Nurse Practitioner working without a MA

[ms_sgr, BSN, NP]

I'm a new graduate GNP and see patients at the SNF, ALF and at home. My salary is the same as a NP in the clinic. I work alone and do not have a medical assistance. I am responsible for entering vitals and updating patients medical records along with other administrative tasks. I enjoy my work but hate that I don't have the ancillary support. The other GNP worked for the company 28 years and have asked several times for a MA and was declined. When I brought it up doing our weekly meeting, one of the GNP's stated that she didn't want a MA but complained that she didn't have time to review and update the medication list. I was recently told that it was not in the budget. I'm tired when I get home and often times I don't complete my patients charts until day later. I have been working part time doing health risk assessment (HRA) and enjoy that more than my primary job. I make more money and my charting is complete and I don't have to do any administrative task. I'm seriously considering quitting my primary job and start doing HRA full-time. I'm really just frustrated!!

[Spadeforce]

sounds like whoever runs your company has an IQ lower than average.

go work somewhere else what kind or turd does not hire an MA.

is this place full of nepotism? or something

[Ani Talla, MSN, RN]

Wow sounds horrible. Having an MA work with you is such a better way for any company to function/operate. No brainer

[Eydyey, NP]

I am familiar with the SNF environment and actually shadowed one NP when offered a job to work at a SNF. They do not have MAs as well, perhaps you can use the VS or information RNs put in their charting to use for your charting? I don't know if your SNF has an EHR or if they do paper charting but I would rely on the data that the nurses input into the patients' charts.

[ms_sgr, BSN, NP]

My company EHR is not linked to the SNF or the assisted living facility. I have to update the medical records. I wasn't sure if this was the norm for a NP to not have a MA at the SNF. My director said that he had one. My pay is the same as a new graduate at the clinic and feel that it should be due to all the admin task that I have to to. By 12 pm I am so exhausted and don't have time to review my notes. I spend a lot of time running around the facility trying to locate patients. They are either eating, or in physical therapy. I also see patients at their homes. I have to update patients PCP, faxes, lab draw, vitals, contact patients to schedule appointments. I told my boss that I will no longer be seeing patients at the SNF. In order for me to get a MA I will have to see more patients but its hard to state how many patients will be seen, sometimes its 6 or more or less, just never know

[OwlNP]

I used to have a position very similar to what you describe. I worked the first months without an MA and it was challenging to say the least. An MA was eventually hired and it changed my entire practice. Performing med recs, entering vitals, prior auths, making phone calls were all able to get done in a timely and efficient manner. My charting was always behind unless I charted at home until I went to sleep. I think that if they will never find you an MA it would be worth looking for a new position.

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

That is just mind boggling to me- I can't bill insurance for transcribing blood pressures or filling out prior auths! Admin wants me to have a solid support team so I can spend my time seeing patients- i.e, generating revenue (Providing higher quality care is just a side benefit, as far as they are concerned ?).

I love my job to an almost embarrassing degree. I want to work for this organization forever. But I would quit if I didn't have a support staff. No way, just no way. My patients deserve better, and *I* deserve better.

[ms_sgr, BSN, NP]

Well, according to the article my boss read, who is a MD and has an ancillary staff. One overcomes burnout by fulfillment, just think of all the people lives who helped. I could have slapped him and that author, such foolishness ?. Like you gots to be kidding me. It's always someone above you making stupid and irrational decisions.While on the other end, the same GNP who didn't want a MA constantly complains that the charting is taking over her life and that she doesn't have time for her kids and has thought about quitting, and than says we don't have any ancillary help. I could have slapped her as well. I really feel as if I am missing some information, I'm just not sure what it is