No wonder our profession is messed up

Specialties NP

Published

Several of us who have gone back to school to become NPs have encountered a lot of animosity from some fellow nurses. We get remarks like, "You think you're better than us?" The other night at work, several of the nurses were complaining that they didn't think they should have to take orders from NPs because, "they're just nurses like me, they're not doctors." Recently one of our nurses had surgery and proclaimed that she didn't want, "some NURSE" (i.e. CRNA) doing her anesthesia, she demanded a doctor.

I was coming here to post this and ask if any of you had encountered that same type of attitude, but then I see yet another post demeaning the DNP and read some of the comments and see that it's no better.

I'm in a DNP program and I'm proud to be. I don't think that I'm any better than an MSN prepared NP. You may think that it's all fluff (and there is some of that, but from talking to my MSN friends, no more than in most MSN programs) but I'm proud of the education that I'm receiving and I have no doubt that I'll be a great nurse practitioner when I'm done. I think it's funny, I can't think of any other profession where obtaining more education is looked down on like it is in nursing.

For the record, I don't plan on calling myself "doctor" for fear of confusing patients. I don't feel that I'm any "better" than an MSN prepared NP or that an MSN is a "joke." I just think it's very telling that in our profession, any attempt to better yourself is looked down on. If you don't want to become an APN, don't. We need good nurses at the bedside. If you have an MSN and don't want to get a DNP, don't. But can we all please stop slamming people who do make that choice?

I want to do research and to teach as well as practice clinically, I realize that I can do that with an MSN, but I felt like the DNP would better prepare me for that. If you don't feel that way, that's your right. If you don't want to teach or be involved in research, that's fine too.

Until we can all respect the choices each of us makes and the contributions we can all make, our profession is never going to advance.

Ahh...that feels better. I'll get of my soapbox now. Bring on the flames...

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

No flames. Everyone should feel comfortable and happy with their own choices. Good luck

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Good luck in school. I would be sure that if you are feeling treated poorly that you are unconsciously wearing a chip on your shoulder from being defensive. Some people are just haters and they always will be, mostly because they don't understand and are jealous. Be gracious and move on. :hug:

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Specializes in none.
Several of us who have gone back to school to become NPs have encountered a lot of animosity from some fellow nurses. We get remarks like, "You think you're better than us?" The other night at work, several of the nurses were complaining that they didn't think they should have to take orders from NPs because, "they're just nurses like me, they're not doctors." Recently one of our nurses had surgery and proclaimed that she didn't want, "some NURSE" (i.e. CRNA) doing her anesthesia, she demanded a doctor.

I was coming here to post this and ask if any of you had encountered that same type of attitude, but then I see yet another post demeaning the DNP and read some of the comments and see that it's no better.

I'm in a DNP program and I'm proud to be. I don't think that I'm any better than an MSN prepared NP. You may think that it's all fluff (and there is some of that, but from talking to my MSN friends, no more than in most MSN programs) but I'm proud of the education that I'm receiving and I have no doubt that I'll be a great nurse practitioner when I'm done. I think it's funny, I can't think of any other profession where obtaining more education is looked down on like it is in nursing.

For the record, I don't plan on calling myself "doctor" for fear of confusing patients. I don't feel that I'm any "better" than an MSN prepared NP or that an MSN is a "joke." I just think it's very telling that in our profession, any attempt to better yourself is looked down on. If you don't want to become an APN, don't. We need good nurses at the bedside. If you have an MSN and don't want to get a DNP, don't. But can we all please stop slamming people who do make that choice?

I want to do research and to teach as well as practice clinically, I realize that I can do that with an MSN, but I felt like the DNP would better prepare me for that. If you don't feel that way, that's your right. If you don't want to teach or be involved in research, that's fine too.

Until we can all respect the choices each of us makes and the contributions we can all make, our profession is never going to advance.

Ahh...that feels better. I'll get of my soapbox now. Bring on the flames...

People are always afraid of knowledge. It makes the huddle in a corner waving cross in front of them. Any new idea is met with scone and ridicule. An the people that take up the cause of knowledge and try to better themselves be come objects of jokes. Go for your dreams, don't associate with the bottom feeders that you describe for they are ignorant and proud of it. Good luck and may Minerva, the goddess of wisdom go with you.

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Any new idea is met with scone

sounds delicious :lol2:

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I use a NP as my personal care provider. I can talk to her, ask questions and not feel like they are dumb questions, not feel like I am being rushed as so many MD's seem to unintentionally make me feel I would never hesitate to have a CRNA give me or my family anesthesia. They are just jealous. Ignore them.

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I use a NP as my personal care provider. I can talk to her, ask questions and not feel like they are dumb questions, not feel like I am being rushed as so many MD's seem to unintentionally make me feel I would never hesitate to have a CRNA give me or my family anesthesia. They are just jealous. Ignore them.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg.

I have been treated by several NP and I can honestly say that I have received great care from them. They have been right on the money with each diagnoses for me during my times of illness, and I will trust them with my care at anytime. My children have also been seen by them, and I have admired the NP each time. One of my patients had to be intubated not too long ago, and the doctor tried several times to get it done but could not. So he called anesthesia, and the CRNA that came up got it done in less than a minute. Everyone in the room was impressed. People should not just look at titles when choosing care providers, or they may be missing out on some great individuals.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I love the NP's we work with, i find they are nice and approachable. (as are most of the PA's and Md's ) i have not encountered the animosity that your experiencing but i live in an area that celebrates education. Best of luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

They are just jealous!

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

needless to say, in my opinion it is great to hear when one of us fellow nurses has achieved such honor. however, those who complain or make fun of the achievers, are insecure individuals. having said that, congrats on your latest accomplishment :yeah:

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It was good to see a post that replicates my feelings. I am in an FNP program right now and already feel the hatred of nurses, MD's, and PA's. I wonder to myself : what did I do wrong?

Just trying to educate myself and to be a better provider. In no other profession is there so much confusion about roles. Nurse tech, LPN, Associate degree nurse, BSN, MSN, DNP, PHD.. all are nurses, but with different scope of practice.I know that I am not a doctor because I am not trained to be one. It is beyond the scope of my education and practice.

Who is superior? A biochemist/ scientist who invents drugs, an engineer who invents/builds hospital equipment, a pharmacist who knows all the drugs, mechanism of action, and adverse effects better than many doctors, a bedside nurse who keeps the oxygen, IV, medication running while monitoring patient response, a nurse tech who takes care of patient hygiene and comfort....... who? Which job is small and insignificant piece of patient care?

Wasn't it supposed to be team work?I feel that by being in this mid level profession, I am in the most hated profession of this world.

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