Why should I go to you?

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I am thinking about going into fnp and in the long run I would like to have my own clinic. The problem is that people keep asking me "why should I go to you over a doctor, the doctor is more experience?" and I really dont have an answer to the question. So I am asking the people of allnurse, how would you answer this question? this question has been troubling me for a while.

thank you

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Hello and welcome to allnurses.

Your post has been moved to the Nurse Practitioners forum where you should get more response from NPs.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I've been an APN for almost 11 years and I've never gotten this question. Some statements I do get:

1. "I'll just talk to the doctor." I then explain that though the doctor will see them at some point, I'm there now and perhaps I could help?

2. "Why didn't you go to med school?" Because nursing fit a better niche when I was considering a second career. I then go on to their issue.

3. "Why do I have to see YOU?" I explain that in our practice model, the APNs are readily available to see patients and by allowing me to care for them they might avoid further complications of their disease.

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When I used to work in an outpatient clinic, I get this a lot! I mostly respond with "I'm just here to do the initial work then he'll come in to see you".

I can only count with both hands the number of patients who were satisfied with seeing me. They are usually mid levels themselves or have family members who are mid levels. A Couple of them preferred me over my supervising MD because I do take the time to listen to them. They learn through follow ups that my previous supervising MD is always in a hurry to really talk to them. One family member was shocked that I Examined her mother! She said it's been a long while since she saw any provider touch her mother.

it does get frustrating when patients repeatedly question my existence in the clinic. Then they realize that it's either they see me now or they wait 2-3 months to see the MD himself.

Even my own best friend prefers her children to be seen by an MD but when she needs refills, she's ok with a mid level. I don't even want to comment.

When i resigned and and he couldn't find an NP to replace me for 2-3 months, he was even more behind so from what his MAs told me, some of his patients have begun to realize that they wish he had an NP again.

Some people learn the hard way and it may take a while for them to realize the value of an NP but I'm not gonna stand on my soap box and preach about it. I moved on and now work in a hospital where I haven't met any patient who questioned seeing me. I guess the acute nature of their issues prevents them hehe

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