Beauty

[NYC Susan]

I've never once been seen just by a nurse (or Nurse Practitioner). And I've had a ton of medical problems and have been to numerous medical offices, urgent care centers, and hospitals for years. Occasionally, I've been seen by a nurse or NP before seeing a doctor, but never instead of. I have great respect for nurses - I know quite a few - but my personal preference is to be seen by doctors.

I adore my regular doctor, and he is the final word on everything for me. He doesn't even have nurses in his office - just him, in practice by himself. I don't know how I ever would have managed everything I've been through without him - or the very fine specialists that he's recommended.

[NYC Susan]

On 1/30/2014 Ranchergal said:

On 1/30/2014 serenity4ever said: If nurse practitioners were as well trained and competent as a physician why would anyone bother to spend years in med school, internships etc....they would just become a nurse. I think physicians have more training and when I go the doctor I refuse exams from nurse practitioners. I once was handed over to one when my physician was booked solid and she was incompetent and missed that I had pneumonia, which ended up my being hospitalized that evening.

Unless you're going on to be a specialist doctor I don't see the point of all that schooling. Nurse Practitioners and Physician's Assistants are taking over the medical field for routine medicine.

NP's are not as fully trained as medical doctors. They are certainly very good in certain situations, but I doubt the day will ever come when they will replace general doctors.

Agree to disagree, but I very definitely see the point "of all that schooling."

[NYC Susan]

On 1/30/2014 Night Owl in NJ said:

I much prefer to see a nurse practitioner or physicians assistant when I need an appointment. They spend much more time with each patient.

That's really a generalization. My PCP gives his patients all the time they need. Yes, that sometimes means a long time in the waiting room, but I don't care because I know I will have his full, unrushed attention when it's my turn. My children's pediatrician was the same way, as are the many specialists I see now. If I felt any of them rushed me or didn't give me enough time, I would find someone else.

So I think it's really a stretch to say that NPs and PAs spend much more time with each patient. There are some very fine doctors who know that quality care requires time to listen to the patient, be thorough, and answer questions.

[san90]

Not everyone will like it, but healthcare is changing. Physicians are no longer happy practicing family medicine or general internal medicine, they are now becoming specialized in a certain area. That's where the money is for them. I don't blame them when your salary will double or triple if you specialize! However, nurse practitioners and physician assistants will fill that void, so we can have healthcare available. As a warning, you will also see NP and PA's in specialty areas. FYI, NP's usually attend school for 6 yrs which is the same for a family practice MD. And they also need over 2,000 clinical hours before being accepted into NP program. Sorry for the frustration, but it is the future of healthcare!

[Grade1Teach]

If it's something simple, like a sore throat or virus, I don't mind seeing a NP or a PA.

However, when it's something more serious, I would prefer to see a doctor.

[151949]

On 1/30/2014 icezeus said:

On 1/30/2014 Luvmycats said:

If I were really sick I would ONLY want a physician- An RN only has a 2 yr degree (I have several friends who are nurses)- No thanks! Maybe, I would consider an MSN-

I am not a nurse, but I do not believe that statement to be true. They have to have a four year degree. I think you are thinking of an LVN which I believe stands for Licensed Vocational Nurse.

The levels of education for nurses : A 36 month diploma from a hospital based nursing school = RN - these schools are rare these days. A AD from a community college = RN. A BSN from a university program. And then nurses can go on to get MSN in various specialities or even(rarely) a PhD. A Nurse Practioner has a MSN.Most of the bedside nurses you see working in hospitals are either BSN or AD grads. I had a diploma from a hospital based school then went back and got my BSN and became credentialed in critical care, which is the smart way to go - IMO - because the hospital pays your tuition as a benefit. RN means you completed a certified school program and then took and passed a licensing exam.

[dooBdoo]

I think there’s always a problem when we try to paint with broad strokes. Each health care provider is slightly different, each office is different, and each individual patient’s needs are unique to her or him. As one example, I find my preferences in my GP's office very different from my preferences when I visit my pain specialist.

In addition, health care must and will change and adapt to the times. All the opinions are useful, but in the end it’s something each of us has to educate ourselves about, discuss openly with our physicians, and make our own choices. If we aren’t satisfied, sometimes it means we look for another physician.

[Sooner]

A friend of mine went to the University of Oklahoma's 2 year Physicians Assistant program--I don't know if you have to have prior training to get in or not. Anyway, my physician's group has a working PA and she is wonderful! If I have some sort of those "things" that go around, she is great! I feel lucky to have her!

[fairydogmother]

On 1/30/2014 loveschocolate said:

On 1/30/2014 Luvmycats said:

If I were really sick I would ONLY want a physician- An RN only has a 2 yr degree (I have several friends who are nurses)- No thanks! Maybe, I would consider an MSN-

Most RN's have AT LEAST a bachelors degree.

that is an inaccurate generalization. I, like thousands and thousands of other RNs, have a 2 year Associate Degree. There are still many practicing RNs with 3 yr. diplomas from hospital-based schools of nursing. A lot of nurses also have BSNs and advanced degrees.

[fairydogmother]

On 1/30/2014 icezeus said:

On 1/30/2014 Luvmycats said:

If I were really sick I would ONLY want a physician- An RN only has a 2 yr degree (I have several friends who are nurses)- No thanks! Maybe, I would consider an MSN-

I am not a nurse, but I do not believe that statement to be true. They have to have a four year degree. I think you are thinking of an LVN which I believe stands for Licensed Vocational Nurse.

Incorrect. see my most recent post. Registered Nurses who have graduated from accredited 2, 3 or 4 year schools of nursing, and pass their state board exams, may receive full licensure. A Nurse Practitioner, aka Advanced Practice RN, does require graduate degrees and specialty training/education.