Do You get Upset When you are Called a Physican Extender

I agree there is a huge fight going on regarding what NPS/PAs are called. Yesterday when I was talking through the park, a group of 50 PAs and NPs had a battle Royale with some docs that are from the other side of town over what we should all be called. Looked like something off of anchor man.... You know because this is such an important topic we really should figure out what to be called, people's lives are at stake..... omg omg omg.

So back to planet earth, just wondering....If things like this bother you, how do you sleep at night?

None of the above. How about "nurse practitioner?"

The people that get upset over stuff like this, to put it in a nice way, place disproportionate emphasis on their person as opposed to their role. Speaking for myself (and I'm sure most folks), I seek validation through my patients outcomes given the circumstances they present with and the endorsement, affirmation and honest constructive criticism from my physician and advanced practice colleagues.

I tell my patients and their families that I'm the nurse anesthetist. Some say nothing, and to those that ask, I give a simple explanation without sounding like a political campaign ad.

I don't misrepresent myself, I don't use patients to advance a political agenda and I do not allow anyone to be confused as to who I am or what I do with vague ambiguities. To this end I do not allow nurses training for advanced practice roles to use the term "resident" when introducing themselves.

I have a religion, and it isn't advanced practice nursing.

It doesn't offend me. I refer to myself as a nurse practitioner. i care that I am treated with respect and the paycheck is made out to the correct person.

Yes, Yes, Yes....Tikkum Olam.

If a person does not want to be referred to by a certain name, then don't refer to them by that name. Is it so difficult to refer to someone as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant? That's like calling someone by a name they hate, when they've introduced themselves by a different name. It does not matter that it doesn't bother some, it only matters to the rest. I would never refer to a physician as a high-level provider. He is a physician and earned that title. What would you call a physical therapist or occupational therapist that has earned a doctorate and has direct patient access? A mid-level provider? This whole discussion about mid-level or physician extender terminology has more to do with respecting care being provided rather than the name itself. I've never heard a PA or NP introduce themself as either one of these terms. Does anyone introduce themself that way and why or why not? I'd like to hear that side.

I've never heard the term 'physician extender'. Sounds like some kind of attachment or tool, like a back-scratcher. "The Physician Extender: for when your physician just can't be there. Call now! Operators standing by! And if you order NOW, we'll send TWO! Only $19.99."

Here the term used is APP (advanced practice provider) and I kinda like that better although I usually don't care what you call me as long as they still pay me.