Members are discussing the quality of education between Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) and physicians, with some arguing that outcomes are similar regardless of education level. The conversation also touches on the need for high-quality research to support claims about education superiority and the potential impact of different educational backgrounds on patient care. Some members are questioning the validity of studies comparing APNs and physicians and the implications of educational differences on healthcare outcomes.
A conversation came up in my class today, about whether or not to use the title "doctor" after we graduate. We will have earned our doctorate, and my professor has their's as well, but mentioned that it is not well received by the MDs/DOs, and that it is each CRNA's choice to use it or not, but that personally it's not a battle they will fight.
My thoughts, naively I'm sure as I'm just beginning my schooling, is that I will have earned it, I will be proud of it, and I want to use it. It shows the level of education that I have acquired. I can see myself introducing myself as "I'm Dr. Dream, I am your nurse anesthetist that will be doing your anesthesia today.
Is this a pipe dream? Other fields that earn a PHD, or other things use the title Dr.
I know this wades a bit into the politics of the anesthesia world, and I'm sorry for that, but I'm truly curious how people that are in practice, identify themselves once they have earned that doctoral degree. Given that the requirement is going to doctorate, and eventually the majority will indeed have a doctoral degree, I think it's reasonable to use it. Thoughts?
Of all the things to worry bout though who gets to be called doctor probably isn't the biggest battle to pick. If somebody gets a doctoral degree just so they can be called doctor they prob got some personality issues
I see both sides. I can see the confusion happening...and I in no way want to be considered an MD or DO. That was not my path, and I know what I know and am who I am because of nursing. So I see the DNP as a way to show that I got a terminal degree in my field? That should lend credibility or comfort to those that I am doing their anesthesia that I learned anesthesia to a doctoral level. And I do believe that I am getting a "rigorous" education into anesthesia. Anyway I introduce myself, it will have NURSE anesthetist in it. I dunno, it's not the biggest deal. It was just a conversation in class that got me thinking about it for the first time and I wondered what real people did in their practice settings across the U.S.
If you have earned a doctorate and properly introduce yourself with your title (Dr. X nurse anesthetist/NP etc) then that should be your choice whether to use the title or not. The real issue is when we start letting physician groups dictate what we call ourselves.
I don't know I think it's a little misleading. As a patient I would want to know the credentials of who was taking care of me, for instance if I was a critically ill patient in the ICU and an LPN introduced themselves as my nurse I would assume they were an RN. If I knew they were an LPN I would question that. My example is not the greatest analogy but it's just to give you an idea.
I don't know I think it's a little misleading. As a patient I would want to know the credentials of who was taking care of me, for instance if I was a critically ill patient in the ICU and an LPN introduced themselves as my nurse I would assume they were an RN. If I knew they were an LPN I would question that. My example is not the greatest analogy but it's just to give you an idea.
Hi, I am Dr. X a nurse anesthetist. How is that misleading. Do interns say I'm Dr X the intern who just started 6 days ago. Do residents state I'm a resident in my 1st year that is why I was sent to see you so the senior resident/attending doesn't have to be bothered. There is a lot of deception in healthcare but introducing yourself as Dr x followed by your title isn't one of them.
Hi, I am Dr. X a nurse anesthetist. How is that misleading. Do interns say I'm Dr X the intern who just started 6 days ago. Do residents state I'm a resident in my 1st year that is why I was sent to see you so the senior resident/attending doesn't have to be bothered. There is a lot of deception in healthcare but introducing yourself as Dr x followed by your title isn't one of them.
Plus, most of us in nursing wear badges that clearly list our credentials.
Hi, I am Dr. X a nurse anesthetist. How is that misleading. Do interns say I'm Dr X the intern who just started 6 days ago. Do residents state I'm a resident in my 1st year that is why I was sent to see you so the senior resident/attending doesn't have to be bothered. There is a lot of deception in healthcare but introducing yourself as Dr x followed by your title isn't one of them.
Hmmmm.... I never thought of it quite that way. Good point.
Hi, I am Dr. X a nurse anesthetist. How is that misleading. Do interns say I'm Dr X the intern who just started 6 days ago. Do residents state I'm a resident in my 1st year that is why I was sent to see you so the senior resident/attending doesn't have to be bothered. There is a lot of deception in healthcare but introducing yourself as Dr x followed by your title isn't one of them.
Thank the Lord for you, Wtbcrna. Sometimes I read some comments from people claiming to be APRNs on here and I almost hope they are internet trolls rather than real life APRNs.
If you have a Florence Nightingale complex please stay at the bedside and continue pressing your white skirt and wearing that white hat. The rest of us are in 2018 with doctorates performing research and advancing the field. Acknowledging and respecting the past is one thing, living in the past is stagnant death.
A competitor provider will not encourage their competition to advance their practice, recognition, education, or title. If you're standing around waiting for them to encourage it, you'll be standing for a long time. Know your state laws, understand that you must not impersonate a physician, always include your credentials if you use your title.
Don't expect Florence to like it. She will be over there making sure she can bounce a coin off the bed another nurse made.
Thank the Lord for you, Wtbcrna. Sometimes I read some comments from people claiming to be APRNs on here and I almost hope they are internet trolls rather than real life APRNs.
If you have a Florence Nightingale complex please stay at the bedside and continue pressing your white skirt and wearing that white hat. The rest of us are in 2018 with doctorates performing research and advancing the field. Acknowledging and respecting the past is one thing, living in the past is stagnant death.
A competitor provider will not encourage their competition to advance their practice, recognition, education, or title. If you're standing around waiting for them to encourage it, you'll be standing for a long time. Know your state laws, understand that you must not impersonate a physician, always include your credentials if you use your title.
Don't expect Florence to like it. She will be over there making sure she can bounce a coin off the bed another nurse made.
I'm not sure why so many people always invoke Florence Nightingale to portray a negative aspect of nursing or criticize some nurses. In re: this discussion, she had high (by the standards of the times) academic standards for students in her schools and high expectations generally of nurses. She required that applicants for her nursing school be able to read and write, which was unusual for women at the time, and her big contribution to nursing was developing an organized, systematic model of nursing education (instead of OTJ training) and writing the first nursing textbook, not making beds. I don't know why you think she would not, today, support the idea of nurses furthering their educations and advancing their careers and the discipline generally. (And there's nothing wrong with white dresses and caps (not "hats")! :))
I'm not sure why so many people always invoke Florence Nightingale to portray a negative aspect of nursing or criticize some nurses. In re: this discussion, she had high (by the standards of the times) academic standards for students in her schools and high expectations generally of nurses. She required that applicants for her nursing school be able to read and write, which was unusual for women at the time, and her big contribution to nursing was developing an organized, systematic model of nursing education (instead of OTJ training) and writing the first nursing textbook, not making beds. I don't know why you think she would not, today, support the idea of nurses furthering their educations and advancing their careers and the discipline generally. (And there's nothing wrong with white dresses and caps (not "hats")! :))
Florence Nightingale did many great things for nursing, but she also set us back several decades for gender equality in nursing and taught nurses to be subservient to physicians.
In that aspect Florence Nightingale represents an old rigid aspect of nursing that is no longer advocated or recommended.
Thank the Lord for you, Wtbcrna. Sometimes I read some comments from people claiming to be APRNs on here and I almost hope they are internet trolls rather than real life APRNs.
Dramatic much? Perhaps my patients aren't as savvy as some or many of the DNPs I know just rarely add the full on 10 minute diatribe of their title and credentials prior to introducing themselves as a "Dr" but I've rarely seen it work out as smoothly as it is portrayed here to be. And while I might look like a troll on some days in reality I'm not an actual internet troll, just someone who thinks there needs to be limits on who can call themselves Dr. in a hospital setting.
Elk I can only wish Florence's requirements that prospective nursing students were actually able to read and write still applied to the underwhelming admissions process many schools have now.
Dramatic much? Perhaps my patients aren't as savvy as some or many of the DNPs I know just rarely add the full on 10 minute diatribe of their title and credentials prior to introducing themselves as a "Dr" but I've rarely seen it work out as smoothly as it is portrayed here to be.
"Good morning, I'm Dr. Smith your CRNA providing your anesthesia today." That should take you less than 10 minutes. It encompasses all the information required to inform your patient about who you are, your education, and what you will be doing for them.
Progress is never made with complacency or apathy.
Spadeforce
191 Posts
Of all the things to worry bout though who gets to be called doctor probably isn't the biggest battle to pick. If somebody gets a doctoral degree just so they can be called doctor they prob got some personality issues