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- Feb 13, 2003
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Seems like many threads get into debates about the differences between MD's and nurses, PA's, etc, and every aspect of their respective roles.
My observation is that everyone seems to want to be the doctor--
1. Nurses with PhDs and some PA's want to call themseves "Doctor whatever"
2. Everyone wants to wear the white coat
3. There is a turf war going on about who can prescribe what in which state
If everyone wants to be a doctor and keeps struggling so desparately to take over doctors' roles, who is going to be the nurse?? If I were in the hospital, I'd rather have a great nurse and a competent doctor than the other way around, assuming I didn't have something unusual or hard to manage. Good nurses are there for their patients no matter what kind of smelly, embarassing, or offensive thing is going on-- someone needs to be nearby, in case they suddenly need CPR, need to vomit, need an IV, or just need to talk. The new trend seems to be to jettison all of that in search of more power, prestige, and self-importance -- they think that mimicing doctors' roles will bring all that. If I'm ever sick and need some help, God forbid I get some nurse who wants to listen to my heart all the time and make suggestions about BP meds.
We need to encourage people who want to prescribe medication and act as independant practitioners to go to medical school, and be clear about what practicing medicine and practicing nursing means-- they should not be synonymous... real nurses are too important.
My observation is that everyone seems to want to be the doctor--
1. Nurses with PhDs and some PA's want to call themseves "Doctor whatever"
2. Everyone wants to wear the white coat
3. There is a turf war going on about who can prescribe what in which state
If everyone wants to be a doctor and keeps struggling so desparately to take over doctors' roles, who is going to be the nurse?? If I were in the hospital, I'd rather have a great nurse and a competent doctor than the other way around, assuming I didn't have something unusual or hard to manage. Good nurses are there for their patients no matter what kind of smelly, embarassing, or offensive thing is going on-- someone needs to be nearby, in case they suddenly need CPR, need to vomit, need an IV, or just need to talk. The new trend seems to be to jettison all of that in search of more power, prestige, and self-importance -- they think that mimicing doctors' roles will bring all that. If I'm ever sick and need some help, God forbid I get some nurse who wants to listen to my heart all the time and make suggestions about BP meds.
We need to encourage people who want to prescribe medication and act as independant practitioners to go to medical school, and be clear about what practicing medicine and practicing nursing means-- they should not be synonymous... real nurses are too important.