I’ll never forget what this nursing professor said
We all know nursing school is a mix of emotions- excitement, anxiety, stress, hope-I felt it all.
My journey hasn’t been super straightforward. I actually thought I was going to go to medical school for the longest time. Even once I got into nursing school, I went back-and-forth on if I wanted to change my career path back to premed. Eventually, I just stuck to it and always had the plan of going back to school to become a nurse practitioner so I could be the provider I always wanted to be.
When I got to nurse practitioner school, I was bright eyed and bushy tailed. But this one nursing professor said something to me that I will never forget for the rest of my life. It completely changed my brain chemistry.
She said “you will spend the rest of your career as a nurse practitioner fighting to prove your competency.” This is not exactly the inspiration or motivation I needed at the time. But what I realized over the years is that she hit the nail in the head.
Ultimately, the healthcare system is a hierarchy. But now that nurse practitioner schools are accepting so many candidates (now referred to as degree mills), there is this feeling that there are nurse practitioners that are not competent enough for the role. That being said, a physicians’s personal experience with a nurse practitioner who they may feel was not competent or medically trained well, ruins it for the next person who comes to collaborate with that physician. I’ve witnessed this time and time again and makes the relationship an uphill battle.
I share this to say that for any freshly minted nurse practitioners out there, it’s really just such an important thing to be aware of. Personally it helped me a lot because I learned to not take things as personally and learned that it wasn’t my job to reverse those preconceived perceptions either. I latched on to those who took me at face value and recognized my worth and it made all the difference to my sanity.
Has anyone encountered this in their relationships with their collaborating physicians?
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Navigating the nursing profession is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with moments of excitement and anxiety. Many nursing students, like myself, often grapple with their career choices, questioning whether they made the right decision. Entering nursing school with hopes of becoming a competent nurse practitioner can feel overwhelming, especially with the pressures of proving one's worth in a hierarchical healthcare system. A crucial aspect that newly graduated nurse practitioners need to be aware of is the perception surrounding their competency. Amidst a growing number of nurse practitioner programs, some institutions are labeled as 'degree mills,' leading to skepticism about the qualifications of recent graduates. This concern is often fueled by the negative experiences some physicians have encountered with less competent nurse practitioners, which can taint their collaboration with new professionals. As a result, nurse practitioners may find themselves in a position where they need to constantly defend their abilities and validate their skills. To overcome these barriers, it is essential for nurse practitioners to develop resilience and foster relationships with healthcare professionals who recognize their capabilities. Surrounding oneself with supportive peers and mentors can significantly alleviate the pressures of performance. Moreover, understanding that not every physician will have a preconceived notion about one’s skills can help in building strong collaborative relationships. Striving for continued education and self-improvement in nursing practice will further enhance one’s credibility and efficacy in patient care. Ultimately, refining communication skills and demonstrating competence through experience can lead to more fruitful partnerships in the healthcare landscape. For those navigating the early stages of their nursing careers, it's important to remain confident in one's abilities and continue to advocate for the value of nurse practitioners. Has anyone else faced these challenges in their experiences with physicians?
