I was at a Walgreens pharmacy waiting with my mom for her scripts to be filled. An elderly woman, wearing a pink ball cap and sparce, thinned gray hair approached the counter. I could hear her conversation without even trying to listen. She asked the pharmacist what she should cleanse a small cut with. The pharmacist told her to use saline and pointed to were it was so she could buy some.
As she passed me, I did not know the pharmacist was making his way behind her, I politely said, "ma'am, I wasn't trying to ease drop, but you can just use soap and water and save some money, I'm a Nurse."
The pharmacist came right up behind me, moved in front of my face and said, "I don't think she asked you, she asked me" as he swayed that neck left to right.
Well, I was pissed at how rude he was, I went and talked to the manager, then went back to the counter to pick up scripts.
He came to the register and stood behind the cashier and said, "Just so you know, I have a PhD, and I know more you do" My jaw dropped and told him his PhD sure didn't teach him how to treat others. He kept arguing with me and mom. Finally, I had to walk away after he told me, "My name is Dr. Peebles " after telling him I was going to contact coporate and file a complaint.
Uggg, I know I was sticking my nose out but he didn't have to act so hateful
Exactly. I always called my DNP-holding nursing professors, and my PhD-holding English, history, music etc. professors "Dr." It never would have occurred to me to call them by their first name. My son's piano teacher holds a DMA in piano performance; he knows to address her as Dr. My kids' school principals hold EdDs. They are also addressed as "Dr." Why not a PharmD?
I figure if someone has taken the time to get an advanced education (far more years than I), he actually DOES know more than I do.
This is one of the few web sites I visit where there is such disdain shown for advanced education. If it's more than the member posting has, it's just "fluff" or "frou frou." But don't dare show disrespect for what I LEARNED, I worked HARD for my license.
For the record, I have the utmost respect for those who have worked hard and earned advanced degrees. My problem was the manner in which he approached me and what I felt as disrespect in a consumer and professional transaction
Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
It never occurred to me to NOT address a PharmD as "doctor." Just as I would refer to a friend of mine who is a bio prof with a PhD as "Dr. S." I don't understand the hostility.
My brother-in-law is heading to pharmacy school, but I will probably still call him by his first name when he is done.
Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
For the record, I have the utmost respect for those who have worked hard and earned advanced degrees. My problem was the manner in which he approached me and what I felt as disrespect in a consumer and professional transaction
I think most appreciate what you're saying here. The subject got hijacked to another issue about addressing a pharmacist as "Dr.". I think he got his dander up and did not use any tact! Sometimes It'snot what you say but how you say it. We've all been there.
For the record, I have the utmost respect for those who have worked hard and earned advanced degrees. My problem was the manner in which he approached me and what I felt as disrespect in a consumer and professional transaction
i get where you are coming from and i probably would have suggested the same thing to the lady. And yes the pharmacist could have been nicer. I just usually don't like confrontation so I would have not engaged further with the pharmacist. But don't let it bother you. Some people just have poor social skills
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Not necessarily. I have a doctorate in law, but the ABA does not allow us to use the "Dr." designation.
Not exactly what we're talking about here.
Lest we continue to be pedantic, allow me to say what I assumed was unspoken but understood: If he has a doctorate IN PHARMACOLOGY then he is a doctor.
If I have to address someone as Dr #### then they have to address me as Ms Dee. It's only appropriate to use the title Doctor when you would usually use everyone's title. Eg This is Dr Green and Mrs Purple or this is Ted and Grace. Never use this is Dr Green and Grace.
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
I think that to contradict another professional in their workplace (not yours) is not appropriate unless something dangerous is happening. This didn't qualify as that kind of situation. I think you were in the wrong and I understand why the pharmacist reacted the way he did.
My D is a fourth year PhD student. She has worked so hard on this degree, and still has about 2 more years until her dissertation is finished. Then she may have to do a year as a Fellow. I don't think people realize how much is involved in getting a doctorate, especially one with a strong research component. My D has to take classes, do tons of research in her lab, work as a TA, and do therapy with clients. She has been stretched to her limit (and beyond-I worry how thin she's gotten).
Of course in social situations, I'd never expect her to use her Dr. title-but in the professional realm, you betcha. She will have MORE than earned the title.
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Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN
5,047 Posts
Exactly. I always called my DNP-holding nursing professors, and my PhD-holding English, history, music etc. professors "Dr." It never would have occurred to me to call them by their first name. My son's piano teacher holds a DMA in piano performance; he knows to address her as Dr. My kids' school principals hold EdDs. They are also addressed as "Dr." Why not a PharmD?