MDs dont own the physician title

[platon20]

I think there is a lot of confusion on this board about titles. MDs do NOT own the physician title.

In fact, it has been legal for years for a chiropractor to call himself a "chiropractic physician"

Pharmacists, DPTs, and anybody else with a doctoral degree can also use the "physician" title.

In 20 years DNPs will be able to introduce themselves as a "nurse-physician" and it will be totally normal and acceptable.

[nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP]

Same with podiatrists and optometrists.

Um, I don't think "physician" has anything to do with doctoral level education...nor have I ever heard of a pharmacist calling themselves a physician. I think, in fact, that only MDs and DOs may call themselves physicians. It is in fact a protected title.

Perhaps you're thinking of "doctor" - which anyone with a PhD can call themselves, including a "doctor of nursing" degree holder..

Ugh. The things you people post on here...[/

A few years ago I worked for a Chiropractor who worked directly for the military. They were titled "chiropractic physician." It is not necessarily exclusive to DOs or MDs.

[IcySageNurse]

Same with podiatrists and optometrists.

Well you see I immediately posted an article showing who CAN use it.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I'm of two minds on the subject.

A DNP has clearly earned his title of doctor because, well, he has a DNP.

But, to walk into a patient's room and say something like "hello, I'm DR. So and so" seems deliberately misleading. We all know most patients would assume you're a physician. I suppose if said person immediately qualified the statement by explaining the difference between a doctor of nursing and a doctor of medicine it wouldn't be so confusing. Even then, though, I think most patients would have a very shaky grasp on the difference and would think of a DNP as some sort of physician/nurse hybrid.

And, apart from everything else, I'd imagine having to explain the difference over and over would become tiresome. I'd think just presenting oneself as "just" a NP would save a lot of time. Of course, they've earned the doctor title and have every right to use it. But you can't blame the general public for being confused.

[priorities2]

Physicians do own the physician title. They do not own the "doctor" title.

[nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP]

Brandon,

We have discussed this ad nauseum. When an NP introduces themselves as Dr., we DO also tell the patient that we are a NP.

As in:

Hi, I'm Dr. xxxx, a nurse practitioner or Hi, I'm Dr. xxxx, a nurse anesthetist. ALWAYS.

Many times it will open up a discussion on the differences. Perfect time for patient education. I also have a big sign on my wall describing what a NP is.

We are not trying to pretend we are physicians, why would we? I've been to school for 12 years. I have every right to call myself Dr.

[S.G.]

I'm not an NP, nor do I have my doctorate. I'm an RN with a BSN so I'm just giving my opinion here. Any nurse with a doctorate (PhD, DNP, etc.) has earned the title of "Doctor". I've worked with many PAs who do not correct their patients when they are called "Doctor". I worked with a sonographer who did not have a doctorate and never corrected patients when he was called doctor and never explained what his job was. I was told it wasn't my business (by the sonographer) and that I had no right to correct the patients. This is much more offensive to me than anyone who has earned the title of "doctor" introducing themselves as such.

I plan to get my DNP and I will be introducing myself as nomadcrna said. "Hi, I'm Dr. xxx, a nurse anesthetist". It does nothing for our profession to make claims that nurses with a doctorate are purposefully misleading their patients by introducing themselves as doctor. They are not masquerading as physicians. More than one of my nursing instructors was a doctor and were introduced and addressed as such. I don't see a difference in a patient care setting as long as the patients are aware of who is taking care of them and their job.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I think there is a lot of confusion on this board about titles. MDs do NOT own the physician title.

*** Uh, yes they do.

Pharmacists, DPTs, and anybody else with a doctoral degree can also use the "physician" title.

*** No they can't.

In 20 years DNPs will be able to introduce themselves as a "nurse-physician" and it will be totally normal and acceptable.

*** I doubt it. I think its pretty optimistic the even assume the DNP will even be around in 20 years.

[kguill975, MSN, APRN, NP]

I get it all the time by patients. They're sick, they're hungry, and they're tired of the nurse's face being the only one that they see. I'm not a DNP, but even if I were, I would still introduce myself as kguill, NP for general surgery. By the time I get done with all that explaining, I could have gotten majority of the story and could be ready to post their case. With so many patients to see and cases to do, that's a battle I don't even want to spend 2 min. on. I get enough of explaining to the staff how is it an NP can work in surgery, as if PAs own the territory. By all means, if you spent the time and money to become a DNP, you deserve to be called whatever you want, short of messiah.

[nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP]

I must disagree. I think the extra 2 minutes is well worth the patient education and promoting our NP profession.

I get it all the time by patients. They're sick, they're hungry, and they're tired of the nurse's face being the only one that they see. I'm not a DNP, but even if I were, I would still introduce myself as kguill, NP for general surgery. By the time I get done with all that explaining, I could have gotten majority of the story and could be ready to post their case. With so many patients to see and cases to do, that's a battle I don't even want to spend 2 min. on. I get enough of explaining to the staff how is it an NP can work in surgery, as if PAs own the territory. By all means, if you spent the time and money to become a DNP, you deserve to be called whatever you want, short of messiah.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

The great thing about having earned a Doctorate is that you can decide if you want to use the title or not....

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

In many states, physician is a title for a MD, DO, and DC only. In Florida, all 3 degrees allow physicians to diagnose and treat.

[kguill975, MSN, APRN, NP]

I must disagree. I think the extra 2 minutes is well worth the patient education and promoting our NP profession.

I would probably feel the same if I didn't round out of 6 hospitals, but that's my problem.