[NPInfo] DNP and AMAs barrier to practice

Wed Jun 11 14:10:04 PDT 2008

I have also been hovering around this discussion and feel compelled to add my 2 cents. 

1. I have often felt that the AMA is seriously worried about NPs and PAs taking over primary patient care-have actually spoken with some MD specialist who feel that we are primary care of the future and that MDs will become specialists for referral. I agree with this wholeheartedly with and whether we have DNP or ARNP next to our names it shouldn't matter.
2. I can't even count how many times I have had patients tell me that the care I give is so much better than an MD. We are teachers, patient advocates etc, etc and our patients catch on to that so quickly. We are after all human beings such as they are and would like to be treated with respect while giving the best care imaginable. 
3. I am fortunate to have my own practice in a state that allows NPs full scope of practice. My wish is for all states to follow suit. 
4. I am old enough, have had lots of educations and have worked long enough not want to go back to school for the DNP but I do think it is an appropriate degree for all NPs.

Keep up the good conversations-I read them all.

AudreyAudrey Van Voorhis MN ARNP Bainbridge Women's Health Care Bainbridge Island, WA 98110Phone: 206-842-2278                 Fax: 206-842-5206

> From: mlchartnett at msn.com> To: npinfo at nurse.net> Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:43:58 -0400> Subject: [NPInfo] DNP and AMAs barrier to practice> > 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> > _______________________________________________> NPInfo mailing list> NPInfo at nurse.net> http://lists.nurse.net/mailman/listinfo/npinfo> *****************************