Have patients here ever refused service from you for being an NP?

Cardiology EP NP · Feb 28, 2010

This is a very interesting point. I have actually seen this happen before in a pediatrics office, but it was a long time ago, almost 10 years ago. Sad to say, many people still don't know what NPs actually do. I had two people this week ask me what I do, one of them asked me if I room patients for the doctor. It's sad that people think that NPs actually room patients. What a waste of money and time that would be.

People however are finally learning that NPs do more than just room patients. When I did clinicals, my preceptors would tell me once the patients have had a visit with the NP, they often times didn't want to go back to the doctor because the NPs spent more time with the patients. And don't get me wrong, there are some wonderful docs out there and I work with a lot them, but many of them simply do not have the time to sit and teach patients and take extra time with them. So as an NP I try to as much as I can even though I work in a very busy department.

I think most people will finally learn what NPs actually do. But I think it may be a few more years before the majority of the population understands the role of the NP. In the meantime, we can bank on doing a lot of education. :)

AcousticFoodie · Feb 28, 2010

Ah thanks for your insight. I was a little concerned because I have heard stories of people being concerned at being seen by a DO instead of an MD, and requesting for a "real" doctor instead. I am not suggesting NPs are docs, but with such bias against DOs, I can only wonder at what some people might think of the letters NP!

akoster · Feb 28, 2010

I have had people ask me if they could see the doctor but most often they are an older generation who are used to seeing "the doctor". I also worked in a small ER and then I would tell them Im the only one there, so its their choice if they want to go see a doctor they would have to go somewhere else that was over an hour away. The patient always has the choice to schedule and appt with a doctor if thats what they are looking for

allnurses Guide · Feb 28, 2010

I haven't had anyone refuse service, but have had several people say "I thought I was going to see a REAL doctor". I explain what I can do for them, and give them the option of rescheduling with an MD if they would like to. So far no one has taken me up on the offer. These patients have been in the minority, and most patients are happy to be seen by NPs.

MissDoodaw · Feb 28, 2010

I work in a specialty area. I have had acouple patients refuse to see me. It is usually a pt coming in for review of diagnostic tests ensuring CA has not reappearred... I will ask the Dr to step in- although he/she has already reviewed scans before pt even comes in.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 28, 2010

My usual (nephrology) pts love to see me because I'm able to take more time with them.

I also work prn in an ER and there its rarely an issue. Its a very small ER where the community is used to just seeing MDs.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 1, 2010

I'm not a NP. I have heard acquaintances say they would never see an NP and regularly have patients who try to refuse a CRNA and demand "A DOCTOR." We let them know whtat means transferring hospitals and finding a new surgeon, and that shuts them up fairly quickly. Mostly I think it stems from ignorance. As more and more people get great care from APNs, they will get over the doctor hang-ups in unnecessary instances (b/c IMO there will always be cases that require the "real doctor." ;-)

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 1, 2010

Oh, I forgot to add that I have had dissatisfied pts in the ED request a doctor when they didn't get what they wanted from the NP (Either drug seekers or people insisting upon unnecessary antibiotics). The docs support the NPs though, and are far more likely to call the cops on drug seekers, so that usually backfires.

carachel2 · Mar 1, 2010

I myself have refused to see an NP on two occasions: one was with an NP whom I had previously seen and had found totally annoying (she tried to tell me my AVNRST was due to not exercising enough...umm, hmmm, my ablation is scheduled for next week!) and then another was with a specialty GI practice and I really wanted to speak to the MD who would be doing my procedure.

I think it depends on the practice environment. If you are in a specialty office I would think it happens more than say in family practice.

Disinherited · Mar 2, 2010

I took my wife to an ER just a few weeks ago and, while we were seen by an NP, we insisted that we be seen by the physician as well.

Why did we do that? Because I asked the NP what her background was. She had been a family practice nurse for a whole year before starting her NP program which she completed 2 years ago.

Hmmm....1 year family practice nurse, a potentially part time or on-line didactic education, and only two years experience.....I think I'll see a doctor please. We didn't 'refuse' service from the NP, but I damn sure wanted someone with a lot more education and experience than that checking out my wife.

I think the PA and NP professions are shooting themselves in the foot by taking rookies in the programs. There are wayyyyy too many direct entry NP programs out there today. When patients get wise to the fact that NP's no longer necessarily have the 'years of experience as a nurse', and that the NP may have gotten much of their education via on-line learning, you may find more patients demanding to see the doctor. The same with the PA profession with many of these programs taking fresh college graduates with a year experience as a CNA - hardly equivalent to 10-20 years experience as a street/military medic.

Katie5 · Mar 2, 2010

So the issue here is the number of years coupled with the experience level.That put me in serious thought mode. But understand this again, most people nowadays, do not want to wait until they are old, grey and wizened before pursuing an education.

But the experience level, does truly count, I agree.