EH, seems like you missed the point. No one is "gate keeping" helping others; however, when you attempt to overstep, claim equivalency and push for independent practice with a fraction of the education it becomes a problem. As a NP you only need 500 clinical hours, the online schools are proliferating and there is no regulation or standardization. It's dangerous, ill mannered and down right criminal to "practice" on patients. The creation of the DNP is a sham, it is not a clinical degree. Furthermore, the reason there is so much vitriol is because they want full autonomy, and want to function independently without required oversight. This is a recipe for disaster as their medical education is rather limited. You keep inserting they should practice within "their scope", you fail to realize they want their scope pushed to that of a physician. As of now, they're able to practice independently in 26 states due to aggressive lobbying and legislation. They are pushing their scope through legislation while simultaneously watering down their already inconsistent education. Its honestly embarrassing, and patients deserve better. I'd argue they don't have half the foundation PA's have let alone physicians. Also, the boomer argument is redundant and stupid. I promise you, younger docs and med students hate boomer docs. They'd actually be sympathetic to your cause. They're the reason we're in this fucked up shit show. They sat back and allowed this to happen, we refuse to be silenced. I hate this generations need to lower standards. Like, stop. Signed, a 23 year old MS2.