Role of an NP?

Hey guys!! I'm a nursing student with a lot of questions about NPs out there in the hospital setting ...so here they are:

1. What is the role of an NP in a clinical setting ?

2.Do you ever feel unappreciated at the hospital setting?

3. Do you ever encounter MDs that try to put you down?

4.Pros And Cons of the job?

And a bonus question is : why NP and not MD?

*In my case my dad is a physician in Mexico and I notice how the physicians over there take their time with their patients. Talk to them, and pretty much treat the patient as well as the disease...I notice that the closest thing to that was NP. I've never seen an MD smiling or even being polite or humble (expect on the residents) and i have met several MDs that they honestly tell me : if can start again I would of choose PA or NP.

Any way...tell me your thoughts about the profession and all the good stuff.

Right now I'm at the point where I can still make a change in my career but honestly so far I'm loving the nursing field.

THANKS!

I am an FNP but part of my work is covering my practice's patients in the hospital.

1. My role is to serve as the attending provider for the patient through the admission; I handle the admission via the ED or direct admit, do the H&P, place the orders, manage the patient, and eventually discharge the patient. The only caveat is the ICU where my colleague physician needs to see the patient within 4 hours of admission and every 48 hours. I am not trained as an intensivist.

2. I think everyone that works in a hospital feels under appreciated at some time or another. I don't spend much time there so it never really bothers me. I also don't work for the hospital so I could care less. I always feel appreciated by the floor nurses, I think mostly because I return phone calls promptly and put in prn orders for every admission.

3. Have I met them? Sure. They put everyone down, including other physicians. I don't let what other people think really concern me. Most physicians treat you with the respect you earned.

4. I love my job and role.

I am a partner in a small practice, 1 physician, myself, and a part-time PA.