How much patient interaction do you have?

Published

Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

I've been considering NP for a while now.

I'm presently doing med-surg in an inner-city hospital. It's tough, but I'm managing so far. I only plan to work a year or two on this floor, then transfer to another unit (perhaps MICU) or maybe to another hospital (this one has a bad reputation).

I've been thinking about what I've seen over these first 4 months in nursing, and I've found that there are some things I like:

Teaching patients

Talking with patients

Caring directly for the patients (wound care, etc)

And some things I don't like:

Trying to get through the med pass on time

Lots of charting, often driven by fear of management or lawsuits

Lack of control

Conflicts with other nurses.

Thinking about this, I've noticed that I seem to like patient interaction and would probably like a position that would involve more of that than I'm presently getting.

I was wondering to what extent NPs in various fields engage in interaction with patients.

Thanks.

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

Hi Joe - was wondering how things are going. I work in nephrology and have lots of pt interaction....most of my pts are chronic hemodialysis pts and are very seriously ill most of the time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACNP-BC.

I am an NP in an outpatient diabetes clinic. I have great interaction with patients all day. I spend 30 minutes with each patient during their clinic visit, and I spend that time doing the history, physical exam, and teaching/discussing diet, exercise, insulin and oral diabetes meds, BP and cholesterol meds, lab tests, blood sugar control, any diabetes complications they may have, etc. I really enjoy it! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Hi Joe,

I have tons of patient interaction-assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and some minor office procedures. I don't do as much teaching as I would like. The charting isn't my favorite thing.....I end up doing a lot of it after hours cause I'm busy seeing patients all day. I'd say 90% of my work time is spent in direct patient care. I work in urgent care/primary care. We have great support staff, so I don't have to spend my time dealing with insurance issues, scheduling referrals, PA for meds, etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

Thanks!

I know NPs can sometimes end up rushing from patient to patient, and that's something I'd like to try to avoid. As that is often how it is now on the floor...

Might also try academia, as my instructors have suggested. But that depends upon how much I'd like teaching 2-3 hour classes. And how much income I'd have to give up to do so. Could do it part-time too...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wish I liked pt interaction but I just don't/ I'm getting ready to graduate in a few weeks with my FNP (i hope) I have to honestly say I went into it for the money but my true calling is management. too late to back out now so I will probably be one of those NP's who rush through the pts. maybe I will like it more once I actually start doing it. we'll see!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Joe, I currently work in a 23hr obs unit attached to our ER (pediatric hospital), and get all of the patient interaction and teaching that you could imagine. The NPs run the unit with a single attending as our (overlord)! We are responsible for all admits, discharges, and lots of teaching. I love it! I didn't go CRNA because I enjoy the patient interaction. hope this helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion