Are you doing what you were trained for?

[bryate1]

Ok, I didn't get anywhere with my first ?, so here is another. I am reading all these threads and many NPs are feeling overworked. I get the underpaid part but for those who are dissatisfied here are the questions.

Were you told in your job description or at interview you would be seeing so many patients?

Did your job description include offering eucation/health promotion to pt. and family and how much of this are you able to follow through with?

Do your present job roles follow along with the job description, if not how do they differ?

I am hearing here at home that the NPs are swamped and can't do a lot of the education for pts. they would like to do. Many of them seem to be used as Dr. subsitutes just so they can crank out the pts.

What do NPs in general need to do to create more stability for themselves, so they can do the kind of job they were trained for?

When I go for a job ,what questions do I need to ask and how do I get a defined job description?

Thanks for any help. :)

[lalaxton]

Sounds like you need to stay away from this discussion for awhile!

There are down sides to the role but I think if you make sure the job description is explained fully during the interview process and you make clear that you value time to educate your patients as much as they need, and you don't want to only be the 'physician extender' then you will find out quickly if your employer is looking for someone to just 'crank out patients' or is looking as you are to provide good patient care.

I have always been very clear in the interview process how I see my role and do my own interview at the same time to see if my potential employer feels as I do. Unfortunately you know as well as I do that there are people who will complain about their jobs but do nothing about it and there are those who won't compromise their principles and provide substandard care.

How do you create stability? Start by being open and honest at the outset of a job and give both yourself and your employer a 'trial period' to make sure you both agree on what your job should be. By communicating your wishes and asking for frequent feedback you will both know if the 'fit' is right.

Hope this helps.

[spaniel]

I can totally see where Bryate (sp) is coming from. I am just curious as to why you suggested that he/she might consider taking a "break" from this thread. I think many, including a lot of NP faculty, are becoming quite concerned about the "treat em/steet em" mentality.

Perhaps one idea is to try to set up your own independent practice with a group of NP's, thereby cutting down on overhead. Then perhpas stick to one or two areas of expertise (incontinence, wound care, ostomy care come to mind). But plase keep this thread going as it indeed is a reality that in many places NP's are expected to "produce" as if the patient is just one in a garment factory.

[patnshan]

In my opinion, most NP's do not practice what they were trained for. NP's are trained for health promotion, teaching, and other social type things. Most NP's practice acute care MEDICINE. Most of the NP's I work with in acute care MEDICINE are not even ACNP's, they are ANP's or FNP's.

After awhile, they do a great job and I would have any of them take care of me. It is just that the answer to the OP's question is most often "no". I am not sure why this is. If anyone knows, please enlighten me.

Thanks,

Pat, RN, PA-C, MPAS