Prescribers vs Providers

bbcewalters, NP · Nov 9, 2015

I have been a nurse for a little over 12 years. This is my second "life" as I was in the military for 6 years doing something completely different. I chose nursing originally to learn about the human body, which had always been fascinating to me. In my 12 years I have worked mostly in critical care environments, but my thoughts and opinions mattered to the rest of the patient's care team. I felt respected! Most recently whether it was due to a job change or a culture change, this respect is less and less. I am in school for FNP because I want to expand my knowledge, and I want to earn that respect back!! Notice I said EARN, respect is not given easily. I can only hope that I continue to grow and learn in my new role,so that I will be an essential part of the "care team" that helps patients on all levels. I will say my program, which is a state school, but online, is so far, not that difficult. I already find myself researching more in depth information about subjects so that I am hopefully better prepared. Personally 3 12hour shifts with 4 days off is a dream......5 days a week sucks :cheeky: . I am not becoming an FNP for money, hours, holidays, but these are definitely great bonuses......

From a soon to be FNP Grad.....

Farawyn · Nov 9, 2015

What do NPs provide to who?
To patients, access to quality and cost effective health care.
To themselves, the chance to take the next step, write the orders, make the diagnosis, lift the ceiling off the salary cap, step over to the other side of nursing and medicine.
To RNs, inspiration for jealous or confused rants lately apparently.
To MDs, an easy revenue stream.

It's not jealousy on my part. I truly do not want to be an NP. I've worked with amazing NPs. I have been a constant in saying that.

You and Jules and BC etc. are NPs who seem to have a strong knowledge base as well as a commitment to your profession.

I don't like the presumption that all nurses are "sick of being nurses" and will naturally want to take the next step. Granted, none of you 3 that I mentioned ^ has ever really said that to anyone here, that I've seen! Yet, I have seen it, both here, and in my life.

I'm flattered that RL people ask me why I don't want to be an NP, but really have no desire.

The second thing I don't like is the jump from school right to NP, with no clinical time. The reason I love NPs? They were once nurses, and look at the patient differently than a doctor does. Isn't that the point?

Dogen · Nov 9, 2015

NPs are called "Providers" but really what do they provide?

As an NP intern, I give each of my patients a firm handshake. Around the holidays we also put out candies.

What do NP wannabes have to look forward to other than slamming 20-40 patients through the system, writing prescriptions and filling out government mandated paperwork?

As a philologist, I like the prospect of having lots of random letters after my name. When patients cancel and I have 20 minutes of downtime I see how many words I can make from them: BABSNMSNRNPMHNP. That lone A is a hardworking vowel, let me tell you. My longest word is "hasps."

I have even read where the big draw to being an NP are the hours! Can people be so shallow or desperate to get away from bedside nursing?

I, for one, am shallow enough to enjoy spending the holidays with my family instead of my coworkers every year from now on. I'm also desperate for student loans. I only went to nursing school because I'd paid off the loans from my psych degree, and then when the nursing school balance started getting low I knew I needed to do something quick. I just don't feel right unless I'm writing a check to a rotating list of banks who trade my loans like baseball cards.

If I ever pay off my NP loans I'm going to need to get a degree that's mostly vowels, for the anagramming. Any suggestions?

Farawyn · Nov 9, 2015

As a philologist, I like the prospect of having lots of random letters after my name. When patients cancel and I have 20 minutes of downtime I see how many words I can make from them: BABSNMSNRNPMHNP. That lone A is a hardworking vowel, let me tell you. My longest word is "hasps."

Your longest word is "sharps".

Dogen · Nov 9, 2015

Your longest word is "sharps".

Whoa there, Shakespeare, I'm working my way through the dictionary and haven't made it to S yet.

Am I giving this thread the gravity it deserves?

Farawyn · Nov 9, 2015

Whoa there, Shakespeare, I'm working my way through the dictionary and haven't made it to S yet.
Am I giving this thread the gravity it deserves?

Yes. In fact, I've actually reconsidered, and am now actively pursing my NP. *excitedly gesticulating*

PG2018 · Nov 9, 2015

The reason I love NPs? They were once nurses, and look at the patient differently than a doctor does. Isn't that the point?

Not at all. The point was to provide a stop gap measure to fill in for physician shortages. To date, the shortage is still present thus there is still a demand. Add in the economic woes of the healthcare-insurance systems, and we continue to make fiscal sense. Regardless of the current purpose, it was never to integrate nursing theories or methodologies into the healthcare mix.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2015

If I ever pay off my NP loans I'm going to need to get a degree that's mostly vowels, for the anagramming. Any suggestions?

Thank you for throwing some lighthearted wit at this troubling problem. Your contribution is always welcome.

What about that FAAN thing? Still just A's though.

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering - MSEE. Would that help?

Farawyn · Nov 9, 2015

Not at all. The point was to provide a stop gap measure to fill in for physician shortages. To date, the shortage is still present thus there is still a demand. Add in the economic woes of the healthcare-insurance systems, and we continue to make fiscal sense. Regardless of the current purpose, it was never to integrate nursing theories or methodologies into the healthcare mix.

I get it. Thank you. :)

Yet the ones I love are still pretty nursey.

Libby1987 · Nov 9, 2015

How long? Specifically I don't have an answer.

But I think they should be very familiar at least with their patient population conditions and manifestations. And corresponding pharmacology, conventional diagnostics and treatments. So again, a nurse who knows their stuff.

If they had a residency somewhat comparable to MD's I could see skipping patient care experience but straight from nursing school? No way. I wouldn't accept that for my care.

Jules A, MSN · Nov 9, 2015

Yes. In fact, I've actually reconsidered, and am now actively pursing my NP. *excitedly gesticulating*

You don't even want to know what my guess would have been on the meaning of this word, lol. Thank goodness for google!!

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 9, 2015

It's not jealousy on my part. I truly do not want to be an NP. I've worked with amazing NPs. I have been a constant in saying that.
You and Jules and BC etc. are NPs who seem to have a strong knowledge base as well as a commitment to your profession.
I don't like the presumption that all nurses are "sick of being nurses" and will naturally want to take the next step. Granted, none of you 3 that I mentioned ^ has ever really said that to anyone here, that I've seen! Yet, I have seen it, both here, and in my life.
I'm flattered that RL people ask me why I don't want to be an NP, but really have no desire.
The second thing I don't like is the jump from school right to NP, with no clinical time. The reason I love NPs? They were once nurses, and look at the patient differently than a doctor does. Isn't that the point?

Why can I only like this once?

Just the other day someone I don't usually work with asked if I was finished school yet. I said yes; they asked why wasn't I out there making the big bucks as an NP. Well, it's because the role of NP doesn't interest me at all. Education does, but as a future goal.

I think a lot of the questions of "why NP" stem from all of the people going into nursing school with NP as the goal in mind- with as little time at the bedside as possible. I have nothing but respect for those who have spent time in a bedside role and have decided to further their career. The ones who have no interest in being in the bedside but to get the required minimal experience and move on confuse me.

Considering that it takes up to if not more than a year to become comfortable in the role as a nurse, I don't see not gaining further competency and expertise as the best way to proceed. Re: the minimum experience to be accepted into NP or CRNA school, in my opinion it should be 3-5 years minimum. Enough time to get through the crucial first year as a nurse and follow that with increased expertise.