs/DO's.

Do DNP's have the right to call themselves "doctor?" Sure. But not in a clinical setting. It is is deceptive to the patient not to mention confusing. A nurse practitioner's clinical advice does not carry the same weight as a physician's. As much as you would like to think that it is not going to confuse the patients, it is.

[elkpark]

Originally Posted by Hopefull2009

On that...I'll say never.

Huge thing missing on all of those: Patient assessment.

I also have no problem with Psychologists have Rx authority. I would wager that the state probably only gave it to CLINICAL Psychologists.

A clinical psychologist is a PhD program and is a very, very difficult program to complete. There is alot of anatomy and a huge focus on every type of drug because they deal so much with abuse cases.
Psychiatrists generally don't do a physical assessment but a mental health evaluation, because you are fixing the mind, not so much the body.

Where did you get that information from? I've been in psych (nursing) my entire career and have many close friends who are clinical psychologists (with PhDs) and their programs didn't include a single word about "anatomy" or pharmacology -- they don't know the difference between ASA and Tylenol!! And psychiatrists, BTW, are required to do H&Ps on their hospital admissions (clients), same as any other physician -- they are often able to palm that responsibility off on someone else, but many of them just do it, since it's a reasonble expectation of their licensure and role ...

[DutchgirlRN]

Originally Posted by mercyteapot

Actually, LVNs and RNs do "own" the term nurses in that CNAs and MAs are not licensed by a governing body and can't legally practice nursing.

DNPs earn degrees and pass boards that give them the authority to call themselves doctors and to practice as doctors of a particular field, just as a DDS is licensed to practice denistry or a DVM is licensed to practice veterinary medicine. Medical doctors don't "own" the term doctor, although sometimes they act as if they do.

[DutchgirlRN]

Originally Posted by Hopefull2009

Psychiatrists generally don't do a physical assessment but a mental health evaluation, because you are fixing the mind, not so much the body.

Psychiatrists' inpatients are required to have a H&P the same as any patient, it is done by the hospitalist or the patients PCP if available.

Fixing the mind does work to fix the body. There is a mind-body connection and it works both ways. A sick body can likewise sicken the mind.

I work with Radiologists and they know "zip" about medications. I've had them tell me "if we had a code I'd probably pee in my pants" or "a code is my worst fear". Are they good radiologists, yes! Exceptional! Every has their place. The trick is to not over-step it. My dh was at the oncologist and saw a NP, when she left the room he said "Thank You Dr", she turned and said "No I'm a nurse, a nurse practitioner, but you're quite welcome". That's practicing responsibily IMHO