Medicare Wellness Visits

[Mutts Wife NP]

I joined a healthcare organization several months ago to see walk in's and conduct video acute care visits.  Unfortunately, the patient volume is much lower than expected. To fill my time, I was asked to do Medicare Wellness visits and was told I would have nursing support. I said okay sure. Now I'm told I will have no nurse and it's up to me to room the patient, get vital signs, give immunizations, draw blood, and address any outgoing mail and send it through the postage machine.  I didn't get all of this education to do clerical work and nurse duties, and the company doesn't understand my resistance.  They say because I'm not very busy, I should agree,  Am I out of line here? 

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

I was sort of in a similar situation with a previous employer. Started off training and what not for my NP role, nearing the end of the month of training (lots of video lectures and certs) and to be on my own, I was asked to perform case manager RN role in addition to the NP role because they were short staffed. There would be no form of compensation for that. I informed them this was not discussed during my hiring nor was it included in my job responsibilities paperwork that I signed. Was asked to either do that or leave. I didn't want to leave, but I chose to resign and haven't looked back since and thoroughly enjoying my current position that is truthful to what my job responsibilities are. 

I'm not saying you should leave. But, if you are looking for a new position in the future (or anyone else reading), be sure you thoroughly ask what your roles and responsibilities are and definitely ask about RN/MA staffing (if it's applicable to your position). Honestly, I would even go as far as asking if the NP is expected to do the duties of the RN/MA in that field when short staffed.

[Mutts Wife NP]

Thank you, I really appreciated your response.  Matter of fact, I started looking for a different job and accepted a position today at the local hospital on the Hospitalist service.  In my letter of resignation, I stated the new position will allow me to work at the top of my licensure.  I think sometimes we have to draw a line.