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 :)

[monkeybug]

A member of my husband's family is a pediatrician. I got to sit through a 10 minute diatribe about parents allowing their kids to address her as "Miss First Name" (a very common way to refer to an elder respectfully in the south) instead of "Dr. Firstname" or better yet, "Dr. Last Name." It just solidified my opinion of her. They're kids, you're lucky they aren't calling you Poop Head if you're ordering them to be stuck with needles. I wanted to tell her to just get over herself, but I settled for a blank stare and no comment.

[sharpeimom]

In this neighborhood, there are several people who answer to "Doctor." Some hold PhDs, some are dentists, some are medical doctors, there are two surgeons, a vet (retired,) and each answers to "Doctor" quite correctly.

When they're at home or in someone's living room or backyard, they become Jim, John, Herb, Janet, or Ruth, to name a few.

The point is that each is equally entitled to use their well-earned title without fear of recrimination but it is NOT his or her first name.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I think I'd like to be referred to as Queen of the World now, thank you.

My delusion, my title :)

[SquishyRN, 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.

For laypeople, the term "doctor" is associated with the physician and the two terms are interchangeable in their eyes. It is very misleading for patients and the general public if everyone is running around calling themselves "doctor" because of the assumptions associated with the word, especially in the health care setting.

Edited to add: The statements of the young lady with whom the OP spoke should demonstrate quite clearly how incorrectly laypeople interpret different roles in health care to think she could do what a physician can because she would earn a doctorate in a health care field.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

For laypeople, the term "doctor" is associated with the physician and the two terms are interchangeable in their eyes. It is very misleading for patients and the general public if everyone is running around calling themselves "doctor" because of the assumptions associated with the word, especially in the health care setting.

I agree with this.

A nurse practitioner with a DNP level education has the right to the title "doctor".

But they better be careful how they use that title with patients. They can't just walk in a pts room and introduce themselves as Dr. So-and-so. That would be incredibly misleading. 99% of the general public would assume doctor=physician in tis case. I think it's fair for hospitals to forbid NPs and PTs or anyone who isnt a physician to refer to themselves as doctors in front of patients. It's just too confusing for the patient otherwise.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

For laypeople, the term "doctor" is associated with the physician and the two terms are interchangeable in their eyes. It is very misleading for patients and the general public if everyone is running around calling themselves "doctor" because of the assumptions associated with the word, especially in the health care setting.

Edited to add: The statements of the young lady with whom the OP spoke should demonstrate quite clearly how incorrectly laypeople interpret different roles in health care to think she could do what a physician can because she would earn a doctorate in a health care field.

Do you have any evidence for this? I have to admit I haven't researched the topic, but this seems incorrect to me.

I have a large patient panel in primary care. After a few years experience I can fairly comfortably state that to most of the people I see in practice the term "doctor" is one of respect for the person or persons that directly interface with them on health care decisions.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I think it's fair for hospitals to forbid NPs and PTs or anyone who isnt a physician to refer to themselves as doctors in front of patients. It's just too confusing for the patient otherwise.

I disagree. Someone who holds a doctorate has every right to identify themselves as "Dr. Whoever". I know of some DNPs who say "I am Dr. Whoever, and I am the nurse practitioner."

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

It is so much fun to read these posts and see how far off topic some of the responses have been. Like the old game of gossip.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I agree that they have the right..... but I maintain that the vast majority of the public would only be confused by a NP or physical therapist who introduce themselves as "doctor". I guess if one were to immediately clarify with "Im a doctor but not a physician." And then they'd have to explain the difference. And, even then, most patients still wouldn't get it.

Don't underestimate the ignorance of the general public.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

It is so much fun to read these posts and see how far off topic some of the responses have been. Like the old game of gossip.

Well, it's sort of on topic. It's all about the misconceptions and confusion the general public has re: the various titles and education levels of healthcare professionals.

I'm surprised no one has brought up that old chestnut of medical assistants who call themselves "nurses".

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I'm surprised no one has brought up that old chestnut of medical assistants who call themselves "nurses".

ding, ding,ding....I win! LOL, I was waiting for this to rear....and it took five pages!

[oanarn2015]

not all people are okey,haha!where does she work so I can avoid that facility.Does she think unicorns are real?