The news story Call the Nurse 'Doctor' is an interesting one. I worked with a Nurse Practitioner who always introduced herself as Doctor So and So. I assumed she had a DNS or PhD in nursing. Turns out he doctorate was in education. Now, talk about misleading. I feel linked this was nothing short of unethical. I see nothing wrong with a nurse with the credentials being addressed as Doctor So and So as long as the patients know that Doctor So and So is not an MD or DO. What this nurse with the degree in education was doing is just wrong.

We had an earlier discussion going about what Nurse Practitioners should be called. Most have no idea what we do. As a matter of fact most people really have no idea what a nurse does. How many times do you still her cracks about changing bed pans?

As Dallman says in the news story Many patients are puzzled by what nurse practitioners do, she said, and adding the term “doctor” could further the confusion. Many patients are puzzled by what nurse practitioners do, she said, and adding the term "doctor" could further the confusion.

Also noted in the article: "I know I'm going to lose on this," Wiley said. "To make it more palatable to the people who spend that much time in school, (the health-care professional associations) want to let them be called 'doctor' when they get out."
Well yes, if some one works heard and earns that degree they should be called doctor. Not to sound like a snob, but I darn sure want to be called Nurse Practitioner now, not nurse. Anyone, who was once a CNA, will want to be called RN once they get their degree. Makes sense to me.

Well as a male nurse who is getting a little older and a lot balder and greyer, I get called doctor all the time! Especially when I did Cardiac Rehab and wore my lab coat (it was a short one too!). Patients are having a hard time keeping up with all of the changes in medicine. It used to be there was a male doctor, female nurse, female cna, male orderly and that was it. Now we have PAs, NPs, RN Phd, MA and etc. We just have to keep reminding patients and staff which is which. I agree with calling people their correct title. I also have a hard time with nurses calling doctors by their first name at work - unless that nurse has worked with them for 20 some years. Maybe that is just the old army part of me.

Well, I wonder why this would be a problem in the first place. Why would someone misrepresent themselves as a doctor of medicine when they are in fact a doctor of education? Was this person reported? I certainly hope so, as I would hope anyone doing the same in future will be. I recently posted a humorous article about Nursing in 2040. It specifically addresses that all nurses will be addressed as nurses as just the title "nurse" holds the upmost prestige. I understand the need for recognition, however, my wish for all is they can find happiness in everything they do and without any external powers.

A story one of my instructors shared with us:

My instructor has a bachelors in science of nursing and a doctorate in education. She is a L & D nurse. She walked into the room of a pt that was in labor to introduce herself. She started with
"Hi Susan, my name is Mary and I am going to be your nurse today"
Pt. "Its DR. Smith!"
Mary "Ok, let me try that again" Exits room.
Re-enters, Mary "Hi Dr. Smith, my name is Dr. White and I will be helping you with your delivery today"
Pt. " Well which one are you, the doctor or the nurse?"
Mary " I am your nurse but I have my doctorate in education.....

She did clear up what her role was but it was kind of funny to put that hoighty toighty doctor in her place. Yes doctors work hard but I don't think that them a right to correct someone with an attitude about how they should be addressed.