[angel337]

doctors go through hell and hot water to get the credentials M.D. most people cannot and will not even attempt to do what it takes to be a doctor. i can fully understand why she is so upset. belittling another profession is not necessary of course, but if i was a doc i would not want someone assuming that less educated health practitioners are equivalent to that of a medical doctor. its no different than the LPN/RN argument. NP's work hard for their credentials also, but in the end you still are not a doctor.

[traumaRUs]

And I guess I don't see where the argument is - I never have said I'm equal to a physician. I augment the physician services, not replace.

Plus, I don't have to resort to name-calling to get my point across - lol

[arita2]

traumaRUs - I don't feel my mind is closed, and while I may not have years of experience in Nursing, I do have solid experience with market economies and can safely say that we are all racing to the bottom when it comes to being replaced by less qualified workers. Less is more to big businesses, and they will do with less qualified personel to make more profit. They DO need to be carefully watched in healthcare, or we all risk being short changed in the quality of care when profits are part of the equation.

Now, there are many situations where mid-level practitioners are perfect for the level of care that is required. But you have to admitt, there is great potential for abuse by less ethical outfits.

Again, I side with the Doctor and can understand her worry and frustration. Who knows what she has seen where she practices, and if she is concerned, it may very well mean that there is good reason for her to be and that we need monitor healthcare practices to ensure abuse is not occuring. I would not dismiss the good Doctor so lightly.

To quote you, "Healthcare is changing and we must change with it or lose out." We just need to be sure the change is benificial and equitable to all.

[TazziRN]

Originally Posted by Noryn

Yeah trauma I knew what you were talking about but my point was the basic principle is the same. The government paying an APN less that what a doctor would charge whereas a hospital would pay a MA less than what a RN would make.

Thanks, Noryn, that's what I was trying to say.

[P_RN]

Well we can be happy her Dad is happy about the Dr in front of her name. And we can be happy that we don't have to rationalize that "my dog's better than your dog"
Oh and yes we can also be happy that there is at least one doc who can write decipherable enough for the letter to the editor person to read.

Uh and why don't we all send her a Merry Christmas greeting. c/o the paper?

[icugirl33]

The Doctor does have a point. I started an NP program last year and stopped because I really just want to go to law school. However, it would of taken me 18 months total. I will never say a Nurse Practitioner or PA is just like a doctor because that is just not true.The education and SALARY difference speaks for itself.

Being a healthcare provider, I notice the powers that be are always trying to replace us with lower paid "equivilants". RN/LPN LPN/MA MD/NP/PA ..etc...It can become very frustrating, as this doctor clearly is.

[Selke]

Well, some of us aren't privileged enough to be able to put "Dr." in front of our names. We would if we could. We scrape along trying to survive and get the education we can.

There may be a terrible problem with insurance, organizing, HMOs, &c, for MDs in KY; just don't demonize and blame APRNs for your problems.

Scabs, indeed. As just a nurse, I'd hate to work under that person...

Sorry, I'm horrifically depressed every holiday season and this letter didn't help. Maybe later if my mood elevates (in May) I'll have kinder thoughts about her.