[Sarah]

Hi Elizabeth,

I agree that raising awareness about the DNP degree is necessary, as many people still do not know what it is exactly. Leading by example is an excellent way for DNPs to enhance others’ trust in the profession, whether other members of the interprofessional healthcare team or patients. What stood out the most from the AACN report is that they found some employers do not know what different skills DNP graduates have compared to master’s degree-prepared APRNs and what roles they can take on. If employers are unsure, it is no surprise if patients do not either. DNP graduates have the opportunity to explain their doctoral education preparation and the distinguishing differences between DNP APRNs and APRNs with master’s degrees during job interviews and at work with colleagues and patients on a one-on-one basis. Showing others the scope of a DNP APRN by being a role model may also help increase understanding. It may also be beneficial for the nursing regulatory bodies, advanced practice nurse accreditation organizations, and advanced practice nurse associations to reach out to hospitals and clinics with educational information regarding the degree, such as the AACN DNP Fact Sheet, to educate hospital and clinic administration. Nursing conferences and nursing research conferences would be great platforms for DNPs and various advanced practice nurse associations to speak in informational sessions, hand out informational flyers, or even simply network to help raise awareness within the nursing world about the DNP degree. By receiving this education at conferences, some nurses may also be inspired to obtain the DNP degree.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Sarah.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Sarah.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Sarah.

[Sarah]

Hi Susan,

Something that stands out to me in the amended bill is section 2 part (g), “Patients deserve to have increased clarity and transparency in the education and training of their health care providers.” When advanced practice nurses with a DNP degree use the title “Dr.” with their credentials following their name and state they are a nurse practitioner, they are being fully transparent in their education and training. They are doctorate-prepared nurse practitioners. The same goes for other professions, such as dentists, optometrists, and physical therapists with doctorate degrees, they are being transparent. I live in California and every dentist I have had goes by the title doctor, and yet I have not heard of any dentists being charged the misdemeanor that a nurse practitioner in California was charged last year. This amended bill states that unless you went to medical school or osteopathic medical school, you cannot use the title doctor in healthcare or on social media. The aforementioned nurse practitioner who holds a DNP degree alleges that she always listed her credentials following her choice of title, and included the term nurse practitioner after introducing herself as “Dr.” yet was still charged with fraud and was asked to relinquish her license. As a DNP student, I am honestly a bit discouraged from using the title in the future after reading her court case. I do not believe any healthcare professional who holds a doctorate degree and uses the title doctor, but is not a physician, is trying to mislead any patients into thinking they are a medical doctor. I think any potential misunderstanding could be cleared up as long as the person states what their doctorate degree is in, such as “Hello, my name is Dr. Lastname, I’m a nurse practitioner with a doctorate degree in nursing.” Considering what happened to the previously mentioned nurse practitioner, I am curious what precedent this will set for other professions. Perhaps there will be closer auditing of other healthcare professionals in California who also choose to use the title doctor.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Sarah.

[Sarah]

Hi Susan,

Something that stands out to me in the amended bill is section 2 part (g), “Patients deserve to have increased clarity and transparency in the education and training of their health care providers.” When advanced practice nurses with a DNP degree use the title “Dr.” with their credentials following their name and state they are a nurse practitioner, they are being fully transparent in their education and training. They are doctorate-prepared nurse practitioners. The same goes for other professions, such as dentists, optometrists, and physical therapists with doctorate degrees, they are being transparent. I live in California and every dentist I have had goes by the title doctor, and yet I have not heard of any dentists being charged the misdemeanor that a nurse practitioner in California was charged last year. This amended bill states that unless you went to medical school or osteopathic medical school, you cannot use the title doctor in healthcare or on social media. The aforementioned nurse practitioner who holds a DNP degree alleges that she always listed her credentials following her choice of title, and included the term nurse practitioner after introducing herself as “Dr.” yet was still charged with fraud and was asked to relinquish her license. As a DNP student, I am honestly a bit discouraged from using the title in the future after reading her court case. I do not believe any healthcare professional who holds a doctorate degree and uses the title doctor is trying to appear as a physician to any patients. I think any potential misunderstanding could be cleared up as long as the person states what their doctorate degree is in, such as “Hello, my name is Dr. Lastname, I’m a nurse practitioner with a doctorate degree in nursing.” Considering what happened to the previously mentioned nurse practitioner, I am curious what precedent this will set for other professions. Perhaps there will be closer auditing of other healthcare professionals in California who also choose to use the title doctor.

[Author]

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