I remembered reading an old post awhile ago where an NP (who got her DNP) was told by Human Resources that she couldn't use the title "Doctor" at the hospital, because it would mislead the patients.
I am wondering if anyone has seen or heard anything similar where they work (you personally or someone else).
If hospitals are "all about introductions", I see nothing wrong with telling a patient, "Hi, I'm Dr. Smith, I'm a Nurse Practioner"...I see no difference between that and saying, "Hi, I'm Dr. Jones and I'm your Cardiologist".
To me, that would be a HUGE slap in the fact to someone who has worked hard for that degree, because they are entitled to use that title.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
The two most marked understatements I can think of that I hear people use all the time are "I'm just a Mom" and "I'm just a nurse". There's no such thing as either, AFAIC.
I agree with the other poster that said they have a PA running around introducing himself as his first name, and that he works in neurosurgery, and therefore, people assume he is a neurosurgeon.
To me, since just about everyone in a hospital is wearing similar uniforms EVERYONE should identify themselves accordingly.
I'm a student, and we wear long lab coats at clinicals with an all-white uniform.
This past Tuesday, I had an older lady tap me on the shoulder and she smiled and said, "You look like a doctor, can you tell me where Dr. Smith is? My husband needs him and no one has come in our room in awhile."
I explained that I was only a nursing student and she shook her head and said, "I remember the days when you always knew who the doctors and nurses were. Now you just don't know."
I found her the person she was looking for...but that speaks VOLUMES of how many people view the hospital staff.
I remember working as an organ procurement technician with the eye bank. I was on call and would perform the sterile surgical procedure to remove corneas for transplant and whole eyes for research. I did not even have my bachelors yet. I cannot tell you the number of times someone would tap me on the shoulder and start talking to me as if I were a physician...all the while I am thinking...you got it all wrong I am just here for the dead guys eyes...my name tag even designated me as an organ procurement technician. Anyone wearing a lab coat is a physician for most people...this is why patient education and standardization of medical titles are so important. In my case I did not even have to introduce myself...so the misconception isn't really with introductions so much as ignorance.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.
n_g:
Just curious and no offense intended, but are most med students (or hopeful pre-meds-don't quite know where you fit in) as contemptuous and shallow as to go to a nursing forum and attack their profession. The student doctor crowd seems to be an embarrassment to the medical profession. There are deeper reasons why people become physicians than to flaunt there ego and fantasies of intellectual superiority. Some people actually like what they study and actually want to be doctors to help heal the sick, not to degrade other members of the health care team. I am surprised why these attitudes of contempt are tolerated to the degree that they are on this forum.
I hope I have the opportunity to work with you...you love to stir the pot don't you? I wonder how many buttons you have that I can push? What fun you must be. :chuckle
I'm just injecting some reality in these discussions. I don't want to spend an extra two years of my life because Mundinger has an axe to grind with MD's. I'm not the only one who has said it on this forum. The DNP curriculum is a joke. If Mundinger wants to make it equivalent to MD's, then give us a real curriculum that will prepare us to do so. What I see will not do anything to help me earn a higher income or increase my scope.
I have a Ph.D. that I worked my tail off for. I start nursing school in the fall. My husband jokes that it might be a little unusual for a nursing student to be called "doctor". :) Am I going to insist that people call me Dr.? No. Do I want Ph.D. on my name tag? You bet.
I realize that this is a different scenario than the one the OP presented. But heck, anyone with a doctorate is at least entitled to be called Dr. if s/he wants.
I'm just injecting some reality in these discussions. I don't want to spend an extra two years of my life because Mundinger has an axe to grind with MD's. I'm not the only one who has said it on this forum. The DNP curriculum is a joke. If Mundinger wants to make it equivalent to MD's, then give us a real curriculum that will prepare us to do so. What I see will not do anything to help me earn a higher income or increase my scope.
What kind of reality? Last I checked advanced education was a voluntary pursuit. If the DNP is not good enough for you then do not obtain the DNP. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, if your gripe is that the DNP is not what is should be or that it is being touted as something it is not then perhaps you should become involved in the process governing certification guidelines. Complaining about how something works does nothing to "fix" it if indeed it needs to be fixed.
While the DNP has been around for some time it is only within the past few years that it has truly gained momentum. As with any theory, idea, etc that is put into practice there is a process of development that occurs over time as practice often reveals areas of improvement. Again, if you strongly feel that you have the hindsight to reveal such flaws and to offer constructive criticism...you know the kind of criticism that not only tells someone how "stupid" something is but that has a suggestion on how to make it not so "stupid"...then please present your ideas and concerns to a governing body that can do something about it. Write letters with your research and findings (or publish your research and findings in a peer reviewed journal), join organizations that support your cause or start one yourself, or even join the organization that has power over the decision making process and run for office so that your two cents is worth a little more than everyone else's two cents.
Otherwise all your yapping is just pointless blabber and white noise to all who hear it. And, do not think for one minute that one person cannot illicit change...that is complete bunk. Own your beliefs by putting them into practice...make your ideas and opinions count by finding a solution to what you perceive as a problem and then give your solution to someone who can make a difference. Or, become that person who makes a difference yourself.
"It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference."
LydiaNN
2,756 Posts
The two most marked understatements I can think of that I hear people use all the time are "I'm just a Mom" and "I'm just a nurse". There's no such thing as either, AFAIC.