by Megan
(Pensacola, Florida, USA)
Let us simply do the math!!
MD (Medical Doctor) DNAP (Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia)
Bach Degree 4 years. Bach Degree 4 years
Medical School 4 years. Masters Degree 2-2 1/2 years
Residency 4 years. Doctorate 2-2 1/2
Total = 12. Total = 8-9
So only a small difference in years of 3-4 years and not to ever take anything away from the MD profession, but 4 of those 12 years are a residency in which they are actually employed as dr’s and are earning a pay check! The nurses entire 8-9 years is ALL school. So in reality the only thing that MDs get that the nurses don’t is a 4 year residency period!
The amount of time spent in the classroom and doing clinicals is the same! About 8 yrs on both sides. And the fact that the degree is called Doctor of…. absolutely warrants the title of Dr. in front of the name…as long as DNAP is what follows the name!
And honestly, people are not idiots! If they don’t understand the difference coming in, they will once it’s simply explained to them!
Lets look at it this way…we don’t begrudge the PhDs the title of doctor in front of their name…and they could have their doctorate in anything! Chiropractors, Dentists, Vets…they all hold doctorate degrees in their field and were graciously given the infamous title! But the ones graduating from a nursing doctorate program aren’t??? Please explain that to me…bc this whole “it’ll confuse the patient” thing is not working anymore!
Simply put….They deserve that title and have worked just as hard as any MD to earn it!!
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