Nurses, do you feel respected by NPs

Cola89 · Feb 14, 2016

Once they get a taste for the autonomy and respect associated with being a provider, they probably want to forget they were ever "just" nurses.

Also, the lines may be blurred in regards to when these "incompetent" ponderings and questions faded out of their own nursing practice. Hmmmm.... was it before, during, or after the advanced degree? Or, after how long as a practicing regular ol RN did I stop pestering the providers with nonsense such as these incompetents ask ??

I will say that when I'm a patient, the NPs tend to behave more chummily. At work, they definitely draw the line in the sand. NPs are not playing for the floor nurse "team" in any way.

Clearly they wanted up and out, not back and down --- and since many have 'been there, done that' they are probably just mighty proud of themselves for getting out. I don't think they care if they have helped nurses as a whole whatsoever, generally speaking.

stevie22 · Feb 15, 2016

I have been an RN for 8 years and just finished the NP program. I couldn't imagine treating anyone, whether it be another NP, an MD, an RN or an MA with any disrespect (given they aren't treating me with disrespect). I have said this from day one and I still believe it- there are gonna be those people that act like they are better. I don't think it has anything to do with them being an NP, MD or otherwise. When I first became an RN, I had MA's that were disrespectful simply because I was new and most of the ones who were disrespectful were the ones who were pissed at themselves because they didn't further their education and become an RN or because their 10-20 years of experience as a CNA made me look incompetent next to them on my first day as a nurse trying to assist them in bathing a patient. I have had MDs that bit my head off or turned their nose up at me and some that have asked me to have lunch because they simply liked me as a person. I will add that I am one of those people that will never act like I am better than someone else simply because I have more education but based on my experience I was treated far more like crap during my NP clinical rotations than I EVER was during my RN rotations. I was ridiculed for being friendly with the MAs during NP rotations. It seemed I was expected to treat them like they were beneath me. What a disappointment but I still believe it's the person and not the credentials. It's sad that this is a problem in health care but people behave this way in many professional settings unfortunately, and I think whatever their problem is goes much deeper than just their advanced degree. I just remind myself that it's their problem, not mine; however, it's everyone's problem when it affects the ability to collaborate for the sake of the patient.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 15, 2016

I work at a teaching hospital so residents come and go but we have a great group of NP/PA that are on the floor most of the time. They are great, they listen to us, they take the time to teach us if possible. It is a great situation.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Feb 15, 2016

Of the 50-60 NPs I've worked with over the years there were only 2 that were arrogant, aloof and snotty.

sammiesmom · Feb 15, 2016

The first problem of this post is the generalization. If one or three NPs mistreated you, it doesn't mean ALL NPs act that way. I agree with what other people say, it is the person not the title they have. Incompetence does bother me like a nurse told me she did not ran IV fluids all night because she doesn't think the patient needs it? Any competent nurse would want to knock her upside the head and I bet the physicians and NPs will be very pissed if you didn't give fluids to a dehydrated patient because you do not want to restart an IV and called it, oh the patient didn't need it.

allnurses Guide · Feb 15, 2016

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?

What made you decide to skip the NP route? I only ask because it seems like you have related in several posts what you've heard others say which contain a lot of negative generalizations about both NPs and staff nurses, and ask for input from us.

What have you personally experienced?

Everline · Feb 15, 2016

I encountered a couple of NPs in the hospital that were less than nice or supportive. However, most of them were awesome. Now that I am in an outpatient setting, the NPs I encounter are all great and very humble while having superior skills. So, my overall experience is positive.

adventure_rn, MSN, NP · Feb 15, 2016

I'm a NICU nurse, and I love working with our NNPs (Neonatal Nurse Practitioners). It all depends on personalities, of course, but I generally find them to be more approachable than MDs because they've all been NICU nurses and know where we're coming from.

They walk an interesting line because they do tend to be more 'chummy' with the docs during the day, but are much more friendly and casual with the nurses at night when the docs go home.

Just my 2 cents :)

Libby1987 · Feb 15, 2016

I do.

I've read many posts on this site lamenting entire units being comprised of no RNs with more than 2 yrs experience. I wonder how much that might affecting both perception and underlying cause. I can imagine how frustrating that could be from both sides.

djh123 · Feb 15, 2016

I think it's not much different than any other situation where we interact with others. Most NP's (and doctors) seem to respect me, but I've had a few rude ones too. More often than not, I get along fine with them.

Just as an aside, I had one young doctor who not only borrowed my pen, but even my stethoscope! (Let's see: you're coming into a facility, you're going to check on patients, and ... uh, you might need a pen and a stethoscope, huh? - apparently neither crossed her mind).

stevie22 · Feb 15, 2016

Haha, this is true. I have had plenty of docs borrow my stethoscope for rounds, especially specialist

Dogen · Feb 15, 2016

Once they get a taste for the autonomy and respect associated with being a provider, they probably want to forget they were ever "just" nurses.
...
Clearly they wanted up and out, not back and down --- and since many have 'been there, done that' they are probably just mighty proud of themselves for getting out. I don't think they care if they have helped nurses as a whole whatsoever, generally speaking.

I don't know you, but if this is the attitude you present to NPs then I wouldn't be very pleasant to you, either.