Re: NDs getting other degrees or jobs

Caylie asked: Is this only for the license a conventional degree gives you? Or, would NDs really benefit from having the additional training?

Both actually. Naturopathic clinical training is not up to par with conventional healthcare. Naturopath students do the bulk of their training in the school run clinics, often without many patient contacts and a very limited variety of pathologies. Also, faculty and clinical supervisors are often recent graduates with little experience. This, I think, was especially an issue at Bastyr, the school I attended .

Also, if you don't plan to practice in a state where naturopathy is licensed, a degree from a naturopath school does not really allow a scope of practice beyond dispensing general health care advice, and perhaps selling supplements. A degree in medicine or advanced practice nursing (or, to some degree, chiropractic, or acupuncture) will allow a practitioner to diagnose and treat patients.

Finally, be careful with the word "physician". Most states limit this term to medical doctors, osteopaths, and podiatrists. A handful of states allow naturopaths to use the term. And, a couple states also allow acupuncturists to use it. If you call yourself a physician in a state that does not recognize you as one, you can be prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license.

Best luck

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