NP Autonomy: Are MD's hating it ? ...feel stupid asking question

Nurses General Nursing

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First let me touch on the stupid part: until I started lurking on this forum I didn't know the meaning of professional autonomy. And I feel embarassed to say that as a member of the healthcare community, I didn't know the full scope of practice of NPs. Even though I know the obgyn lady at the clinic is one. I knew she wasn't a MD, but was to scared too ask for details. Me & my friends just refer to her as the "Ob-Gyn Lady". Anyway, I was on a forum for med techs and they mentioned that some MDs take issue with NPs having full autonomy. This topic came about when we were talking about MLTs (2yr degree) being allowed to perform the same functions as MTs (4yr degree, + more sometimes). They mentioned that family practice NPs only spend 7 years in school vs. family practice MDs who spend 12 years in school....and how this is not fair.

That's weird that an anesthesiologist would get laid off and all duties would pass to a CNAP. Where I live, the CNP has a lot of autonomy, but would not be allowed to do all the anesthesia duties him or herself. I would think that many patients and families would balk at this situation (mostly out of ignorance, but also due to a legitimate desire to have an MD present for anesthesia) and become sue-happy.

That's weird that an anesthesiologist would get laid off and all duties would pass to a CNAP. Where I live, the CNP has a lot of autonomy, but would not be allowed to do all the anesthesia duties him or herself. I would think that many patients and families would balk at this situation (mostly out of ignorance, but also due to a legitimate desire to have an MD present for anesthesia) and become sue-happy.

CNAP? what's that? This thread is discussing Nurse Practitioners, not Nurse Anesthetists.

They mentioned that family practice NPs only spend 7 years in school vs. family practice MDs who spend 12 years in school....and how this is not fair.

Most FNPs have years of nursing experience prior to becoming FNPs. If we are going to include the physician's resident time as part of their education we need to include the nurse practice as experience. Also, if we are including the undergraduate degree as part of the education of an MD then we need to include my prior undergraduate degree so technically I have a four year degree, went to nursing school, 2 years of clinical RN practice and three years of midwifery school- so 13 years to become a CNM. But my undergraduate degree is not really relevant to nursing practice which is also the case for many MDs- I know a general surgeon with an undergraduate degree in French.

NPs do not perform surgery or deal with complicated pts, so the level of training is appropriate. Also, the fact that outcomes with NPS as are equal or better with patient satisfaction being higher should show that the model works.

NPs do not perform surgery or deal with complicated pts, so the level of training is appropriate.

While it is true that FNPs do not generally deal with complicated patients and are not involved in procedures, ACNPs are involved in management of complex critical illness and do procedures such as chest tubes, intubations, lines, swan ganz, etc. and also participate in some surgical procedures depending on specialty.

Here is a question for thos e that would prefer a MD over a NP. Is that always the case? I understand that MD's have more school time and NP can go straight thru. However, how about a MD with one year exp or a nurse practioner that has 25 years exp? I know several NP's as well as CRNA's. The one NP that I know has many years exp. There are cases where the MD's actually defer to her because of her exp. Do you feel that exp can out weigh the extras years of school in some cases?

Specializes in cardiothoracic surgery.
I suspect it is because his NP is associated with a physician and works closely with that physician unlike others who have total indi practice? I tend to agree with Jo and personally am not keen on the said concept.

This makes me think of some of the coworkers I work with that are going to school to be NP's. The thought of one in particular going into independent practice is a very scary thought to me. :eek: I wouldn't want that nurse as my nurse let alone my NP!

I go to a NP for my care provider. I prefer her over an MD because she actually listens to me.

Life is not fair. A nurse was telling me the other day that her hospital was laying off some anesthesiologists in favor of more CRNAs as they were cheaper. Sometimes you're the bug; sometimes you're the windshield!

from meandragonbrett

CNAP? what's that? This thread is discussing Nurse Practitioners, not Nurse Anesthetists.

Err ... this post? It does discuss the topic I was referring to, does it not? Sorry about the typo.

NP's specializing in dermatology have MD's panties in a wad I see.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=718880

Specializes in ER.

As a nurse, if I need a consultation about an illness, I already have a lot of information, so I'd rather go to a doc, because they can answer my questions.

If I was a concert pianist I imagine that going to a NP would make sense. Same as if I needed music lessons I could go to any high school and learn a ton, where the pianist would want someone with more education.

NPs are super in the role they are trained for. Some people, and some complex illnesses require a physician, simple illnesses need a NP, some of the really stupid complaints only need a ten year old with common sense, and some soap.

Look at the threads about MA's playing fast and loose with the title "nurse" and you see the same reaction. We are not so different.

Same emotions, different professions.

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