Just one week after I left, I already heard from the other nurse practitioners that things were changing for the better. There was an announcement that all walk-ins and hospital discharges are supposed to be seen by their PCPs. If only that had been implemented while I was there, it would have prevented a whole lot of problems.
There is a new nurse practitioner there, in which this is her first job practicing as an NP. I had told the CMO that they were scheduling her with way too many patients and that no one is available for her to ask questions. (Note: she worked at the other clinic from me, not mine, otherwise I would have helped her). She told me that after I left, the Medical Director told her that she was seeing too many patients, and they were going to start giving her 30 minutes per patient. He also told her that if she had any questions she could ask any of the doctors including him.
Lastly, another major announcement is that the Medical Director will actually be stepping down and there will be a new Medical Director taking his place within the next 3 months.
Although I would have preferred to avoid the recent past turmoil, I am glad that by me speaking up for my peers and myself, circumstances are improving for them. Sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself in order to help others.
As far as working with this company again in the future, it is definitely a possibility. I think it was insinuated that I would not be taking the permanent traveling gig at this time. Considering the Tampa/Lakeland market was mainly for me to make sure other markets were just as great as the Virginia one, but it clearly didn’t work out. Nonetheless, the CMO clearly took my concerns seriously and did not waste any time to implement change. He has my utmost respect and I hope to work with him again in the future.
Glad they are making changes, but that should have been addressed when you initially told them your concerns.
Haha yes in an ideal world!
It’s nice to see that in some places NPs are still valued and listened to as legitimate health care providers. Florida is not know. For its progressive thinking. The FQHC across the state is pushing NPs to see over 30 patients a day and they have no transparency and no voice. They have lost over a dozen dedicated providers in the last year due to a lack of respect and an environment that is physician centric and opposite of what NPs were trained to do. Is it that the market is becoming saturated with NPs and some are willing to work for low pay and “ extender “ roles? Is it that we forgot what an NP really is and can offer? Is it that nurses are historically bad at advocating for ourselves? So nice to read of a powerful and respected NP on the world!
Thanks, hope you are joining me in this fight! 🙂
Sorry you had to suffer the pains of forcing change … from personal experience, it’s never a comfortable situation. But, somebody obviously held you in high regard … or changes wouldn’t be happening.
Best of luck in your future ventures … whatever you decide!
Hi I’ve followed this story from it’s beginning. You did an awesome thing and sacrificed a lot. It took a lot of guts, and I’m proud of you. You Helped your profession and colleagues tremendously. Thank you for being brave and sticking to what you’re believe in, standing your ground! You’ve paved thecway for others to follow.
Joy