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?
For somebody to come in and state that APN= physician who has not doing either np or med school is equivalent to a premed telling people how to match neurosurgery lol
...at this point i just see an RN who has never prescribed meds or diagnosed anything touting nursing is better. Are you one of those nurses who saves patients from those mindless residents on a daily basis and has a list on his or her fridge of the times you "knew better than the doctor?"
Dude, I actually said nothing of the sort. Like Jules extrapolated the findings of the research he/she posted links to, you're extrapolating waaaaaaay beyond anything I posted.
On the contrary, I enjoy having very collaborative relationships with the physicians I work with in which there is a mutual understanding that our different educational, training, and professional experiences each provide value to patient care. In the world of anesthesia (since this is the CRNA forum after all, and I have no interest in discussing other APRN roles), there are certainly differences in how we become anesthesia providers, but both physician anesthesiologists and CRNAs provide anesthesia the exact same way with no difference in outcomes based on provider type. Period.
You seem to want to keep discussing NPs, so I suggest you troll their forum instead. You sound like a med student trying to protect your future turf. As for me, I think this thread has been hijacked quite enough, so I'm out. Peace.
Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, Cardiac/Renal, Ortho,FNP.
Well, my .02...I am NOT a CRNA or DNP but I'm a D.C., FNP. I work with a number of anesthesiologists, a psychologist, and other physicians. In general, do not EVER expect to be called "Dr." as long as you are in a state that requires physician supervision to practice. The way "they" see it is in their presence "they" are the only Doctors, not anyone else if they have to supervise YOU. It's stupid, egocentric, and demeaning to other practitioners but that's just the way it is. It can eat away at your self esteem if you let it so be careful how much you "cherish" that title. As for me, I am attentive to this fact since that's where my bread is buttered but I NEVER correct a patient that calls me doctor (as sometimes happens even when one is an RN!) as it IS correct but I am quick to point out that I am not their physician. If it ever gets into a ego wrestling match - that's my out. Otherwise, I personally do resent the fact that I have to go out of my way to have staff address me differently so patients won't get confused who 'officially' sets their plan of care. However, nobody forced me to take this job and if they told me tomorrow morning I'll pay you $XXX,XXX to go and eat crow all day with an egotistical physician I would still get up and say when do I start? We are Robin even when we wear a cape and mask, too. We will never be Batman in this comic world.
Well, my .02...I am NOT a CRNA or DNP but I'm a D.C., FNP. I work with a number of anesthesiologists, a psychologist, and other physicians. In general, do not EVER expect to be called "Dr." as long as you are in a state that requires physician supervision to practice. The way "they" see it is in their presence "they" are the only Doctors, not anyone else if they have to supervise YOU. It's stupid, egocentric, and demeaning to other practitioners but that's just the way it is. It can eat away at your self esteem if you let it so be careful how much you "cherish" that title. As for me, I am attentive to this fact since that's where my bread is buttered but I NEVER correct a patient that calls me doctor (as sometimes happens even when one is an RN!) as it IS correct but I am quick to point out that I am not their physician. If it ever gets into a ego wrestling match - that's my out. Otherwise, I personally do resent the fact that I have to go out of my way to have staff address me differently so patients won't get confused who 'officially' sets their plan of care. However, nobody forced me to take this job and if they told me tomorrow morning I'll pay you $XXX,XXX to go and eat crow all day with an egotistical physician I would still get up and say when do I start? We are Robin even when we wear a cape and mask, too. We will never be Batman in this comic world.
Just move to a state with independent practice for APRNs. Open your own practice, use your title how you see fit while also positively representing your field as a Nurse Practitioner. Make sure your patients have high-quality care and make sure the whole world knows it was from an exceptional doctorate prepared CRNP.
Forget trying to play ego/political games of batman and robin, go be Superman somewhere else.
Before I went into anesthesia as a nurse, I remember looking at these NP's and CRNA's as some kind of bad a**es on the order of special forces types, only nurses. They stood out intellectually and in pure technical ability precisely because they were not physicians, but they could think and act so critically. But they'd put BP cuffs and ekg pads on just like me. It was really cool to watch and I wanted to be one of them. If they called themselves "doctor" I wouldn't have thought they were anything special at all. Just one more doctor...yawn.....
Shanimal
184 Posts
Dude, I actually said nothing of the sort. Like Jules extrapolated the findings of the research he/she posted links to, you're extrapolating waaaaaaay beyond anything I posted.
On the contrary, I enjoy having very collaborative relationships with the physicians I work with in which there is a mutual understanding that our different educational, training, and professional experiences each provide value to patient care. In the world of anesthesia (since this is the CRNA forum after all, and I have no interest in discussing other APRN roles), there are certainly differences in how we become anesthesia providers, but both physician anesthesiologists and CRNAs provide anesthesia the exact same way with no difference in outcomes based on provider type. Period.
You seem to want to keep discussing NPs, so I suggest you troll their forum instead. You sound like a med student trying to protect your future turf. As for me, I think this thread has been hijacked quite enough, so I'm out. Peace.