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.
I know NP's that work with very difficult MD's. They make good money but are not satisfied. One has changed jobs several times only to find the same neg attitude towards NP. That's why I'm saying really think about if this is what you want. So many nurses see $$$$$$. But its so much more than that. It's all about balance and everyone is different.
How can you not see the problem of having more NP than MD? I mean think about it. Think about scope of practice. NP can't perform surgery. The laws may change. But do you want the person performing your surgery to be an NP with 18 months of express online education with zero residency? I always put myself in the pt's shoes. Because one day we are all going to get sick and be consumers of health care.
I know NP's that work with very difficult MD's. They make good money but are not satisfied. One has changed jobs several times only to find the same neg attitude towards NP. That's why I'm saying really think about if this is what you want. So many nurses see $$$$$$. But its so much more than that. It's all about balance and everyone is different.
I disagree. As a NP I have worked at 4 hospitals and 2 OP clinics. The administration at one OP job which was social work driven treated all providers poorly but I have felt well respected and supported by the physicians I work with. I make an excellent income and really enjoy all my jobs.
How can you not see the problem of having more NP than MD? I mean think about it. Think about scope of practice. NP can't perform surgery. The laws may change. But do you want the person performing your surgery to be an NP with 18 months of express online education with zero residency? I always put myself in the pt's shoes. Because one day we are all going to get sick and be consumers of health care.
There don't need to be as many surgeons as primary care providers, hospitalists, psychiatric providers.
I seriously doubt that NPs will be doing any major surgical procedures in any of our lifetimes.
CrazyNut's screenname seems to be very appropriate. If you aren't an NP and haven't done the schooling and don't know what we know, your opinion is irrelevant. I've seen some really bad MDs and some really awful calls, but you don't see me generalizing and saying ban MDs from providing care despite seeing multiple patients come into harm from their orders (we're talking about an N > 100s here too).
How can you not see the problem of having more NP than MD? I mean think about it. Think about scope of practice. NP can't perform surgery. The laws may change. But do you want the person performing your surgery to be an NP with 18 months of express online education with zero residency? I always put myself in the pt's shoes. Because one day we are all going to get sick and be consumers of health care.
You do realize that not everyone with MD after their name can perform surgery either, right?
It depends on the state. But I don't know any state that allows NP to perform surgery. I mean think about. MD has to sign off on midlevels. Can you imagine 1 MD and 100 midlevels? No wonder MD are leaving the profession left and right. The way I see it. Midlevels are a quick bandaid fix. I much rather solve the real problem.
It depends on the state. But I don't know any state that allows NP to perform surgery. I mean think about. MD has to sign off on midlevels. Can you imagine 1 MD and 100 midlevels? No wonder MD are leaving the profession left and right. The way I see it. Midlevels are a quick bandaid fix. I much rather solve the real problem.
If you are talking about NPs as "midlevels". In my state I practice independently and a MD does not have to "sign off" on my work.
It depends on the state. But I don't know any state that allows NP to perform surgery. I mean think about. MD has to sign off on midlevels. Can you imagine 1 MD and 100 midlevels? No wonder MD are leaving the profession left and right. The way I see it. Midlevels are a quick bandaid fix. I much rather solve the real problem.
What do you see as the "real problem"?
The real problem isn't access to surgeons, which for some reason, you keep bringing up even though I have never seen anyone post about NPs doing major surgery. There are plenty of surgeons. Surgeons make a lot of money and medical residency programs have no problem producing an adequate number of eager surgeons.
Medical residency programs are having increasing difficulty producing primary care and mental health providers which is why our country is in desperate need of these providers. This is why NPs now have independent practice in 20 states because the majority of NPs help increase access to primary care and mental health.
Crazynut
160 Posts
I know NP's that work with very difficult MD's. They make good money but are not satisfied. One has changed jobs several times only to find the same neg attitude towards NP. That's why I'm saying really think about if this is what you want. So many nurses see $$$$$$. But its so much more than that. It's all about balance and everyone is different.