Sunday, February 17, 2013

The Doctor Nurse


Why do Nurses have to put up a fight for the title that they earned? 

Merriam-Webster defines a Doctor as a person who has earned one of the highest academic degrees conferred by a university.  Not in any way, shape, or form does this definition discriminate the profession of which it is earned in.  Physicians are worried that losing control over the title “doctor,” a word that has defined their profession for centuries, will be followed by the loss of control over the profession itself. Patients could become confused about the roles of various health professionals who all call themselves doctors.

Six to eight years of collegiate education generally earn pharmacists, physical therapists and nurses the right to call themselves “doctors,” compared with nearly twice that many years of training for most physicians. For decades, a bachelor’s degree was all that was required to become a pharmacist. That changed in 2004 when a doctorate replaced the bachelor’s degree as the minimum needed to practice. Physical therapists once needed only bachelor’s degrees, too, but the profession will require doctorates of all students by 2015 — the same year that nursing leaders intend to require doctorates of all those becoming nurse practitioners.
 
 

Banning the Title ?

A bill proposed in the New York State Senate bars nurses from advertising themselves as doctors, no matter their degree. A law proposed stated that it would bar people from misrepresenting their education or license to practice.  Laws in the states of Arizona, Delaware and other states forbid nurses, pharmacists and others to use the title “doctor” unless they immediately identify their profession. 

What do you think?

I would really like to hear your thoughts on this topic.  It is difficult for me to fathom that, even to this day, nurses are still struggling to prove themselves as a profession.  I think doctorate prepared nurses have earned the title, Doctor.  However, I think that it is very important for them to identify themselves as nurses to avoid confusion amongst their patients.  I think a lot of the problem is about power.  I hope that someday nurses will be treated as an equal member of the team, and be valued for their professionalism and knowledge.
 

References
 
Harris, G. (2011). When the nurse wants to be called 'Doctor'. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/02/health/policy/02docs.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
 

Merriam-Webster. (2013). Doctor. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doctor

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