Nurses, do you feel respected by NPs

[Buckeyeqt]

Hi all! I'm in my

second year of nursing and just love it! I want to specialize and become a NICU nurse although have debated on getting my DNP. While speaking with two friends of mine who currently work as RNs at different settings, one clinic and one hospital they both had something that has left me pondering about respect within our own community. respected by nurse practitioners? It seems the NPs who round on her floor act like they have no respect for the nurses and a friend of hers who works as an administrative employee for a medical group has stated that the NPs have complained against the nurses for calling so much about what they consider 'incompetent' questions they should know and belittle them like they're beneath them. The other friend who works at the clinic has mentioned The only two NPs who work for the medical practice try to dictate my friend to do tasks the MA should be doing, and my friend feels like they think her RN degree irrelevent when they want whatever it is done. She also mentioned when it comes to being chummy, at least in the clinic the NPs tend to be more buddies with the docs then the other nurses who are not NPs and they almost seem to forget they're on the same team. Is this why there's a saying we eat our own? No team work? If so, I'm fearful for our future, but with this said what is your take on this. Please tell me this is not common. It's disheartening to hear we have chips on our shoulders due to an advanced degree which is so silly, as most people these days have one. I would hate to think loving nursing makes me naive when it comes to politics within our profession. RNs do you feel respected by NPs?

[bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN]

I work family med. Our NPs are as respectful to us as our MDs are. We are not buddy buddy but do have a good working relationship. I have seen them get frustrated when one of our MAs did not do something she was specifically told to do and it ended up making the NPs 20 minute office visit turn into 45 minutes thus putting them behind schedule for the rest of the day. However as long as we all do the job that is expected of us we make a great team and have very few problems.

[theVaway]

I find they actually are more level headed with nursing and more respectful and willing to work through issues than providers.

[mindy kaling, BSN, RN]

I love working with NPs because they are always more approachable, at least at my work.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

I hate to paint any group with a broad brush. There are NPs who *don't* respect nurses, and NPs who DO. Same with MDs, DOs, PAs, etc.

For the most part, I've enjoyed collaborating with NPs; however, a friend of mine did bedside for just a few months before obtaining her NP and her feeling are palpable...while she is respectful of RNs and LPNs she does see herself as better than they. I don't know if that is because of her lack of bedside experience, her upbringing, culture, or personality. But that's the only example I can think of at this time.

[NOADLS]

We can have this conversation after I become a NP.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

I had one bad experience with a NP in a hospital who did not like me personally.

Other than that I work and worked with a lot of NP including in the community or as rounding hospitalists. All of them have been receptive and I always feel respected. In fact they are much more approachable than the MDs.

[kylehca]

From someone who has had 12 years experience as a RN, I would like to add a little tidbit. First, respect yourself and second, who cares what others think of you.

Honestly, there is such a perceived hierarchy in healthcare, everyone thinks they are better than the next person. I became very fed up with that way of thinking and could care less how much someone else likes me.

Don't buy into it.

[mrsjonesRN]

From someone who has had 12 years experience as a RN, I would like to add a little tidbit. First, respect yourself and second, who cares what others think of you.

Honestly, there is such a perceived hierarchy in healthcare, everyone thinks they are better than the next person. I became very fed up with that way of thinking and could care less how much someone else likes me.

Don't buy into it.

Awesome advice! Can't we all just get along?

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

OP, I wonder if you just have a toxic culture where you work which is the issue rather than NP vs RN (or any level of team member).

When I worked clinic the provider would give an order, and either RN or MA would do it (unless it was outside MA scope of practice of course). Except for our NP, who would usually give meds etc herself rather than get the RN- she knew everyone was busy, the patient needed meds, and she was a great team player! In fact our team was awesome overall.

My point is, look for other toxic signs. This NP attitude you describe is probably a symptom of a larger problem.

[DowntheRiver]

I work in a clinic setting with FNPs and ARNPs. I feel that all of four NPs that I have worked with have respected me as a nurse in one way or another.

#1 knew I was a newer nurse and would correct me on my mistakes. She was younger than me (26 when I was 28) but she had also worked my job for three years prior becoming a NP. Sometimes I felt that she gave me a hard time but it only bettered my practice. She has since left, and I'm sad that she is gone because she'd always discuss things with me.

#2 jokes around with me. He can be sexist, but I will put him in his place by reminding him that he is a male in a female dominated practice. He often teaches me things, and always comments when I do something excellent. He encourages me to continue my education, whether it be nursing admin or FNP, both of which I'm considering.

#3 is an old school NP. She just goes about her business and leaves me alone. If she needs something she asks and I comply because it is never unreasonable.

#4 is new to the clinic and doesn't know our p + p. She actively asks me questions. She listens to my recommendations about our standard course of treatments (std tx, pain mgmt, etc.) and will approve my requests for meds. Again, we talk "shop" about nursing things and about continuing my education.

I think that if a ARNP was ever snobby to me I'd respectfully remind them that they were once in my place. They do deserve respect, but so do I, as I am always respectful to my patients, my MAs/RTs, and other providers.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

We have 4 NPs that come to my facility. I oriented all of them, back in the day, in the ICU. 3 of them are great, we talk about a range of things (work related, shopping, friends, other stuff). The other one is blatantly aggressive to me and a few others who have been nurses longer than her. We just ignore it, as I don't have to see her other than when she's in house. But, oddly, she was superfriendly to me at my last job.