PA's

[DiplomaNurseRN]

Back in the dark ages, the Physcian's Assistant was a new 'breed' introduced to our healthcare family. I / we honestly didn't know what to make of them and certainly didn't fully understand their role or inclusion into our rank and file. All of a sudden we had AS and BS degrees in medicine over riding our Charges and CNP's with orders and oft times a cocky and defensive attitude of authority. I had one young PA attempt to crawl up my ass one time forcing me to remind him that I was a Registered Nurse and there was no 'assistant' in my title. Thankful that times have changed, a little anyway....

[caliotter3]

Last visit to the ER my care was primarily handled by a cocky PA with an NP who seemed to be capable of little more than entering data into the computer. I was disappointed. Got to wondering why the system bothers with the NP. Also wondered what their respective pay rates are that two could work on one patient instead of just one provider, maybe even an MD.

[DiplomaNurseRN]

I remember the NP being a new title, same with CNS. Up until all these new titles we were all just 'nurses'. Granted, you might be an ER nurse, a surgical nurse, a psych nurse etc. On the floors you were the charge, treatment or med nurse (if staffing allowed). As the requirement for advanced degrees and specialties increased, so did the different titles. Not a bad thing, but certainly confusing to us 'worker bees'.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

When I worked critical care, I adored the PAs with whom I worked. They were wonderful, although I am thinking they were the best of the best.

[cleback]

Our hospitalist PAs are awesome.

[amoLucia]

At my one ortho's office, I preferred the PA more than my MD.