NP's in LTC... to be or not to be!!!!!

[sinursie]

so i hear there is mixed feeling about np's in ltc. some think it's great because there is someone there all the time to avoid er visits and authorize med changes etc... but others think they give the staff more work and get in their way. i personally believe it is the approach we are taking in hiring np's in the facility. medi-cal and medicare cover np's. and they should be working directly under the pcp helping in emergency situations and offering the facility and facility staff assistance when needed. they can be privately contracted to do this with no cost to the physician or facility ... because they are covered by medicare and med- cal... why don't facilities do this? and if they do is it working? i believe the residents in long term care need all the help they can get, considering the ratio of nurse to pt, the np in ltc is a blessing if utilized appropriately.

what do you think?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

If it would result in better continuity of care I'm all for it.

[Jules A, MSN]

I can't speak for LTC but at the private psych facility where I work they are invaluable, imo. My gut feeling is that they will continue to be utilized more and more.

[NurseKatie08, MSN]

i work on a tcu within a ltc, and the np we have is great--i also agree that they are invaluable.

[Thornbird]

Thankfully, this is definitely the wave of the future. Hard to believe there is a shortage of MD's throughout much of the country. Primary care is particularly underserved. We will see more and more NP's as Primary care Providers overall. With the growing number of elderly Americans, I think we will see them as almost the exclusive PCP's for LTC patients.

This is definitely a move in the right direction for LTC patients. These patients really need the compassionate, holistic approach typically given by NP's. Being nurses, they undrestand that we really do need orders to give the patient a Tylenol or Colace and we really do have to report every change no matter how small. Most MD's get so annoyed with us for just doing our jobs. I've also found it to be a prevalent issue that MD's don't return calls and disrespect our assessments. The NP's I've worked with return calls promptly and are willing to prescribe appropriate treatments. They come in and actually visit the patient and assess them. So many MD's just sign the orders and leave or say "hi" and call it a visit.

[ADON132]

I have worked as a nurse consultant in LTC all across central Ky and each facility I worked in the utilized NP's and I think they are almost a must. I never heard an objection to them being there by any nurse.

[sinursie]

Thank you for the Replies! I am really trying to start a movement with the utilization of NP's in LTC . I am very passionate about the need for change in the way our elderly are treated and cared for, and it is only going to get worse with our aging populations. I can really use these comment to help change things! Please pour your heart out!