![]() NPs are often primary care clinicians serving some of the same functions as physicians, so what’s the difference? The short answer is threefold: duration of studies, salary, and scope of practice. What's the Difference between a Nurse Practitioner and a Doctor? Dentists (Doctorate of Dental Surgery or Doctorate of Dental Medicine).Chiropractors (Doctorate of Chiropractic).Veterinarians (Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine).Physical therapists (Doctorate of Physical Therapy). ![]() Other healthcare professions that require doctoral degrees include the following: Interestingly, while the debate seems to be largely between nursing and physician organizations, increased restrictions on the title “doctor” could impact other healthcare professions. In others, a DNP may introduce themselves to the patient using the term doctor, but with a clarifier. In some states with such restrictions, the consequence is a felony in others, it is a misdemeanor. Other states have legislation in place as well. Florida also recently passed legislation that would prohibit DNPs from using the title doctor-although the bill was vetoed by the Governor. This May, Georgia passed into law a bill that restricts non-physicians from using the title. In response, a few other California NPs with doctorates in nursing practice have filed a lawsuit aimed at preventing further enforcement of the state’s law that allows only physicians or surgeons to use the term. In California last year, an NP with a doctorate was prosecuted for allegedly using the word doctor to describe herself. Perhaps the better question would be, “Can a nurse practitioner be called a doctor?” If the answer to that question is yes, then very important follow-up questions should be, “Where, how, and under what circumstances?” Legislative Restrictions for Use of the Term “Doctor” Ultimately, if you have a DNP or PhD in Nursing, you should be mindful of the laws of the state in which you practice and very careful in how you identify yourself. Several states have legislation in place to regulate who can use the moniker “doctor” in signage, websites, social media, etc. Nevertheless, for NPs, the use of the term doctor is disputed.
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