Is NP practice truely semi/autonomous?

[amzyRN]

I've recently been told that NP practice is still governed by physicians and that there is an inherent inequality that may never go away. When I decided to go into nursing, I thought that it was an alternative to medical school, in that I would be able to help people with medical problems, albeit with a smaller knowledge base than a physician and thus a narrower population with which I could prescribe treatment for. I ended up going for a second degree BSN, having my first degree in molecular and cell biology with all of the science requirements for medical school. In my training thus far, I can see how many nurses are disrespected by physicians (regular staff RNs). And an order is required for almost everything a nurse can provide to the patient. I know that I could never stand to have those kind of limitations. If I decide to go on to become an NP are those limitations still there? I do not want to go into a profession that will always be subordinate to physicians. For example, a pharmacist is not a subordinate to a physician, they have a different knowledge base, different specialization, but each professional is respected. Do physicians give that respect to NPs or will nursing as a profession always have a lower status?

[VivaRN]

I would call the NP/MD relationship more collaborative than subordinate. No provider should work in isolation. Of course some practice settings are more independent than others, some providers (whatever their letters) are easier to work with than others. There is such a need for healthcare I haven't felt competitive with MD's on a personal level. They're not going into indigent care or family practice (gotta pay off those loans after all)... there is a need for us in these areas and we fill it well.

I'm not out to be a junior doctor but a senior nurse. Our strength in building relationships with patients, education, involving the patient in the plan of care leading to better clinical outcomes - it makes a difference in the quality of care we provide. Be proud of what you bring as a nurse.

It's not a competition, it's a team, and there are more than enough

patients to go around.