People really believe this????

[meanmaryjean]

I was speaking at a home schooling conference this weekend, and struck up a conversation with a young lady who told me "I'm going to become a nurse practitioner AND a surgeon". I told her the terms are not interchangeable- and she informed me "Oh no, nurse practitioners are going to be doctors starting in 2015!!" I made a valiant attempt to explain the difference between a doctorate and a physician - but she apparently knows better then I :)

[RJmanuone]

[ixchel]

Not too long ago, I got to overhear a conversation during lunch from a man at a neighboring table. He couldn't decide between becoming an NP or PA. Part of the problem was that NPs are "just charge nurses at the hospital", so he couldn't tell how all that schooling was really necessary.

[Fiona59]

I'd rather have my dog's doctor do surgery on me that two surgeons I can think of. He has a better survival rate and bedside manner.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

Veterinarians and dentists are properly called "Doctor".

I understand. But...well, you'd have to hear it in context with her. For example, "how do you make more money than I do! I am a DOCTOR!" And she insists on everyone knowing she's a doctor but is NOT quick to point out that she is Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, not an MD or DO.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I have a family member who completed physical therapy school about a a year ago. She and her classmates when they first graduated constantly called themselves doctors and would post about it on facebook. After working for a year I think the ego has deflated some. The hospital she works at has made it very clear who is to be called doctor and it's not PTs...

But see, I think this is egoism gone too far on the part of MDs. They don't own the title. While I'm not condoning bragging about your degree (although I'm sure having a Doctorate of Whatever is a head rush), MDs need to get over themselves. Pharmacists, nurses, and PTs all carry doctorates now. (Not to mention vets, dentists, and anyone with a PhD.) They don't own the title. They never did. I get the whole confusion it causes patients, but strictly speaking, MDs do not own the title 'doctor' any more than a PhD does.

If they are that insecure, then that sounds like a 'they' problem and not a 'we' problem. Seriously.

I'm waiting for a PA degree to go doctorate AND mainstream. They'll love that.

And I'm also waiting for some jackass to tell me, once I complete a DNP, that I'm not a DOCTOR. Uh, yes, frat boy, I am, I'm just not a PHYSICIAN. Own the correct title, please.

And no, I won't go around CALLING myself doctor, for God's sake, but you know some insecure physician is bound to bring that up eventually.

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

About as sad as what I was asked recently at my in laws. My MIL asked me what RN's make around here, because some girl who is getting ready to start nursing school keeps telling her she will make $130,000 when she gets out of school (as an ADN). I really hope this chick is not THAT delusional.

Maybe she was thinking of a CRNA? Man I wish I made that much! It would make me like nursing more lol.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Veterinarians and dentists are properly called "Doctor".

As is the PhD in art history.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I agree with Carolinapooh. If you earned the title, why shouldn't you be free to use it, regardless what discipline it's in.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Thanks. :)

Why does an NP with a DNP calling herself (and rightfully so) or referring to herself as 'Doctor' immediately spawn comments that make it sound as though she's (a) bragging; (b) making herself out to be something she's not (not the case); or © on the receiving end of, well, someone who's jealous or just downright petty? Because I do hear that in a few of the comments. It also sounds as though the DNP should hang his or her head down and lay low in the presence of everyone else. Bull.

A braggart's a braggart, and a jerk's a jerk - and plenty of them have MD on their lab coat. MD doesn't make the person a god - just someone with a specific type of training. It makes them a physician with doctorate level education.

Just as a DNP denotes the same. Or a PharmD. Or a DPT. Or any other person who's earned the degree.

They're doctors, just not physicians - and legally, that's the only title MDs/DOs own.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

beam me up Scotty. There are no intelligent life forms on this planet

[slc1984]

If we are going to get nit picky on who with a doctorate gets to call themselves a doctor and who with a doctorate does not, a veterinarian would certainly be included in the "does" list. If anyone deserves it more than others, vets do.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

had nothing to do with nomenclature. Her complaint was that the DNP candidate did not know the scope of practice for the degree she is seeking.