So, what's in a title? The paradox of nursing professors!

Abstract

We have witnessed a recent proliferation in the UK, Australia and Hong Kong especially of honorary professorships in nursing and the widespread use (and misuse) of honorary and visiting titles. Indeed, in the UK at least, it seems the norm to award honorary or visiting professorships of nursing to a variety of registered nurses who hold strategic leadership positions. The recognition of significant achievement in a subject area or profession is a long-standing and legitimate use of an honorary title. However, we are conscious that it seems to have become normal practice in nursing and even an expectation! Previously, Thompson and Watson (2008) argued that awarding such titles helps to advance individual careers through engagement in academic activities, the demonstration of expertise to future nurses and advancing collaborative partnerships between the academy and healthcare organisations.