Can you be called "Doctor" with a PhD in Nursing?

Specialties NP

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This has me curious. I would imagine you could.

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Only there is a profession called psychiatry. They are physicians. A hospital is a place where medicine is practiced. Thus, if it is under the realm of psychiatric medicine in a hospital, a psychologist should not be referred to as Doctor. Otherwise, sure...Why not?

One profession does not eclipse the other. Psychiatrists and clinical psychologists are both clinical doctorates. They are both licensed to diagnose. Many psychologists work in hospitals, particularly rehab facilities. There is no reason why a clinical psychologist treating patients within his or her scope in a hospital should not be called by his or her proper title.

For example, many neuropsychologists work in rehab hospitals and regular acute care hospitals. One example of the work they do could be psychometric testing for memory disorders. Only clinical neuropsychologists are qualified to perform this intricate testing. Neurologists and psychiatrists aren't qualified to do this type of testing. This is only one example.

I'm not sure if anyone bothered to mention this, but I didn't see anyone post this. From wikipedia, doctor is latin for "teacher." So an MD, latin term Medicinae Docere is "teacher of medicine" (also from wikipedia) Just some food for thought. I've enjoyed reading llg's posts. I commend you for your accomplishments. As for using the title "doctor" in a clinical setting, I believe its totally up to the individual, just as long as they are clear what field they practice in.

Specializes in Palliative Care, NICU/NNP.
Only there is a profession called psychiatry. They are physicians. A hospital is a place where medicine is practiced. Thus, if it is under the realm of psychiatric medicine in a hospital, a psychologist should not be referred to as Doctor. Otherwise, sure...Why not?

Forgive me but what is your problem? There are a lot of disciplines practiced in a hospital and you really have a skewed sense of reality and respect.

Only there is a profession called psychiatry. They are physicians. A hospital is a place where medicine is practiced. Thus, if it is under the realm of psychiatric medicine in a hospital, a psychologist should not be referred to as Doctor. Otherwise, sure...Why not?

A psychiatrist is a psychiatrist and a psychologist is a psychologist.

Both have Ph.D's in their respective mental healthcare fields, but only the psychiatrist has an MD and writes prescriptions.

Psychiatrists usually receive their MD's first, and then do a 4-year residency in psychiatry.

I believe that if you have a PhD, and you choose to be called a "Dr.", then you have legally earned the right to do so. I also believe that you have a professional obligation to tell a patient, upon introduction, what kind of "Dr" you are...whether in nursing, psycholgist, whatever. I feel the same way with all MD's...if one comes into my room, and just says, "I'm Dr. Smith", the first thing I ask them if they don't mention it, is..."...and your specialty is??" They are usually embarrassed that they forgot to mention it.

To me, this is no different than when nurses identify themselves as the Nurse Practioner, the RN, the LPN. I have went to one urgent care center, where the NP had a PhD, and she walked in and said, "Hi, I'm Dr. Blakely, and I'm the Nurse Practitioner."

There was NOTHING confusing about that!

I think you had a type.....Psychiatrists don't have PhDs, only MDs, which they get after 4 years of schooling, and then they go to their residency.

-t

I think you had a type.....Psychiatrists don't have PhDs, only MDs, which they get after 4 years of schooling, and then they go to their residency.

-t

Yup, yup! You are right...that is what I get for trying to post after taking Nyquil :)

Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

If you earn a doctoral degree then you have earned the right to be called "Doctor." As far as the argument that it is confusing to the patients, that means we must educate them. As a CNA, future RN and male, I am constantly called "Doctor." This is because I am male. So, should all males be exempt from healthcare positions except for becoming a physcian because it is confusing to the patient....OR should we educate the public that men can be nurses and not ALL doctors are physcians? I say we dispel the myth that "Doctor equals physcian." I DO believe that, "I am Dr. so-and-so," should be followed with, "the Nurse Practitioner." However, I also believe that if you are the consulting physcian, you should state, "I am Dr so-and-so, the cardiologist assigned to your case." We should all identify ourselves and explain what we are there for. I do not care if you are house keeping, "Hello, I am Mr. Smith. I am with house keeping, and I am here to clean your room."

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
If you earn a doctoral degree then you have earned the right to be called "Doctor." As far as the argument that it is confusing to the patients, that means we must educate them. As a CNA, future RN and male, I am constantly called "Doctor." This is because I am male. So, should all males be exempt from healthcare positions except for becoming a physcian because it is confusing to the patient....OR should we educate the public that men can be nurses and not ALL doctors are physcians? I say we dispel the myth that "Doctor equals physcian." I DO believe that, "I am Dr. so-and-so," should be followed with, "the Nurse Practitioner." However, I also believe that if you are the consulting physcian, you should state, "I am Dr so-and-so, the cardiologist assigned to your case." We should all identify ourselves and explain what we are there for. I do not care if you are house keeping, "Hello, I am Mr. Smith. I am with house keeping, and I am here to clean your room."

Exactly

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