platon20

I have a few comments: 1. CRNAs, even in 100% independent CRNA groups in independent practice states, don't make the same as MD anesthesiologists. MDAs AVERAGE 350-400k. CRNAs can only make that if they work double the hours of the MDA. 2. I need to see some evidence that NPs in IP states earn more than NPs in non-IP states. I've worked in both groups -- NP pay rates have more to do with rural vs urban than whether or not they are in an IP state. In other words, an NP in a saturated urban area in an IP state makes less than an NP in a rural area in a non-IP state. 3. There are some rumors that the national nursing organizations are going to sue to get NPs paid the same as doctors based on E&M billing codes. If that happens, it will hurt NPs in urban areas, because hospitals will just take the MDs instead if you have to pay the same. The rural areas will always take NPs no matter what because no MDs want to live there.

Go to prison? Yeah right LOL I know an NP in New Mexico where they have 100% independent practice and her title is listed as PHYSICIAN, and she lets people know that she is a PHYSICIAN. She runs her own clinic.

I'm the original poster, and NO I'm not talking about the doctor title, I'm talking about the PHYSICIAN title. It is already obvious that DNPs own the "doctor" title. What you guys didnt know is that LOTS of people use the "physician" title, not just medical physicians. And that means that DNPs can use it as well. In fact, California has already changed their policy so that doctoral-educated nurses are classified as "physicians" in terms of nomenclature. In New York, Dr Mundinger at Columbia is organizing an effort to require New York State to add DNps to the designated list of "physicians" including MDs, DOs, physical therapists, optometrists, chiropractors, and audiologists. ANYBODY who has a doctorate degree and works in healthcare, including DNPs, will be able to use the PHYSICIAN title.

Cut-downs are easy. I worked with an RN at Cooks in Ft Worth who was better than any doctor. They would consult her to do it when they had a difficult access issue.

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.

One of the comments on the thread caught my attention: "90% of CRNAs work under doctors. If you eliminate that billing, then that means 90% of CRNAs are now unemployed." If this is true then it is a problem. If anesthesiologists cant make money off of CRNAs, then many CRNAs in the big cities where the gas docs are clustered are going to lose their jobs.