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

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2006

I think the key is if the doctorate is a clinical doctorate. If one has a clinical doctorate, I think it is appropriate to use the title with patients. I would think it's also incumbant upon the user of the title to introduce what sort of doctor they are, so the patient does not think they are dealing with a physician.
But to only allow physicians to use the title of doctor? That's just bogus and disrespectful of professionals with clinical doctorates. The psychologists wouldn't allow themselves to be diminished, because they are doctors.

Interesting post.

My clinical instructor is an ER NP in Peds. I always call her Dr. ******, to the confusion of everyone working there because she insists that everyone just call her by her first name (and I can't do that. Call faculty on first name basis?! Sacrilege! I'm just not used to it!! :eek: )

suebird3 · Apr 7, 2006

The vast majority of my teachers at SXU are Doctorates. However, I just called them "Professor XYZ".

Still....a Doctorate is a Doctorate. They earned it.....

Suebird

Papadoc · Apr 7, 2006

I, too, am curious which states, Papadoc? Could you please cite this?
If the title is earned, I don't know of any state where this is prohibited by law.

Hi Siri, and everyone else!

I've been a little swamped this week by my work. But I will get this info for you some time soon. It's come up a couple of times for me, personally. I do not hold any doctoral degrees...yet. But, I'm licensed as an acupuncturist in both NY and NJ. NJ state has their own board exams in additiona to the national boards (NCCAOM). In NJ statutes for acupuncture, the law specifically states that practitioners who hold OMD or DOM (Oriental Medical Doctor or Doctor of Oriental Medicine) are NOT to use these titles when advertising, or introducing yourself to a pt. Even though it's legit, and fully recognized in CA, NM, NV, RI and some other States. Also, in the sever health care organizations (not only inpatient) where I used to work before, there P/P in place that prohibit use of the title "Dr.", unless one holds MD, DO, DDS, OD or DPM degrees. (according to some section law that I didn't bother to check at a time), pertinent to clinical practice. It could be some local (Tri-State) area thing, but they made a specific destinction between clinical, and non-clinical (academic) doctorates. Those were my encounters with the "Dr". You could have others. But honestly..I have yet to see or walk

into the room at the hospital, let's say during morning rounds, where there is bunch of attendigs, residents, interns, med students etc, and have any non-physicians introduce themselves as "I'm Dr. so and so":nono: But in academia, of course, it's a tatally different ball game.

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 7, 2006

But honestly..I have yet to see or walk
into the room at the hospital, let's say during morning rounds, where there is bunch of attendigs, residents, interns, med students etc, and have any non-physicians introduce themselves as "I'm Dr. so and so":nono:

And, that would be one of the only times a non-physician would not want to hold themselves out to be Dr.

Papadoc · Apr 7, 2006

And, that would be one of the only times a non-physician would not want to hold themselves out to be Dr.

Well, but why? Adoc is a doc is a doc, if we were to follow the logic of "Dr." entitlement proponents. I think folks with clinical doctorates hold themselves out as doctors regardless of the situation, or who else is present. That was my exactly my point earlier. Nobody takes away from the accomplishments of other doctoral achievers. But it's clinical vs academic meaning of the title "Dr",IMHO.

texas-rn-fnp · Apr 10, 2006

I see most people who have a doctorate refer to themselves as Dr... I understand this is technically correct, but frequently misleading to other people. I am against using it except for physicians since it creates confusion. Perhaps there should be a better or different terminology.

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 10, 2006

I see most people who have a doctorate refer to themselves as Dr... I understand this is technically correct, but frequently misleading to other people. I am against using it except for physicians since it creates confusion. Perhaps there should be a better or different terminology.

If there is a need for additional terminology, then the physicians should be the ones who change -- or at least make some gesture of concilliation toward the PhD's. The PhD's were "here first" and have the higher ranking academic degree. The phyisicians' use of that designation is a relatively recent development in the course of history.

It's just downright wrong to place physicians on a pedastal like that.

If patients become confused ... we all have an obligation to educate them by explaining our role in their care. That includes physicians. Nurses (and others with PhD's and other legitimate doctorates) shouldn't have to take a back seat.

llg

prairienp · Apr 10, 2006

I see most people who have a doctorate refer to themselves as Dr... I understand this is technically correct, but frequently misleading to other people. I am against using it except for physicians since it creates confusion. Perhaps there should be a better or different terminology.

Would this apply to the OD or PharmD? When at a eye clinic is the MD called something different than the OD? My expereince is they are both referred to as Dr. Smith. Even though the educational differences are significant. Now compare the Family practice MD to the Doctorate NP (PhD or DNP. The gap between educational levels is smaller when compared to the OD and opthamologist. As I recall the OD is 3 years post Bachelors, the Opthamologist is at least 9 years post Bachelors. The FNP doctorate is 3 years post bachelors and the Family Practice MD is 7 years post Bachelors. I am not counting the years of RN experience between the Bachelors and starting graduate school. Maybe I am using "fuzzy" math? So we call the OD Dr. Smith and not the NP doctorate? I guess I am wondering why the OD Dr. prefix is not really questioned by patients/staff/ others.

traumaprincess · Apr 10, 2006

This is a great thread!!! I just have to add my two stories.

I got report from the ER RN, she said I would be receiving Dr. so and so... She gave me report and I waited for the patient. When the patient arrived she was this sweet elderly lady. I aked her what she liked to be called, she told me Dr. so and so. After a while of talking to her it seemed she had VERY little medical experience. I said what is your doctorate in? She said English. Aha.

Second story. A patients daughter seemed to have some medical knowledge. But not enough for me to believe that she was a medical MD even though she introduced herself as Dr. so and so. After talking to her for some time I was convinced that she could not be an MD, even though it seemed that was what she wanted me to believe. I asked her what her medical specialty was. She paused for a bit and then told me she was a veterinarian.

I would have to agree with llg

If there is a need for additional terminology, then the physicians should be the ones who change -- or at least make some gesture of concilliation toward the PhD's. The PhD's were "here first" and have the higher ranking academic degree. The phyisicians' use of that designation is a relatively recent development in the course of history.

definition I found:

MD:New Latin medicinae doctor doctor of medicine;

Doctor:1 a : an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic Church -- called also doctor of the church b : a learned or authoritative teacher c : a person who has earned one of the highest academic degrees (as a PhD) conferred by a university d : a person awarded an honorary doctorate (as an LLD or Litt D) by a college or university

NeuroNP · Apr 12, 2006

Here's my question:

As I understand it, a physician educated in Australia or the UK does NOT recieve a doctoral degree, but rather an MBBS (Which I believe is a Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery?). I also believe that physicians are not addressed as "Dr. So and So" in the UK or Australia. (Please correct me if I'm wrong). So, how come then when they come to practice in the US, do they get the right to be addressed as "Dr."?

Is it because it is confusing to call them "Mr."? If so, I can understand that and would say that's ok. But then by the same token, if you've earned a doctoral degree in something else, you should get the "Dr." moniker as well.

Yes?

nursetim, NP · Apr 12, 2006

My father has a juris doctorate, I asked him why he didn't call himself Doctor? He said that he was not allowed to by statute in NC. That said I heard the story of my father getting the state bar exam score in Mass. As he came down the stairs he said everyone could now call him doctor.

Papadoc · Apr 13, 2006

Here is an interesting thread from the good ol' SDN on the topic (just one of many, I believe) :devil: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=272311

Have Fun:lol2: