I found out that my new NP is a cat dad!

[Siwsan]

I had an appointment with him, yesterday. He had asked me to track my blood pressure (good before Nov 6, not good, after). I pointed out two REALLY good readings from both sides of that time and said when I took those, Merlin was snuggling with me.

No doubt my previous NP would have scoffed. She was very unpleasant. Not this one. He confirmed that many studies have shown that a pet's comfort is good for our health. He also knows it from first hand experience with his own kitten.

As if I didn't already have reason enough to be thankful to have been switched to his patient list, now I can add another.

[Archae]

1. What is an "NP?"

It can get confusing with all the acronyms out there.

[Siwsan]

3. Nurse Practitioner

They are kind of like a physician's assistant.

[Archae]

5. I should have known this, my oldest sister is a retired NP.

There's just too many acronyms being used nowadays.

[3catwoman3]

7. SIwsan is correct - NP designates a nurse practitioner.

You might also see ARNP - Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, or APN - Advanced Practice Nurse.

Then, just to throw a few more letters in the alphabet soup:

Here are some abbreviations for different types of nurse practitioners:
ACNP: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
ANP: Adult Nurse Practitioner
APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
CRNP: Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner
CNP: Certified Nurse Practitioner
FNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
GNP: Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
NNP: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
NP: Nurse Practitioner
PMHNP: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
PNP: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
SNP-BC: School Nurse Practitioner
WHNP: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

The main difference between NPs and PAs is that NPs are educated on the nursing model for health care, which is generally more whole patient focused, and PAs are educated on the traditional medical model of care. All NPs are RNs first. PAs usually do not come from a nursing background.

In many states, an NP can open his or her own practice if they wish to do so. PAs must have a collaborative agreement with a "supervising" physician who may or may not be on site.

(retired peds NP here)

[Rebl2]

8. Can NP's

prescribe certain drugs and order medical tests?

[3catwoman3]

10. Yes, we sure can. We examine our patients, diagnose their problems...

...order labs/Xrays/CAT scans/MRIs if indicated, and prescribe a wide range of medications, including controlled substances.

I first became a peds NP in 1976, in the Air Force nurse corps. Peds NPs came into existence in 1965 thru a program developed at the University of Colorado. The first board certifying exam was offered in 1977.

Throughout my career, if both the family and I were comfortable with my diagnosis and treatment plans, I was the only person they saw for that visit. I was always in a practice setting where I had physician colleagues available within a few minutes if I wanted a quick second opinion. I preferred it that way, and never had any interest in having my own practice.

People who haven't had any experience with NPs often express the concern, "Do they know their limits? Do they know what they don't know?" And the answer is a resounding, "YES!" When asked that question in person, I would always stress that anyone who provides you a service of any kind needs to know what they know and what they don't know - your NP, your doctor, your dentist, your lawyer, your plumber, your car mechanic, your roofer, your hair stylist, etc, etc.

More than you wanted to know, maybe.

[Rebl2]

11. Thanks

for answering my questions!

[niyad]

16. A friend recommended the FNP who had seen my friend's former husband

throug his final days. She has her own practice, very convenient to me,and I love how she views things. She understands me very well, so we do just fine.

[MacKasey]

18. If you tap on a word on your phone screen (android)

On the bottom of the screen you should see a small window with a definition.

I kept noticing these small windows popping up and then realized what they were.

They are very handy.

I didn't do anything to turn them on.

[HeartsCanHope]

2. I think it stands for Nurse Practioner.

Take care.

[Siwsan]

4. I've found that, except for the one I saw, earlier, NPs are easier to relate to, for me.

The previous one was an APN (Advanced Nurse Practitioner) and she was absolutely callous. I think she just took an instant dislike to me. It's in my file that I have extreme anxiety and she seemed to take that as a challenge to ramp it up, even more. Thankfully I only saw her twice.

The moment this one walked in to the exam room, I just had a good feeling about him. He is kind, compassionate, he listens and he has a great sense of humor.

[3catwoman3]

9. See my reply #7.

It always distresses me to hear of people having unhappy experiences with NPs.

Fortunately, I don't hear that very often, as most of us are very caring people or we wouldn't have become nurses in the first place. I'm glad the new guy has made a good first impression.

[Siwsan]

12. I was shocked at one particular APN's treatment towards me

She's the one who told me to be sure and get a DNR filed with them because if anything should happen while I was there, she'd be obligated to give me CPR, and old bones are very brittle. Not the kind of thing to say to someone with severe anxiety. Oh, and she thought that since I was in therapy, I should 'be over' the traumas that caused the anxiety. She made it clear she had zero patience with me. Both times she left me in tears. When I got a visit review request, the next day, I spilled it all out and told them every inappropriate thing she had said to me, over 2 visits and how worthless she left me feeling. She's still there. Apparently she's much kinder to other patients. I think she just took an instant dislike to me and is definitely not someone who should be seeing people with emotional issues.

My first APN was great. She retired. Now I have a wonderful NP. I am so thankful for him.

[3catwoman3]

15. I'm glad your first experience with a nurse practitioner was positive.

It's been my impression over my 45 years as an NP that if someone has a negative initial encounter with an NP, they make a blanket judgement that we all suck, and they never ever want to see another one - no second chances for NPs.

I find this interesting, because I don't see it happening in other professions. We've all seen a doctor or dentist we didn't like, gotten a bad haircut, had a crappy teacher, had a less-than-great meal at a restaurant, etc. As far as I know, there is no similar broad brush condemnation of other professionals after a single bad experience.

[Walleye]

6. My best friend is a cat lover and hasn't had a kitty for years. She just got a kitten.

A little black-and-white tuxedo kitty. I am so glad. she’s a little bit older than me and in pretty good health, but has high blood pressure. I She has named him, Marley. I know it’s a pain sometimes to take care of kitties but they are good for your health

[Siwsan]

13. Merlin can be quite an energetic little boy, leaving chaos in his wake

But right now he's snuggled down on me, sleeping. He still likes to crawl up on my shoulder and suckle on my neck and cuddle with me at bedtime.

Things are getting a little easier because the other boys spend time playing with him. Merlin is fearless and even exhausts them!

[Walleye]

14. A lot of work. But still, I envy you having that kitten.

[niyad]

17. That is wonderful. My FNP is a cat mom herself, yet another thing I like about her.

At one point, she asked me why I had switched from my PA, and when I said, "Because he's a misogynist asshole," she said, "Well, you certainly don't have to worry about that here."