Let me ask sort of a blunt question

[elmonorojo]

I have found a recurring theme among all of my places of employment as a Registered Nurse for the past five years: I am often treated like a piece of dirt. Although I am hoping my next place of employment will be better. Do you often feel this way as a nurse practitioner? Ever feel like you are made out to be a devalued and mindless piece of IV-starting, bedpan-changing hospital equipment?

I am really starting to get burnt out by all the catty and childish behavior, horizontal violence from "fellow" nursing staff, aggressive and entitled family members, arrogant and abusive physicians, and just general lack of respect for how hard I work and what I contribute to the healthcare team. I figure I will give the NP thing a go-around, but if it continues like this I might just have to throw in the towel and go work for UPS, or drive a truck, or something. I just want to work hard, learn, and have a job with decent folks in a non-toxic environment. Is that really so much to ask for?

[elmonorojo]

Okay. So probably not the best place to vent. Now on to google search for a good therapist...

[elmonorojo]

Car Nurse: Now I think that I will become an NP, and come work at your group, so that we can be best buds!

[TradHunterRN]

Actually nurses do create revenue, not as much as an NP of course. I was told by management that for each IV start is $250 the hospital can charge the insurance company.

Not to mention the fact that RNs constantly prevent or catch fall-outs that would prevent insurance from paying for the entire hospitalization! (i.e. Q2H turns, making sure physicians write orders for the things they are asking us to do; etc. etc.) I have lost count of all the things that they are "Auditing" at my facility.

Also, a response to the OP in general. I agree with the other posters about "kill 'em with kindness, bite your tongue, etc." BUT, you cannot let people treat you like trash.

My unit had tons of bullies and eat-their-young "veterans" when I started two years ago. Our manager had just started and had zero tolerance for catty BS. Those problem starters have either been let go, or found work elsewhere because they knew they were being watched.

If management is not supportive it may be time to talk with that manager and express your concerns and look for work elsewhere. Anyways I am not condoning aggressive behavior on your part, but there comes a point where it is fair to say "I am here to listen to what you have to say when you can show a little respect for me"

[2015]

Things change when you go from being an expense (RN) to someone who generates revenue (NP).

OMG!!!! Finally I get the answer as to why we are treated like crap sometimes.

[guest538567]

When I was a staff nurse I often felt the same way. This varied some by place of employment but overall I felt my role was undervalued for what I brought to the organization. NP is an entirely different entity. However, I expect that this too varies by place of employment. A colleague of mine was hired at a rural health clinic and was significantly underpaid with a horrible management team which micromanaged her care. She has told me stories that closely resemble the disrespect that drove me away from the bedside. I think I would be safe to say that she did not feel valued in that place of employment. She has a much better situation in her current job.

I have a great relationship with my supervising MD and she often tells me that she could not function in her role without me. I know that she values me as an employee and a provider. However my place organization is poorly managed with a CEO and management team that do not understand the nurse practitioner role. I do not feel that they value me as an NP. I started this position as a new graduate and it has taken a significant amount of self advocacy to get things that are common benefits of being an NP (ie. CME reimbursement, adequate pay, reimbursement of license/DEA, etc). I have often heard the CEO say "we don't give these things to the nurses". I will not be staying long-term with this organization for this reason. However, overall I still feel much more valued then I did as a staff nurse.