Would you be just as comfortable with a nurse practitioner as with a doctor?

maikranz · Jun 17, 2000

I worked for a FNP full time for a while and now only prn.

My daughter sees a my GYN-NP, and while she was in college, saw

the NP in student health. It was the NP who caught the

erythema nodosum reaction after a 4 doses of sulfa. I make sure my

boys know the NP in student health at college.

The NPs I know want to be NPs, not MDs and refer when they need to.

These nurses have been in practice for ~20-25 years. What I am

uncomfortable with is brand, spanking new graduates without practice

experience jumping right into NP school. People don't always present

like the textbook says they will. New docs have internship (and maybe

residency) experience before they go out into practice. Granted it's

not the same, but I think a minimum practice time ought to be required.

Yes, I'm more comfortable with a NP.

NurseRachett · Jun 17, 2000

I would be comfortable with a PA rather than a mD...in most situations I must say, though, that I have had the pleasure of working with a some very capable PA's (in some instance, maybe more capable than the MD themselves}. With the way healthcare is going, most patients see the PA at the officew visit, because the MD is off "In Conference" somewhere. What happened to the good ole fashioned "house call"?

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tweetieRN · Jun 17, 2000

depends on their level of experience, and their level of common sense. Just because a person has an 'MD' after their name doesn't make them knowledgebly better.

LaurieCRNP2002, MSN, RN, APRN · Jun 17, 2000

In the doctor's office I go to, I primarily see the NP and have been very happy with her! In one instance last fall I saw one of the doctors and that was only because the NP wasn't available and wouldn't be for several days (I wanted an appointment ASAP). In addition, I myself am in school to be an NP and my own NP hooked me up with a local group of NP's and PA's, to allow me to network. So my answer is an emphatic YES! to your question.

Laurie, RN

Mijourney · Jun 17, 2000

Hi,

Depending on expertise, etc., I would be as comfortable seeing an NP for routine care as a physician. For any practitioner, when he/she discovers my background in nursing (I make an effort not to reveal this), his/her approach to me changes in one way or another. I am considering becoming an advanced practice nurse. We know that there are efforts underway to encourage more general public acceptance of NPs related to a recent study on NP practice. I am eager to see the responses of nurses.

amonetoo · Jun 19, 2000

I am a rural Nurse Practitioner in a very

small clinic. Three or four days a week, if

a person comes into the clinic, I am the only provider available. If I am unable to

help, I can refer to another provider

(usually an MD or specialist, or call an ambulance. I have 7 years experience and

telephone backup, in addition to 25 years as a nurse. I have no problem telling a client

when I am unable to manage their problem, and I do manage 95% of what walks in door.

There are relatively few NPs in my area, so

I see an MD for my own care. I've known

him for more than 20 years. Many people

ask for referrals to NPs and I am happy to

to refer to another NP if that is

appropriate. Many NPs provide quality care.

Genista, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2000

For routine care, I actually prefer NPs. One of the main reasons I prefer the NPs is I feel that they treat me not just as a dx, but as a person.They spend a few minutes to explain things, or just to listen. There are, of course great MDs...but the question was "would you be just as comfortable with a nurse practitioner." I say "Yes." If the NP feels I need a referral, I get one.

CVSDnurse · Jun 22, 2000

YES YES YES!! I definitly prefer the care I have received from NP's than from MDs. I don't know if it is that their schedules are just so different, but my exams from NP's are always more complete than with the doctor. They not only listen but ask for any other questions or concerns before we are done.

I worked with NP's in long-term care and envied their independence and responsibility. I have been batting around the idea of going back to school but I know that I haven't yet seen enough as a nurse to be able to preform their job. I think that experience should definitly be a basis for admittance to an advanced degree program.

[This message has been edited by CVSDnurse (edited June 21, 2000).]

AHarri66, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2000

My answer is a resounding YES! Actually in many cases I am MORE comfortable with an NP over an MD. My GYN since 1975 is an NP, something I was unaware of for a quite a few years (for reasons I won't go into here, it was necessary that I begin GYN care as a child.) She was the most professional, thorough, and caring practioner I have ever encountered, and in many ways, was my inspiration to go into nursing. My children were delivered by CNM, also a very thorough, professional and caring woman (another role-model.) I had occasions to see the OB during my care, and I felt like nothing more than a #; with the CNM I was treated like a friend. I have recently switched GPs, and have had most of my appointments with the NP... I have received high-quality care, and have been entirely comfortable with their knowledge and expertise. In fact, it was the NP that caught an underlying problem that the MD brushed off as unimportant. Why? Maybe because NPs are trained first as nurses with emphasis on total patient care, and still rely on communication coupled with observation to get the complete picture. I think in many cases MDs focus on symptoms only, and lose sight of the fact that they are dealing with people. My children also see the PA at their peds office, something I requested due to my own experiences, and we haven't regretted it yet!

er · Jun 23, 2000

I have been a DON in a LTC facility for many years and work with several doctors and their NPs. I have to say I trust the judgement of my NPs over the docs any day. They spend much more time with the residents and know them individually so much better than the docs. I don't mean to say the docs are bad, just too busy for my elderly residents. One of my NPs in particular specializes in geriatrics. He is very dedicated and caring toward my residents. I much prefer working with him to any of my docs, and will call him first when there is a problem.

er · Jun 23, 2000

P.S. I forgot to say I also go to him myself rather than my physician, and take my daughter to him.