I HATE Nurse Practitioners

[Angeljho, MSN, NP]

So the director of psychiatry and some senior psychiatrists at my hospital are in a funk. It appears surrounding hospitals are offering incentives (increased salary and other benefits) to attract psychiatrists to their institutions - and its working. So far, we have lost four psychiatrists in the past five months to nearby hospitals that are offering those incentives. Those facilities also hire FNPs and PMHNPs whereas my hospital doesn't. Clearly there is no way for my hospital to match the benefits of the other competitive institutions and there is a huge shortage of psychiatrists in the area. So... I suggested that we start hiring NPs.

Bad move.

I never seen so much hatred from health professionals. One of the senior psychiatrists actually shouted at me for coming up with "a stupid idea." He then proceeded to tell me how many years of schooling and training he's had out of some need to compare himself to a PMHNP. What really bothered me is that the director said, "I HATE Nurse Practitioners" as if that was a good enough reason for not hiring them in our facility. What they think is what they think; I can't change that. But would I be overstepping boundaries if I drew up a presentation at our next meeting to outline the benefits of hiring NPs? The chief director of psychiatry will be present at the next meeting and I really think its worth a mention.

[Crazynut]

I would let it go. You won't be able to change their minds. This is why I would never do NP. Nurses so really think twice before going NP. Alot of MD's have that opinion. Right or wrong. It's hard to work with someone that doesn't even see your degree as legit.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Many MDs are resentful of NPs due to perceived and actual differences in educational preparation. Like the previous poster mentioned, I would not present anything at the next meeting because it seems they've made up their minds about this issue.

[Anonymous1257]

Sounds like your MDs are highly threatened by the NP profession, nothing new there. If those in charge of your practice share those feelings, then let them run their business into the ground, no skin off your back, plenty of hiring and expansion going on in your area it sounds like

[orangepink, NP]

In my current clinic, the doctor that I work for is the owner of the practice and he's very open to NPs for financial reasons hehe

[Jules A, MSN]

Clearly there is no way for my hospital to match the benefits of the other competitive institutions and there is a huge shortage of psychiatrists in the area.

While although I think adding Psych-NPs to an inpatient psychiatric team is a great idea what I'd really like to know is why the heck can't they offer a competitive salary? That is baloney.

The cost of operating in your local area is what it is and while I think we NPs enhance a team to bring us in because they aren't willing to pay enough to keep a decent doc is insulting. Plus trust me the hospital admins might be shocked at how much a decent psych-NP costs.

Like others have written you suggested it and they were short sighted enough to blow you off. Let it go especially because this wouldn't be doing NPs a favor. I find it insulting to think we would be brought in because they are too miserly to pay a decent rate for their doctors.

[sauce]

sounds like its time to go work for the other hospitals

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

You received that kind of response and you think it would be a good idea to bring it up again? Good luck with that, LOL!

[anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP]

I wouldn't bring it up.

Those hospitals may have something better to offer you too lol.

I don't know how long I could stand being around those people and doctors knowing their feelings towards nursing. If they hate NP's and don't trust them enough who is to say they trust or respect any nurses?

My hospital just recently (last couple of years) started hiring NP's and PA's in their clinics and to help the hospitalists. I was proud and thankful when they realized MD's can't do it all themselves and they can utilize other qualified professions.

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I can only see this mentality hurting them in the future, because there seems to be a couple underlying issues at the facility and the perception of NPs is only one part. If their psychiatrists are flocking now for better pay, etc and they're already short but haven't even thought to, or wont, raise their incentives as well to retain and recruit more psychiatrists then they will either have to suck up their pride and hire NPs or run into the ground. Not saying this will happen tomorrow but they could possibly expect this in the near future.

[Angeljho, MSN, NP]

I can only see this mentality hurting them in the future, because there seems to be a couple underlying issues at the facility and the perception of NPs is only one part. If their psychiatrists are flocking now for better pay, etc and they're already short but haven't even thought to, or wont, raise their incentives as well to retain and recruit more psychiatrists then they will either have to suck up their pride and hire NPs or run into the ground. Not saying this will happen tomorrow but they could possibly expect this in the near future.

Honestly, they're running themselves into the ground now. To make up for the Psychiatrists that we've lost, the current ones are doing more on-call time, taking on more patients, and covering more units because there's not enough coverage when a psychiatrist takes the day off.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

You've seen the handwriting on the wall. Can you read it? You'd be shooting yourself in the foot (or a more personal area of your anatomy a bit higher up) to bring it up again!