Comments on: Why be an MD when you can be an NP?

By: meg

meg — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:56:47 +0000

Reading this has really opened my eyes to the opinions and beliefs of some “doctors”. I have seen doctors that have absolutely horrible bedside manners more than once. Whether that is due to the “god” complex that some seem to have on this website or whether they were just tired and overbooked, I truly do not know. I have seen doctors overlook obvious reoccuring problems just as frequently as PA’s. They are all over worked, no one knows your name at the end of the day, you were just a time slot filled. I have chosen to go the NP route not due to the inablity to make the grade but due to the fact that the field (Naturopathic Doctor) that I would most like to pursue is not offered in my fine state and I am unwilling to relocate. I wouldn’t be a Medical Doctor if I was paid to go. I wouldn’t because there is nothing at all they will say or do to help the whole person, most write the rx for the 1:30 appt and go on to their next client. Notice I say client and not patient because at the end of the day all that matters is the money. Not all doctors are this way, but I’ve seen my fair share. Why go NP instead of PA? Why should I have to work with those(docs) I have described above? As a NP I won’t have to. I can treat those people with respect and know that I don’t have to ask Doc for the approval for the anitbiotics that someone needs. When I do have a patient that requires the advice of a specialist I hope that I will have had the luck to meet and coorespond with some decent humas beings that also happen to specialize in said field. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not bashing all Docs just the ones on here and those out in the field with the ‘god’ complex. There really should be a “Vanity test” that doctors have to pass to practice. Prestige my butt… If it looks like a jerk and talks like a jerk it must be a Doctor.

By: gary

gary — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:53:42 +0000

sorry for the response to an old post……………………..my NP dovetails perfectly with my MD; they are 2 women who work their butts off to keep me (and many others) healthy……….my NP recently convinced me (gently) that my heme-positive) rectal exam warranted a colonoscopy……..and it just saved my life!.. nurses (especially women) have a special empathy……I talked my MD out of a colonosopy, but my NP looked me straight in the eye and told me: “you need to do this” I’m here to help you through it and let’s do whatever it takes to get it done. I almostfainted, she was so kind. may have saved my life.

By: gary

gary — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:46:12 +0000

I jut saw a NP for my annual physical and she did a super job. I hate going to the doctor (just because), but the NP may change that. I can afford to see anyone that I want to; I could care less who makes more, a NP or an MD. Gee, I hope that being a physician means something. Anyway, when my NP found that I had rectal bleeding (hidden); she called my primary care doc and the 2 of them had me in for a colonoscopy before I could say “let me think about it”. And it may have saved my life. My daughter is a med student and I hope that she becomes as good a practitioner as my NP.

By: VIC

VIC — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:56:09 +0000

Very well said. Applaudable.

By: jerry

jerry — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:43:52 +0000

I’m only a weekend hospital clinical pharmacist and a full-time airline pilot; so I have the unique experience of being a patient and a clinician (sort of). I’m a reluctant patient, because my airline job demands “perfect” health whatever that means; but I’m blessed with a doc who employs a NP and they both keep me in great health. Both are women and both can instantly cut thru my objections to preventative care (you need a colonoscopy, the MD or the NP are going to check your enlarged prostateEVERY visit.. BITCHES! they are so nice that I might live forever! I never heard my NP or my MD complain aout their salaries; I make what they make or more, and they always end each encounter with “how can I help you today”? Sometimes the NP is better at it and sometimes my MD is better at it….when they double-team me; I do whatever they say…..I have been seeing my NP/MD team for 3 years…my blood sugar, CHO, liver enzymes, chemistry is normal. When I came to them, I was 5′8″ and 262, now down to 160……gee, I have been shot doen and served in 2 wars, and these 2 women are intent on saving me……………….physicians vs NP or CRNA (one took care of me after a nearly fatal crash)………I hope that everone gets practitioner like I have.. NP.CRNA, MD, DO……my titles are BS, PharmD, and CFII…………if any of my practitoners say that I need an orchioctomy. I’ll get them snipped…and I make more than any of them…they are just THAT GOOD