Nurses are NOT doctors

So one of my friends posted this article on facebook.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/20100808_Nurses_who_are_doctors.html#ixzz0w85yHIRJ

Read it at your leisure, and let me know what you think.

Here's what I think:

Nurses are NOT doctors. Podiatrists are NOT doctors. Optometrists are NOT doctors. A lot of people with a "doctorate" are NOT doctors.

Doctors should only be called doctor if they have an M.D. a MEDICAL degree.

I wrote this post years ago during my third year of medical school ranting about hating nurses. I have since changed my mind as I have had the opportunity to work with GREAT nurses.

And while I appreciate nurse practitioners taking on more responsibility for decision-making, the fact is that the physician (the M.D. doctor) has the final say... and is ultimately the one who will get sued.

Calling anyone else a doctor confuses the crap out of patients, and speaking from first-hand experience, many patients are not the brightest.

I don't like wearing a white coat. I don't need anyone to call me doctor. In fact, it still shocks me when people do. I am a team-player like every physician in every hospital should be.

I don't want to confuse my patient. It's bad enough that they have 20+ medications to take on a daily basis. They should not have 20+ people to call doctor.

Doctor = a high school diploma + a bachelors degree + a medical degree from an accredited 4 year medical school

And even though at that point one earns the title of doctor, one is not officially done until he/she has completed the following: 3 or more years of an accredited residency program + 1-2 years of fellowship if specializing + PASSING the USA board exam(s).

I'm a doctor. I don't feel the need take ownership of that title for myself, but I do feel the obligation to take ownership of that title for excellent patient care.

It's not about hierarchy. It's about doing the job you're doing AS PART OF A TEAM to give the best patient care. Whether you're a doctor, nurse, technician, patient transporter or flower delivery person in the hospital... your focus is (or should be) SOMEONE ELSE.