Say Hello to Dr. Nurse

tanthalas · Apr 17, 2008

To throw some fuel to the fire, here's a blog by an MD: http://medinnovationblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/doctors-and-nurses-and-doctor-nurses.html

angelwingsamy · Apr 17, 2008

hmmm that was an entertaining read. thanks

elkpark · Apr 17, 2008

I don't see how anyone can argue that the development of the DNP programs that are now springing up like mushrooms after a spring rain is going to ameliorate any kind of healthcare "shortage." They are certainly not going to increase the number of RNs practicing at the bedside. They are going to make it longer and harder to become an advanced practice nurse than it is now, so, if they were to become the mandatory entry into advanced practice (as the developers of the programs want), I think it's fair to presume that a number of people who would have gone into advanced practice roles in the past will choose not to do so, because of the greater requirements of time, $$$ and effort.

I don't see how DNP programs are going to help a nursing shortage, and I don't see how making it longer, harder, and more expensive to become a nurse practitioner is going to help a primary care provider shortage.

Penguin67 · Apr 17, 2008

I am a doctorally prepared nurse. I earned the title doctor and am proud of it. I don't toss it around to impress. And I don't ever pretend to be an MD. One thing that people tend to overlook is that all "physicians" are "doctors" but not all "doctors" are "physicians". Think about it. That combination of words was actually on an MAT practice exam many years ago.I thought I had the answer right, and missed it, so it's not hard to understand that the general public might get confused.

There are alot of doctorally prepared people out there in a variety of professions and disciplines. I wouldn't hesitate to address them with their earned title of "doctor". MD's might be a little hesitant to want to believe that other doctors are roaming around in the world, but they are the only group that can call themselves physicians. Look at the titles that the licensing boards in each state protects. If you have a doctorate, you can refer to yourself as a doctor, but not a physician.

I spoke with 50 high school students yesterday who came to our campus to hear about nursing. I introduced myself as "Dr.", and went on to explain that I am a registered nurse who went to graduate school and earned a doctorate, enabling me to teach. If we educate the public, we can help to clear up some misconceptions.

nyapa, RN · Apr 17, 2008

Sounds like an article utilising scare tactics without providing true information. What's new when it comes to the media's attitudes? They're in it for the elusive story, and the money. Don't let facts get in the way of these things now...

celery · Apr 17, 2008

I don't see how making it longer, harder, and more expensive to become a nurse practitioner is going to help a primary care provider shortage.

No, but it will sure help hospitals to save money.

elkpark · Apr 17, 2008

No, but it will sure help hospitals to save money.

(I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean ...)

PsychNurseWannaBe, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2008

The reason I am not too keen on the DNP to practice is the money involved to get it. Do they not think that this will drive cost up to see your NP? A nice advantage of the NP is that it was usually more cost effective for the patient. However, NP's with a DNP are going to want to recoup the cost of their education... I am concerned that the people with little cash are now going to get screwed from healthcare yet again.

TiredMD · Apr 17, 2008

If you have a doctorate, you can refer to yourself as a doctor, but not a physician.

Do you introduce yourself to your patients as "Dr. Penguin67"?

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2008

Do you introduce yourself to your patients as "Dr. Penguin67"?

Penguin67 may certainly do so. I would agree that he/she should follow up that introduction with some statement such as, "I'm Penguin67, the nurse practitioner from X service who will be following your case while you're here in the hospital ... "

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2008

Do you introduce yourself to your patients as "Dr. Penguin67"?

The implications of introducing oneself as their screenname are far too humorous to address your very valid point.

-

I plan to pursue DNP at some point in the future after I finish my RN, but I think you'd have to be obtuse to introduce yourself to a patient as "Dr. ..." and not expect them to be given the wrong impression.

"Hi!, I'm Doctor Methylene! I'm not a medical doctor but the scope of my doctorate allows me to practice medicine!" would go over swimmingly, I'd bet.

Maybe in the future after DNPs are an established health care provider familar to the public, it won't be an issue.

Even still, I think the whole concept of addressing someone solely by their last name makes the experience a bit dehumanizing in the long run. Nurses are supposed to be, according to our 8,000 pages of nursing theory at least, more in touch with the patient's psychological needs. Taking up such a formal mode of address strips away at the relationship.