Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill into law May 2 preventing nonphysicians from using specialty titles such as "doctor," in an effort to promote transparency for patients.
Senate Bill 197 was written by state Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, a certified anesthesiologist assistant. It's summary outlines an aim "to prohibit deceptive or misleading terms or false representations by healthcare practitioners in advertisements and representations" and to do the same regarding the "misappropriation of medical or medical specialty titles."
Were there other groups referring to themselves as doctors in hospitals before DNP programs?
I knew of an optometrist that would introduce himself as Dr when he came to Country Bumpkin General. I wasn't any the wiser when I first started there, he gave me orders for a CT and meds, etc. When he walked off, another nurse explained that he was an eye Dr in town, the patient in questions son/POA, and to just ignore, as he liked to try to exert authority over new faces on the floor. I was to call house supervisor and report, and not write those orders in chart, but write a note about the incident. This was 25ish years ago, so it's been going on a while
Outside of the hospital, my young cousin brought home her new boyfriend, who all were told he was a Dr, and was to be addressed as such ? after discussions with the 5 nurses in the family, found out he's not an MD as implied (yes, he and my cousin implied he was an MD), but has a PhD in Sociology, is $280 grand in debt, and can't find a job at 30 years old with that degree, 0 experience, and not a big call for that major. He honestly thought that he could work as a practicing psychiatrist with that degree, no one at his university bothered to tell him otherwise ?
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
Hoosier_RN said:
I knew of an optometrist that would introduce himself as Dr when he came to Country Bumpkin General. I wasn't any the wiser when I first started there, he gave me orders for a CT and meds, etc. When he walked off, another nurse explained that he was an eye Dr in town, the patient in questions son/POA, and to just ignore, as he liked to try to exert authority over new faces on the floor. I was to call house supervisor and report, and not write those orders in chart, but write a note about the incident. This was 25ish years ago, so it's been going on a while
Outside of the hospital, my young cousin brought home her new boyfriend, who all were told he was a Dr, and was to be addressed as such ? after discussions with the 5 nurses in the family, found out he's not an MD as implied (yes, he and my cousin implied he was an MD), but has a PhD in Sociology, is $280 grand in debt, and can't find a job at 30 years old with that degree, 0 experience, and not a big call for that major. He honestly thought that he could work as a practicing psychiatrist with that degree, no one at his university bothered to tell him otherwise ?
That seems silly. Sociology isn't about individual thinking or behavior, that's psychology. Doctors of Psychology do work with individuals and their behavior but even they don't practice psychiatry. All of them have earned th he title "doctor"
I knew of an optometrist that would introduce himself as Dr when he came to Country Bumpkin General. I wasn't any the wiser when I first started there, he gave me orders for a CT and meds, etc. When he walked off, another nurse explained that he was an eye Dr in town, the patient in questions son/POA, and to just ignore, as he liked to try to exert authority over new faces on the floor. I was to call house supervisor and report, and not write those orders in chart, but write a note about the incident. This was 25ish years ago, so it's been going on a while
Outside of the hospital, my young cousin brought home her new boyfriend, who all were told he was a Dr, and was to be addressed as such ? after discussions with the 5 nurses in the family, found out he's not an MD as implied (yes, he and my cousin implied he was an MD), but has a PhD in Sociology, is $280 grand in debt, and can't find a job at 30 years old with that degree, 0 experience, and not a big call for that major. He honestly thought that he could work as a practicing psychiatrist with that degree, no one at his university bothered to tell him otherwise ?
Maybe he can begin a new therapeutic field - Cultural Therapy in a group setting ?
Nope, very sure that it's sociology. And this "gentleman" doesn't seem to be the sharpest crayon in the box, but still amazed that no one told him at the U in another state (CA) where he's from. It's a reputable institution. On a sad note, my aunt and uncle were under the impression that he was a psychiatrist as well, and couldn't understand why no healthcare groups were snapping him up. They bragged that their DD had landed a Dr. She did, just not the kind that they thought and were led to believe
Nope, very sure that it's sociology. And this "gentleman" doesn't seem to be the sharpest crayon in the box, but still amazed that no one told him at the U in another state (CA) where he's from. It's a reputable institution. On a sad note, my aunt and uncle were under the impression that he was a psychiatrist as well, and couldn't understand why no healthcare groups were snapping him up. They bragged that their DD had landed a Dr. She did, just not the kind that they thought and were led to believe
Like it or not, in the healthcare setting, the term "doctor" is considered by the general public to mean "physician." I consider it inappropriate for mid-level providers (or pharmacists or PTs or simple bedside RNs) to introduce themselves as "doctor." There is no need and it simply creates the potential for confusion.
It is too darn hard work, time and monetary input to earn a doctoral degree. You have 'earned' your credentials, so use them.
I made a conscious decision to drop out of a doctoral program as I was not willing to make the sacrifice and effort or take the pay cut of becoming a teaching assistant again, or conversely, spend all my savings/go into debt to get another degree.
I think everyone has to do what's best for them when it comes to advancing their education (or not). Getting a Doctorate is not necessary for everyone because for many nursing jobs, a doctorate (or even an MSN) isn't needed. It was for me because I am an educator and you need a doctorate to even be hired in most cases (for a FT and/or tenured position), be competitive in the field/on par with peers, and be qualified to teach beyond the Bachelors level.
I think everyone has to do what's best for them when it comes to advancing their education (or not). Getting a Doctorate is not necessary for everyone because for many nursing jobs, a doctorate (or even an MSN) isn't needed. It was for me because I am an educator and you need a doctorate to even be hired in most cases (for a FT and/or tenured position), be competitive in the field/on par with peers, and be qualified to teach beyond the Bachelors level.
Who is saying that getting a Doctorate is necessary for anyone? Obviously you to need one to be a Professor of anything. For a professor to be called "Doctor" in an academic setting is quite separate from using the title in a patient care situation. Back in the dark ages, we actually called professors "Professor" because that's what they wanted. They didn't need to have their ego stroked because everyone who taught at their level had a PhD.
Who is saying that getting a Doctorate is necessary for anyone? Obviously you to need one to be a Professor of anything. For a professor to be called "Doctor" in an academic setting is quite separate from using the title in a patient care situation. Back in the dark ages, we actually called professors "Professor" because that's what they wanted. They didn't need to have their ego stroked because everyone who taught at their level had a PhD.
First of all, nobody said anyone needed a doctorate for anything. I was responding to someone else (not you) who quoted an earlier post of mine. Getting an advanced education is not about getting anyone's "ego stroked" as you suggest. Your post comes across as seeming very "bitter" and "triggered" about advanced education for some reason. Maybe you should consider talking to another "Dr" such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or Psych NP to discuss your issues.
First of all, nobody said anyone needed a doctorate for anything. I was responding to someone else (not you) who quoted an earlier post of mine. Getting an advanced education is not about getting anyone's "ego stroked" as you suggest. Your post comes across as seeming very "bitter" and "triggered" about advanced education for some reason. Maybe you should consider talking to another "Dr" such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or Psych NP to discuss your issues.
I spent 14 years in college ending in a MSN from an Ivy League school because I wanted the best instruction money could buy. Just because I propose a title for the DNP clinical practitioner that reflect both nurse AND doctor, you interpret this to mean I'm against advanced education? What's the logic behind that? You can see that I was a CRNA. How could I have invested so much in that and be anti education?
Hoosier_RN, MSN
3,968 Posts
I knew of an optometrist that would introduce himself as Dr when he came to Country Bumpkin General. I wasn't any the wiser when I first started there, he gave me orders for a CT and meds, etc. When he walked off, another nurse explained that he was an eye Dr in town, the patient in questions son/POA, and to just ignore, as he liked to try to exert authority over new faces on the floor. I was to call house supervisor and report, and not write those orders in chart, but write a note about the incident. This was 25ish years ago, so it's been going on a while
Outside of the hospital, my young cousin brought home her new boyfriend, who all were told he was a Dr, and was to be addressed as such ? after discussions with the 5 nurses in the family, found out he's not an MD as implied (yes, he and my cousin implied he was an MD), but has a PhD in Sociology, is $280 grand in debt, and can't find a job at 30 years old with that degree, 0 experience, and not a big call for that major. He honestly thought that he could work as a practicing psychiatrist with that degree, no one at his university bothered to tell him otherwise ?