As a new NP, I find myself running into this frequently. I am the first NP for a specialty practice, in which the majority of patients do not understand what an NP is, or what we are all about. I get called "nurse" numerous times a day, as in "I don't want to see the nurse!" Don't get me wrong, I can sympathize wanting to see a physician for a new or dangerous condition. However, I often see the "easier" per say patients, follow ups and lab checks. In reality, an RN could realistically do my job, however patients seem to want the Dr. for EVERYTHING! I am at my wits end about this, I guess it is my fault for starting a job at a practice that has never had an NP or PA before. Any suggestions? Has anyone run into this before?
If my doctor refers me to a specialist he EXPECTS me to be seen by that specialist, not a nurse practitioner because the whole point of referring me is that he needs someone with more expertise on my condition to look into it. Someone with less education and training isn't going to be of any help. My primary care physician referred me to a neurologist 100 miles away and when I got there I was seen by his nurse practitioner who referred to my migraines as "headaches". (Even though, in my chart, it stated that I had chronic migraines with aura). She literally did not know that migraines caused any other symptoms like nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, sensitivity to sound and light and touch, fatigue, etc. She knew nothing about my medications. Nothing was accomplished during my appointment. From then on any time I am referred to a specialist I call weeks in advance and tell them I am only willing to see the specialist in person, even if it means waiting for a later appointment. I have never had a problem.
This post was from 2010, some if the posters are long gone
I have dealt with this situation a lot when I first started. I think people tend to associate MD title, male gender, and white hair with experience and authority. If a patient has had bad experience with APPs in the past, he/she tends to generalize the bad experience to all APPs. I tried not to take it personally but this does affect my egos from time to time. As I gained more and more experience, I notice the "MD complex" affects me less and less. I think patients can tell if you have enough knowledge and experience to take care of them and as time goes on, they can decide whether they want someone who is qualified and who cares or someone who is a MD and nothing else. I still has patients preferring MDs although I have done everything right. It is OK, I am fine with whatever the patients are comfortable with. Ultimately it is their care.
If my doctor refers me to a specialist he EXPECTS me to be seen by that specialist, not a nurse practitioner because the whole point of referring me is that he needs someone with more expertise on my condition to look into it.
Yes, My primary physician referred me for my thyroid labs after years of trying/adjusting Synthroid. The new referred practice gave me an appointment with an NP. I objected as did my primary ...I needed someone who could approach the situation from the start with a great deal of experience. I am so happy my endocrinologist found a reasonable solution that gave me my life back! . I couldn't depend on someone who had a full 500 clinical hours across the life span to manage it.
I think patients can tell if you have enough knowledge and experience to take care of them and as time goes on, they can decide whether they want someone who is qualified and who cares or someone who is a MD and nothing else
This statement makes me wonder if you still have an ego problem that you don't acknowledge. An MD has beyond an NPs clinical hours and education. Are there MDs that aren't as bright as others? Sure. But to compare NP education and experience to MD or DO education and experience is very short-sighted and telling
I think patients can tell if you have enough knowledge and experience to take care of them
15 hours ago, treeye said:
2) I think patients can tell if you have enough knowledge and experience to take care of them and as time goes on, they can decide whether they want someone who is qualified and who cares or someone who is a 3) MD and nothing else.
1) and as time goes on, they can decide whether they want someone who is qualified
1) Who doesn't want someone who is qualified?
2) "may be we should have the patients who "can tell if you have knowledge and experience to take care of them" ....Write the NP boards and have input into the NP Program (besides being a share holder for the for-profit schools). I always wonder if those share holders would actually go to a graduate of their program for health care).
Hoosier_RN, MSN
3,968 Posts
This post was from 2010, some if the posters are long gone