okay - figured we could use a new thread on what people call us in our everyday work environment.
for me, i work in a large nephrology practice. i practice in the apn role and in my state, (il), you must sign your name and then apn and if want to add some other initials, you can.
the term mid-level and physican extender are used in my practice. mid-level moreso. in our practice we, have pas, nps and a cns. so, the term apn to refer to all of us would not be correct.
personally i don't mind mid-level but think physician extender sounds kinda crass.
Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.
I think that by introducing yourself as Dr. ______, NP it further promotes our profession. I find it gives me many opportunities to educate patients about the NP and educational requirements.
Has anyone worked with CNP that lets their patients and family refer to them as Doctor? Is this legal?
I introduce myself as Dr. Tammy, the nurse practitioner. There are states, however, where this would be illegal as state medical associations are very powerful and continue to hold a monopoly over who can and who cannot use their earned credentials in the workplace.
As far as the term mid level provider, the AMA and state medical associations need to control nursing, maintain ownership status over nursing in the pursuit of protecting their financial and political interests. As nurses, we perpetuate the situation by allowing ourselves to be referred to as a mid level provider. I have turned down several jobs where NP's are referred as MLP's. I always wonder what would happen if NP's stood up from around the country and did the same thing.
Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.
I could not agree with Dr. Tammy more. She hit the nail on the head. I always correct anyone who uses the term mid level provider. We provide the same level of care as physicians and are judged at the same level.
Some states do have laws into effect barring the doctorally-prepared APN from using Doctor in the title (in the clinical area).
That's insanity if I've ever heard it. "Doctor" is a title given to all people who have doctorate degrees, full stop.
The state is basically telling NPs: "Clinical psychologists, optometrists, chiropractors, doctoral-level physicists, chemists, and biologists can be called what they earned, but you can't because it makes physicians uncomfortable."
Especially in primary care, patients are aware they're seeing an NP. This taboo will only emphasize to the public and MD/NP professions: "NPs aren't different, they're inferior!"
At my new office, they take a very formal approach. They call the NPs "Nurse Practitioner Smith," etc. They call me "Nurse Practitioner Thinker." Everyone does. The physicians, administrators, support staff. No one uses first names and we are strongly discouraged from using our first names with patients b/c they think it is unprofessional. We are supposed to ask pts to call us "Nurse Practitioner Thinker," or "Ms. thinker." I would really prefer to be called Linear, but I guess I'll get used to it.
And they told me Monday that when I complete the DNP, they will call me "Doctor Thinker," and would prefer that I use that title with patients. I feel like I have entered the twilight zone!
I like the term nurse practitioner. Patients do call me doctor but I always correct them. I'm not a doctor, didn 't want to be a doctor....I'm a nurse through and through.
Even if I got a DNP, I would never refer to myself as Doctor to a patient. Scope of practice babble, autonomy babble, all this nursing babble talk does not make us physicians. I have met some a-hole doctors but still have respect for most people who got in and finished med school.
Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.
Sad, we are truly our own worst enemies.
Even if I got a DNP, I would never refer to myself as Doctor to a patient. Scope of practice babble, autonomy babble, all this nursing babble talk does not make us physicians. I have met some a-hole doctors but still have respect for most people who got in and finished med school.
I agree Nomad. I have all the respect in the world for the MDs I work with. I also have self-respect. They aren't mutually exclusive, lol. When I earn the title, I'll use it. What's more, I will be absolutely certain to use it when referring to other DNP prepared NPs to patients and other providers. I have come 180* on this subject. I used to think I wouldn't, but all the naysayers changed my mind. I will not be told what not to do as if I were a child. If the debate (not htis thread, just the debate in general) hadn't been so vitriolic, I'd likely have remained indifferent.
There was a comment on the NYT article about the title that said "If I want a diagnosis and treatment, I'll call a Doctor. If I want a hand job, I'll call a nurse." I donated a large sum of money to a PAC working on this issue in honor of that imbecile. I wish I could tell him. But hey, let them keep it up. They are inspiring me to do something about it!
nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP
730 Posts
I think that by introducing yourself as Dr. ______, NP it further promotes our profession. I find it gives me many opportunities to educate patients about the NP and educational requirements.