Is Director of APNs like DON?

[Barinbass]

I have noticed that some major medical facilities have a department that all NPs seem to go through. It has a Director, another NP, who seems to have major involvement with the NPs including hiring. Do you have that at your facility? If so, who are you immediately responsible to and who do you answer to? To me, I thought it would be the collaborating MD, but in a case like this, I am not sure. It has the feel of being a Nurse Manager in charge and control of her staff of nurses, but the staff are NPs instead. There also seems to be layers of NPs between the NP and the Director NP which makes me wonder just what autonomy and ability to practice the NP really has. Do you have this, and how do you like it? Do you still have autonomy? It sure doesn't seem like it at all. Thanks

[allennp]

Well I have no collaborating MD or anyone, I am in a major academic center. We have a NP over all the NP's .....maybe 160? She just processes admin stuff, has no interest in our clinical practice...at least mine it seems. I am as appropriate part of my medical team and in the food chain so to speak seem to be rated as between the Fellows and my Attendings. I am in a automous state though and we are critical to the mission of our facility. The question of " just what autonomy and ability to practice the NP really has" is wayyyyy water under the bridge. My 110% concern is personal compentancy and knowledge to apply to my patients and team.

Your question to me sounds archaic.....

cordially

a