Do you use Nurse Practitioners??
 

I am going to be moving to TV in 2013 and I will be looking for a job as a Family Practice Nurse Practitioner. I want to know how poplular NPs are to people who are living in TV? Do you go see them for your Primary Care pr Specialists health care visits? All feedback will be greatly appreciated. :ho:

Both my primary and my endocronologist up north were Nurse practioners and I loved going to them. I also see one down here. I've found they tend to listen more and I've not had any issues re: any of them.

Our oncologist has a nurse practioner and she would be the one to whom we asked questions between scheduled doctor visits. She was very helpful and returned calls the same day.

My family doctor uses one here.

Most doctors have one, but not a fan...I am paying the same to see a NP or the Doctor. for my money I want the Doctor

Use NP often, especially for general stuff. I think most doctors here have at least one who works with them.

Some of the best health care I received in MA has been from NP's and PA's. They seem far less rushed and are quite knowledgable. My guess is you should be okay in TV. Good luck

My insurance (Blue Cross/Blue Shield Federal) does NOT cover Nurse Practitioners.

:( I wouldn't think the billing to an Ins. company would mention that you saw the Dr. or the NP. :ho: But I only see the Doctor, thats what I'm paying for.

NPs
 

Lake Family Medicine has a NP who I see most of the time. She is very good. I used to be in the medical field many years ago and feel safe in her care.

She is...but "IF" we keep telling folks she'll be too busy to get in to see her!
Sylvia is THE best!!!

:22yikes: Yea, we better be quiet. She told me 2 weeks ago that people have come in and mentioned me on TOTV, that's why they went to see her.

Our daughter is a NP and she see's many patients every day and only a few get referred to the doctor. However she specializes in pediatric care so alas it does me no good.

NPs are often very personable, but not a doctor.
 

I have a lot of experience with NPs and PAs. They can be very helpful and often have more time to be sociable during appointments. That's very nice. Unfortunately, I've also seen several instances where serious problems were missed due to less training or depth of knowledge - that makes me uncomfortable. But, for routine follow up checks, etc it would make sense to use one.

I like my doctor fine-- but love his NP. If she ever left to work for another doctor, I likely would change to the other doctor.

Nurse Practioners/PA's
 

When we moved to the Villages, I wanted a family practice doctor. For the most part down here, they didn't exist, but after moving around four or five times, I now see a NP (who is with an MD), and am very happy with her. There are so many specialists here for everything, but what do you do when you have the flu or some minor ailment and you need to see someone? I am accustomed to a family practice type service, and a NP or PA can spend more time with a patient, they listen and really build trust with patients. I saw the same doctors in Michigan for years, and am not the type of person who wants to see a different doctor every time I need one.

Interesting perception, is it real
 

I am seeing a lot of comments about more time. In my experience the NP or PA is scheduled at the same patients/hr as the MD. Of course the MD may be seeing the more complex patients which may make him/her run behind. Next time you see your NP, ask if they are scheduled to see fewer patients than the MD. I'd be interested in the information. Good NP's can handle 90% (IMHO) of what comes into the office. The other 10% should see the more trained, way more trained, MD. A good NP knows when such a patient presents and makes sure the doctor assumes management either immediately or next visit. NP's and PA's are now an integral part of our health care delivery system.