Do pH nurses change their title to doctors?

Specialties Doctoral

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I am curious as to whether nurses are called doctors once they finish their pHD in nursing? I am not sure if it matters much to be called doctor but I imagine the extra knowlege is very rewarding because it can help patients directly.

I don't know what is wrong with your family, most people who have a PhD go by "Dr", think Professors. 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

raindrop - I don't have any fancy degree, but my Hungarian immigrant grandmom was soooo proud of my RN. I was the first grandchild to graduate in a professional career.

Sometimes I would have to stop over at her house as I was leaving my hosp. My Mom requested that I wear my RN cap outside as I walked on the street to Grandmom's. It was her 'bragging rights' to her neighbors.  

Your post made me smile at the memory.

 

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.
21 hours ago, whatintheworld said:

I don't know what is wrong with your family, most people who have a PhD go by "Dr", think Professors. 

People with any academic doctoral degree are considered doctor. The word root is Latin - meaning "teacher," not "I went to a medical school." I just hope when I'm old I won't still be seeing this "only medical doctors are doctors" horse dung so rampant online. I suspect I will though. 

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In the clinical setting they are not called Doctor by patients and staff. In Academia setting everyone calls them Doctor. 

Its supposed to help differentiate between MD and non MDs for patients 

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Specializes in Occupational Health.
On 4/30/2020 at 2:16 PM, Tegridy said:

Depends if your pH is acidic or Basic

dang it!  Beat me to it!

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.
On 5/1/2020 at 12:46 PM, Numenor said:

Regardless, it still doesn't happen that way. The only "doctors" by name in he hospital are physicians.

Depends on where you work. I find most of the NPs where I work will go by first name and docs are a mix. However I do hear some of our NPs addressed as "Dr. So-and-So, NP on X unit" by colleagues and legally with in my state NPs with doctorates are allowed to introduce themselves as "Dr. So-and-Do" in clinical settings so long as they clarify that it is a nursing doctorate. 

 

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

Do PhD psychologists who are called “Dr” have to say they aren’t MDs too? 

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.
35 minutes ago, Hannahbanana said:

Do PhD psychologists who are called “Dr” have to say they aren’t MDs too? 

The ones I will work with will introduce themselves as "Dr. So-and-So, unit psychologist"  or "Dr. So-and-so, clinical psychologist"  

Not sure if this a legal requirement for them like it is for NPs, but most want to make it really clear than they are psychologists and do NOT want the patient to launch into a high level of detail about their bowel movements, weird medical issues, or medication questions, that they will get if they do not (or sometimes even if they do) make it extremely clear what their role is. 

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

Are you sure it’s a LEGAL requirement for the NP to say s/he is not a physician? Because s/he IS a doctor; same with a PhD psychologist. Most lay people think a psychologist, being a “doctor” is a physician.
 

I’m betting it’s a made-up rule, unless you can quote me from the nurse practice act where you are. 

As to identifying specialty so as to avoid convos about BMs, etc., I expect any neurologist or derm doc would do that, so we needn’t take special care to protect psychologists, LOL.

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.
3 hours ago, Hannahbanana said:

Are you sure it’s a LEGAL requirement for the NP to say s/he is not a physician? Because s/he IS a doctor; same with a PhD psychologist. Most lay people think a psychologist, being a “doctor” is a physician.

I just looked it up -it's a legal requirement in my state-- part of the state regulatory statutes and applies to anyone in healthcare using the title "Doctor" in their healthcare professional practice. In order to be called "Doctor" one must 1) have a doctorate in the field of healthcare in which they are working, 2) be licensed by a professional regulatory board for the area in which they have the degree and 3) if using the title in healthcare practice, must identify the profession in which they hold a doctoral degree.

 

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Specializes in Family Nursing & Psychiatry.

I believe advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) who have terminal degrees in Nursing (DNP, DNAP, PhD) should have their education and training be regarded by referring to them  Dr. (insert surname). As nursing practice advances with full practice authority, we as nurses will be able to provide comprehensive care to our patients. 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

It's also a sign of recognition & respect that's afforded others in their respective fields of practice. So WHY NOT put nsg on par with other distinguished professionals?!? THEY don't seem to have a problem!

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