Patti McCarver, a nurse whose doctor of nursing practice degree entitles her to call herself “doctor,” meeting with a patient.
Thousands of nurses are returning to school to earn a doctorate. In
fact, doctorates seem to be appearing all over health professions,
resulting in a battle over the title “doctor” and the money, power and
prestige that often come with it.
Physicians and their allies are pushing legislative efforts to restrict
who gets to use the title of doctor. A bill proposed in the New York
State Senate would bar nurses from advertising themselves as doctors, no
matter their degree. A law proposed in Congress would bar people from
misrepresenting their education or license to practice. And laws already
in effect in Arizona, Delaware and other states forbid nurses,
pharmacists and others to use the title “doctor” unless they immediately
identify their profession.
The deeper battle is over who gets to treat patients first. Pharmacists, physical therapists and nurses largely play secondary roles to physicians, since patients tend to go to them only after a prescription, a referral or instructions from a physician. By requiring doctorates of new entrants, leaders of the pharmacy and physical therapy professions hope their members will be able to treat patients directly and thereby get a larger share of money spent on patient care.
The deeper battle is over who gets to treat patients first. Pharmacists, physical therapists and nurses largely play secondary roles to physicians, since patients tend to go to them only after a prescription, a referral or instructions from a physician. By requiring doctorates of new entrants, leaders of the pharmacy and physical therapy professions hope their members will be able to treat patients directly and thereby get a larger share of money spent on patient care.
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