When the Nurse Wants to Be Called ‘Doctor’

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When the Nurse Wants to Be Called 'Doctor'[/size]

NASHVILLE — With pain in her right ear, Sue Cassidy went to a clinic. The doctor, wearing a white lab coat with a stethoscope in one pocket, introduced herself.

"Hi. I'm Dr. Patti McCarver, and I'm your nurse," she said. And with that, Dr. McCarver stuck a scope in Ms. Cassidy's ear, noticed a buildup of fluid and prescribed an allergy medicine.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/02/health/policy/02docs.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

How do people feel about this?

[SandraJane]

Simple, Patti is probably A Nurse Practioner with a DNS, Doctorate in Nursing Science. It appears that some states want N's to have more than a MSN.

[Randi]

When I go to the doctors office, I see a Nurse Practitioner. The doctor who is over the office is a 'prick' and I refuse to allow him to touch me again if at all possible. My nurse doesn't have much experience with trans issues but she is very good for general medicine and I trust her.

Brandi

[Annah]

Simple, Patti is probably A Nurse Practioner with a DNS, Doctorate in Nursing Science. It appears that some states want N's to have more than a MSN.

you took the words right out of my mouth

[Constance]

I usually see the NP at my primary care office; it's usually easier to get an appointment with her than with the MD's in the office.

Yet, it seems that an NP is a person who holds a doctorate degree. So does the pastor at my church. And some of the professors at my kids' colleges. Why shouldn't these persons be addressed with the title "doctor?"

I provide tech support to a PDR-type program that is designed for smartphones and I speak with medical "professionals" on a daily basis. MD's seem to have a high sense of entitlement, though this is a generalization. I see no problem with addressing a person who holds a doctoral degree as "doctor." It seems respectful, to me.

[Annah]

I agree. Anyone who has a doctorate Degree (whether it's Ph.D., D.Min., M.D., Th.D., Ed.D., etc etc) should be labeled as a doctor.

M.D. should not be the only ones. Hell, I have more years of college and graduate work than an M.D. lol.

So, I don't know how to repair a heart. Pfff.  I am an expert should a Zombie Religious Apocalypse occurs and all those Medical Doctors will be begging me to save their lives....

ok....im sorta not feeling good lol

[Emily Ray]

When I went to university we called all profesors with a Ph.D Doctors. I didn't have a problem with it then why would I have a problem calling my Nurse that if she earned it. MD's get the title after graduating a program of post bachelors level education. I think that nurses that get the same level of terminal degree in their field should be respected for their efforts and achievment.

Huggs

Emily

[niamh]

The confusion comes from the use of the word 'doctor' in English. In French a medical doctor is referred to as 'médecin' or 'docteur en médecine' which leaves the word 'docteur' free to be used by anyone with a doctoral degree, be it in nursing, the humanities, the natural sciences etc. Some other languages that I speak also make this distinction. There is some use of the term 'physician' as a term for a doctor of medicine but I don't know exactly how widespread this term is. I haven't heard it in Europe. I first learned this term by watching U.S. TV.

Unfortunately in English the use of the word 'doctor' has been monopolised by M.D.s in the mind of English-speakers so much so that when D.N.P.s and Ph.D.s call themselves 'doctors' people automatically think of M.D.

My family doctor is thus Dr. Joe Soap, M.D. whereas I will (hopefully one day) be Dr. Joanne Soap, Ph.D.

I intend to use my title everywhere as I will have earned it. The only exceptions would be say on airlines and in hospitals as I wouldn't won't to be confused as an M.D. That might lead to a dangerous situation.

When I went to university we called all profesors with a Ph.D Doctors.

Where I come from we call university professors 'Professor' and put a 'Prof.' before their name. To referred to them with 'Dr.' would be considered rude. However, I believe there is a great difference between countries as to how easy it is to become a professor and that might explain the difference.