Doctors vs NP's?

Nurses General Nursing

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I hate to say this but I no longer like to see the NP when I go in for a doctors visit. I have noticed that doctors are much more secure with decisions and aren't so scared to prescribe something. I have been on testosterone for several years through my family practice doctors. However, as I recently moved, I was set up to see a NP. Well instead of handling the low T issue herself she had to refer me to an endocrinologist? WTH? Over time I have noticed NP's like to pawn you off to anyone else for your matters if they can. She wanted to write a script for a psyche med though. Doesn't this require a psychiatrist if she wants to be technical? If NP's are expected to be a growing profession then this is gonna suck. GROW SOME!

Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.
I'm no against benzos. For some, truly the difference between panic, and not. Yes, it seems everyone is on Xanax and klonopin...and their kids are abusing them, and getting addicted.

Benzos have their place, it's true. However, I feel just handing out benzos without dealing with underlying causes of the panic or anxiety is doing the patient a disservice. I can understand needing a benzo occasionally for specific situations that can trigger the panic, but I do feel that if someone needs one on a daily basis then a psychiatric evaluation is in order, and therapy or a different type of medication may be more beneficial.

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
If NP's are expected to be a growing profession then... GROW SOME!

A little levity for your consideration:

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
Staff note: multiple posts have been removed in accordance with TOS.

Well that must have escalated quickly.

Really??? This seems to be a good conversation. I must have missed the fireworks

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Well that must have escalated quickly.

I must have missed the fireworks

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
They just want their nasal congestion or cough gone now, and feel they shouldn't have to let their illness run its course with symptomatic treatment.

But my old doctor used to give me a Z-Pak with a refill (because sometimes the first one didn't work).

Nice Picture Davey!!!! Makes one take into account the quality of the wind created under the bill of the hat

Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.
But my old doctor used to give me a Z-Pak with a refill (because sometimes the first one didn't work).

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that....

Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.
OP's posting history leans strongly toward controversy and starting arguments.

A NP not liking a patient is just plain unprofessional if that's their reasoning for withholding care. I don't always like my patients but I do not make them go without. Geesh! We ALL can find reasons not to do something in life but it's the smart ones who know the reasons we can do something in life. ������������������������������������

I believe that BostonFNP was being a little tongue in cheek here, based on the way you have presented yourself in this thread.

It seems the OP was upset he didn't get what he wanted when he wanted it.

From my own RN experience in an endo clinic, people seek testosterone more than they actually need it. But I guess that's not the kind of RN experience that would make a good NP.

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Dear OP,

One of the best and most reliable ways to put ANY provider, either physician or mid-level, on high alert and NOT get what you want is to start teaching him how to do his job. It is especially so if the talks are about controlled substances. Such behavior is the hallmark #1 for potential abuse and usually leads to refusing prescription in some creative way, of which we know plenty and then some. Worse still, the specialist you have been referred to gets detailed handout and free to make his own conclusions about you before you even call for your appointment. Nowadays, nobody wants risk his or her license just because someone whom you see first time in your life sits here and demands something Schedule II just because he was popping it for years when he was feeling like it and felt great after that.

Just letting you know it for your future reference.

And, BTW, testosterone is not always indicated for so-called "low t syndrome" and has no evidence of effect for most notable of its components such as erectile dysfunction.

Treatment of Men for “Low Testosterone”: A Systematic Review

That's true!!! I worked a long, long time in an ER and the fastest way to "no pills for you" was self-diagnosis, an attitude of entitlement and a belligerent attitude. Patients like that typically got to wait for hours in a crowded waiting room for little more than a referral slip, a cold bagged lunch and maybe some Tylenol for the road. I have no doubt that after doing their due diligence they found a Dr. Feel-Good of their choosing but that's both the patient's and the Pez-Dispenser's problem as it is a match made in heaven and they so richly deserve one another. The only exception to this was usually if the patient showed up with all the attitudes above and constantly reminded you that they were a nurse like a mentally deficient Parrot. They also usually didn't get pills, a bagged lunch or any other darn thing just told to go see their doc.

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