Doctor's negative view of NP / Psych NP

Specialties Advanced

Published

  1. Do you take your kid to see a doctor or NP?

    • 5
      yes, always
    • 2
      sometimes
    • 0
      prefer not to
    • 2
      only certain ones
    • 1
      Always a doctor, never an NP

10 members have participated

As an NP that currently specializing in psych, i sometimes attend medication marketing dinners and meet with the reps and found it's a great way to connect with others in the field and with networking. On occasion, you get a doctor who has a really negative and pompous view of the NP. The comment was something to the effect of, "I waited three months to see my doctor and it turned out that it was an NP and then I left to find another doctor." Implying the NP wasn't competent. I didn't know whether to really feel offended or not.

I've found I have my own biased thoughts to some extent, hypocritically, with reservations about general practice NPs, however, in the psychiatric arena I've seen concerns from both the NP and the doctors. It sometimes seems that doctors often don't seem to know what they are doing either. This is psych mind you which isn't never a "perfect science," and the negative comment above by the doctor was aimed more at general practice NPs.

I've found that there are good NPs and bad NPs as well as good and bad doctors. But I have to say in my field with psychiatry, sadly, I've seen more bad NPs. Is it maybe true at least in my field? Not that I'm the best of all or something but I feel like i've been witness to some pretty shoddy care and have to often left to the task of trying to iron it out. For example, multiple antidepressants, serotonin syndrome, multiple antipsychotics, benzo plus a stimulant, numerous med interactions, no labs or monitoring, no EKG in some cases that are critical, very poor history, questionable diagnoses, no patient teaching, etc. Curious to see if any others have the same experience. Please comment.

Study your asses off and know your stuff!!!!

First of what is a general NP, we all have an area of practice we specialize in just as doctors do. I am a family nurse practitionet and we are taught in all areas across the entire lifespan and psych is a very small part if our training and we do not do clinicals in psych, if we choose to we can go to school another 16 months and get another Masters. If an Fnp, APN or GNP choose to work psych of course it is a learning process. One thing I have learned in the 25 years of being a nurse is to up lift nurses, not bad mouth or put them down like you are doing. I can only imagine how you treated new nurses or nurses you have precepted. I have not found one doctor who actually sit around talking bad about another doctor, only self- righteous know it all nurses who spend their time looking at what others are doing only to judge them opposed to assisting, conferring with them and build them up. Lady you need a reality check, serously.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP.

All I can say is WOW.

First of what is a general NP, we all have an area of practice we specialize in just as doctors do. I am a family nurse practitionet and we are taught in all areas across the entire lifespan and psych is a very small part if our training and we do not do clinicals in psych, if we choose to we can go to school another 16 months and get another Masters. If an Fnp, APN or GNP choose to work psych of course it is a learning process. One thing I have learned in the 25 years of being a nurse is to up lift nurses, not bad mouth or put them down like you are doing. I can only imagine how you treated new nurses or nurses you have precepted. I have not found one doctor who actually sit around talking bad about another doctor, only self- righteous know it all nurses who spend their time looking at what others are doing only to judge them opposed to assisting, conferring with them and build them up. Lady you need a reality check, serously.
Up Vote Up Vote ×

A GP, is a general practitioner, aka FNP. They work in general practice settings or acute care as generalists from infant to elderly, etc. Please don't misinterpret what I'm saying, I'm not "bad-mouthing," and it was the MD I was quoting that had no confidence in the NP as a whole, but I have to say I'm also concerned. Read my post again. I love teaching btw and had very good instruction.

This leads me to the concern: I'm inheriting cases with very poor care that opens up potential liability for everyone. If you stand behind your work so be it. I'm just finding that there is some significant disparity in the level of care or, more accurately the, Quality of care, that NPs are in general, as the MD referred to, are getting a name for.

I'm hearing it from the MDs, whether they are pompous or not, and seeing it for myself first hand. I'm not excusing the MDs in my field either as I've seen some pretty bad care there too. But have to overcome the stigma being set by my cohorts to be taken seriously and be a proponent for my area of practice in the field.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

FNPs are not generalists. I never heard of the term. We work everywhere except Acute care, there are acute NPs. Yes you are and you referred to yourself as being ... The only smart one. It is the cohorts not the FNP. Your post is negative and rags on NPs, that are not Psych, I guarantee YOU could not do what we do caring for all patients throughout the Lifespan. I am an FNP, in school getting my DNP and I dont worry about what a other NP does and like I said I have never seen or heard doctors talk about other doctors regardless, nurses seem to be the regulars who display that behavior, and again, you are oneid them. Good night and get some integrity in the sister or brotherhood of caring about how you come across .... I think being an NP has gone to your head.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My best friend is an FNP that works in the acute care setting, also, primary care is also referred to as general practice and is exactly what you do an you have a general graduate degree in nursing. I'm thinking you have a chip on your shoulder or something and need to re-read the post as those aren't the things I said, but I respect your opinion. Best

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.
My best friend is an FNP that works in the acute care setting, also, primary care is also referred to as general practice and is exactly what you do an you have a general graduate degree in nursing. I'm thinking you have a chip on your shoulder or something and need to re-read the post as those aren't the things I said, but I respect your opinion. Best

Shrug

I have always liked nurse practitioners and used them instead of mds .... Even before I was a nurse. ( I now have a Md who I found to deliver my children and stuck with her because she is fabulous)

I am a conservative prescriber and think I follow guidelines and best practice to the best of my ability. I can't imagine being part of a profession that I didn't think highly of my colleagues .

I

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Internal Medicine.

In the year in a half I have been practicing as an NP, I am yet to meet a physician that has such a negative view on NP's. Most in my experience love us because we are cash cows for what we cost.

If anything, I have met some patients that have the physician or nothing mentality, and it's usually their own ignorance. I find this typically only applies to the outpatient setting, and the inpatients I see are very nice.

One patient (that had been with the practice for years) told me when I walked into the room that she only see's medical doctors, and when I told them my boss wasn't a medical doctor, but a D.O., she accused the practice of running a scam because there weren't any real doctors working. Even after explaining the differences and scope of practice between a DO and MD is absolutely nothing, she still wouldn't have it. If she wouldn't listen to that, no way I was going to convince here that I'm a competent provider. Pure ignorance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Who has a degree in general nursing you? My degree clearly says Master of Science Family Nurse Practitioners Cum Laude. What your friend has is probably a BSN. What you Have besides a big mouth and a propensity to put fellow NPs down. You are an educated Fool period and should be ashamed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Behavioral Health.

Sweet Jesus. Historically, a general practitioner was someone without a specialty and used to be synonymous with family practice. Your PCP used to be called your GP. Since family practice became a specialty in the 1970s the term GP has fallen out of favor, but generally speaking if someone refers to "general practice" they most often mean family practice or internal medicine (that is, treating a wide array of diseases across multiple organ systems, both acute and chronic). It's not a preferred term, but I doubt the PP meant it pejoratively.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is 2016

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Behavioral Health.
This is 2016

I know, apparently in the 21st century we've all got easily bruised egos.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Okay, educated ladies and gentlemen, lets be respectful of each others' opinions please!

We cam RESPECTFULLY disagree without being DISAGREEABLE.

Thanks....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment