Are NPs staff or providers?

twozer0, NP · Dec 12, 2015

If you are seeing patients, writing orders, and managing their care, you are a provider. If she wants to get technical, everyone that works in the practice are staff (of the practice)

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Dec 12, 2015

They are providers if they are billing for services.

allnurses Guide · Dec 12, 2015

I work in a private practice outpatient clinic where the owner is an MD and assured me that in his practice, NPs are providers (mid level) yet his office manager goes around and announces to the MAs and technicians that no it's not true, I am staff as she calls it. She's been doing this for the last two years. sometimes, I make suggestions on how to make the office more efficient and when that happens, I am met with a face palm (figuratively). The vibe that I'm getting is that as an NP, I only see patients anything else doesn't concern me but I beg to differ. It does concern me. When things aren't running smoothly in the clinic, my work and patient care is affected. i am beginning to wonder if there are other clinics or healthcare settings that have more delineated roles for mid level providers because it seems like this current workplace doesn't appreciate or maybe they just don't what to do with a mid level provider. I'm a quite frustrated right now because I put so much effort in my work and I just want to do a good job.

You are a provider there is no way to slant it otherwise, and not a "mid-level". I'd tell the practice manager that if she doesn't change her tune you'll be moving elsewhere. Then she can start to think about what losing the billable hours your provide will cost the practice.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Dec 12, 2015

Definitely a provider. Act like it while still being cool.

AJJKRN · Dec 12, 2015

It's sounds like the main problem has to due with an office manager that has either a larger ego than needed and/or feels threatened by some of the newer addition providers in the office (AKA the NP's).

PG2018 · Dec 13, 2015

If you're an employee of the organization, I can't see how you're not staff. You're a provider, prescriber, midlevel, clinician, diagnostician, et al.

You're likely a staff of a different mold. I work for a large, multi-state outpatient behavioral health service organization. I'm staff, obviously, but paid out of a different (and much larger) pot with a separate chain of command, if you will, and with a lot more privilege than the therapists, admin types, techs, etc. My classification, within the organization, actually says "physician" as that's the name given to the cost center. But I have no problem if someone were to call me "staff" or give me a t-shirt with "staff" on the back of it. Actually, the latter isn't true because I don't wear crap like that, but labels don't bug me. Shouldn't bug you either. :)

But the next time the office manager blabs about you being staff, have her fill your coffee cup, run some random and arbitrary copies, and then tell her "thanks, I better let you get back to the phones now."

aprnKate · Dec 13, 2015

I have met people like that. I have met fellow MSN colleagues who would (who are not nurse practitioners but know what nurse practitioners can do. who have worked with other nurse practitioners and treat them with respect) treat me as if I am still a "staff registered nurse" and think they are above me which is not true. I feel that since people will try to get you to be a RN when you are a Nurse Practitioner already; you have to step up and stand your ground..that you will be treated as a provider and you will have a supportive staff, otherwise, the clinic will not run. I have basically stood my ground on that. Besides, you are a REVENUE MAKER. part of what you make at the clinic goes to paying bills and employee salary...also part of it goes to the office manager's salary. So if she wants to choose not to respect you, then you should probably go up to the owner and voice your concerns in a professional manner. Believe me, You working in that clinic matters a lot. Your input in running that clinic should matter, if your boss does not feel like your input matters, then they do not deserve you working of them. That's my two cents. I have been in that situation before.

BiotoBSNtoFNP · Dec 13, 2015

In the outpatient office I work at, the NPs are considered providers and grouped with the physicians. Everyone else is called "the staff" and that includes MAs, schedulers, front desk etc.

allnurses Guide · Dec 13, 2015

If the root of the problem is the reception you get for your suggestions on how to make the office run more efficiently, I would tend to think perhaps she feels you've strayed into her territory and is turf-guarding. I've seen that, but ironically I usually find suggestions from providers (such as you are) are met with an attitude of cooperation vs suggestions from peers.

orangepink, NP · Dec 13, 2015

Thanks for the support! @psychguy i do agree that it's just a label but the younger MAs and technicians do seem to not respect me as much as the physicians and I've wondered why until a couple of them came up to me and admitted to me about it. In fact when I started working there, the MAs expected me to see patients and do THEIR JOB too! I had to stand my ground as one member here said but I'm just sick and tired that I have to stand my ground every single time with every new MA. I mean I have a lot more things to worry about than disciplining an impetuous staff. I did ask the MD about that and he stresses out that I am a provider and he'll speak to the manager about it but the thing is he lets her run the office as she sees fit. When I make suggestions, the next thing I knew she runs up to the MD and claims its her idea. Which might be petty but annoying.

This clinic is my first job out of grad school. I've always been grateful to the MD who hired me and trained me and gave me a chance. But right now I'm at a crossroads. He's been making me see more and more and more patients without asking my opinion about it and he hasn't increased my salary. I'm supposed to have a bonus which I have yet to see materialize and it's been two years. If I ask for vacation time it's like pulling teeth and if I get sick, he gets upset. All that with the sh1tty attitude I get from the office manager and staff, I want to leave. I just feel guilty since he gave me a chance right out of school. Another PA I knew advised me to be cautious because most MD/owners will try to trick u etc. I wonder if this is part of the trick. I'm really at a crossroads and want to leave but I feel guilty if I do. I do need your advice and input.

orangepink, NP · Dec 13, 2015

now that I think of it...he always tells me that he wants me to work hard because his clinic is barely staying afloat and I used to feel bad for him but then he recently bought a $1 million dollar house so he could build a Tennis court for his kids and he's planning on buying another $600k house as rental property but I scratch my head because I still haven't received my bonus in two years!!!!! I really need words of wisdom! I mean the guilt is eating me up. If not for it, I'd have left. I do want to leave on good terms thoug.