[NPInfo] DNP and AMAs barrier to practice

[Mike Hartnett]

I have been a member of this list serve for many years but rarely respond.
I like to describe myself as a "reader" or "learner".  I feel that NPs and
PAs complement each other and work very well together.  I support Dave, Peg,
Dena and everyone else on the list serve who have worked on bringing our
professions together.  I do feel we (NPs) need the DNP and hopefully one day
I will be able to sign DNP after my name.  If I do attain my goal, I will
use Dr. and describe myself as a NP with a clinical doctorate.  I have been
an acute care NP for 14 years.  My first job as a RN was in the early 70s in
critical care.  I am a female with a traditional male name.  Many of my
patients like to address me as "Dr. Mike", thinking it is cute.  I nicely
correct them but frequently I am told my care is better than any doctor they
have ever seen.  I try to tell them that I do not want to be a doctor, but
rather a nurse practitioner.  Some patients understand, others don't, but at
least we can typically have a lively discussion about my name.  Also, many
nurses that I have worked with in the hospitals over the years have also
called me "Dr. Mike". I will typically respond that is very nice but in some
states I could get into a lot trouble if anyone thought that I was
representing myself as a doctor.  

 

Several points that I remember from grad school that my program director
pointed out:

1.  According to Webster's Dictionary, the 2nd definition of "collaboration"
is "to cooperate with an enemy force occupying one's country."

2.   The typical NP student already had at least 12 years of "education"
(not training) as a nurse before entering a masters program to become a NP.
This was in the early '90s.

3.  She had never met a "physician" who was not first taught by a great
nurse.

I take no sides but just wanted to add some other thoughts to think about.

Mike Hartnett MSN, ACNP-BC