Yet again we have more doctors voicing their “concerns” about the apparently very intimidating “Doctor Nurses” (*enter scary music*). Le sigh. I plan to eventually pursue my DNP. Do I plan to have my patients address me as “Dr. IsntSheLovlei?”—absolutely not. I am however, likely to display my shiny new credentials on my letterhead, my lab coat that I’ll sling over the back of my chair (as if I would ever really wear one of those things), or perhaps even on a paperweight on my desk.
I honestly think some our doctor-friends are hiding behind this whole “you’re going to confuse the patients” excuse as to why they are so against nurses with doctorates. What is the problem really? Afraid of a little friendly competition? Think an increasing number of patients will be drawn (if they are not already) to the more holistic model of care that nurses provide? But it’s not like we’ll be taking food out of your mouths—there’s actually a shortage of primary care physicians. Advanced practice nurses are willing and more than capable of helping to fill that void. As far as confusing the patients—I think that patients are less concerned with the alphabet soup behind your name and more so with the excellent (or not so excellent) care that you provide. JMHO.
Check out our discussion of this topic and more on the latest episode of Insights in Nursing with Cora Vizcarra from the Infusion Nurse Blog, host Jamie Davis also of the Nursing Show and MedicCast, and of course—yours truly.
The Dog Ate My Care Plan... 