Beware: Certified Nurse Practioners (Wannabe Dr.'s

[BSIBetterHalf]

O.K., I am not saying that all Nurse Practioners are Wannabe M.D.'s; just 1 that I know of, in particular.
This Nurse Practioner, will use his 'charisma' to lure you into certain things; which Nurse Practioners ARE NOT Licensed to perform.
I was dumb & did not research before I let this Nurse Practioner peform an in-office surgery on my back. Heck, I didn't know; but I should have done some researching prior to this visit.
I went to the N.P. for a protrusion on my mid-back. The N.P. says 'Let's go in here in my procedure room & cut that out. I think it's a cyst.' I stupidly say, 'O.K. I guess so.'
The N.P. cut a lot out of my back & stitched me. A couple of weeks went by & I didn't feel like the hole in my back was healing like it was supposed to. But, the N.P. kept assuring me that it was.
I accepted the fact. A couple of days later, I had to get up @ 4:30 in the morning to go Philadelphia for a work-related trip. I woke up & the whole back of my gown was soaked. I went to the front of the house, where my parents were watching T.V. I asked my mom to look at my back, because my gown was wet. She looked & to her & my horror; my incision site had busted open with infection. I had done everything that was prescribed for me to do. My Mother cleaned it up & bandaged it; so I could go on to Philadelphia. When I got back to Tupelo that afternoon, she met me @ N.P.'s office. N.P. gave me a whopping of shot of Rocephin & lots of antibiotic cream for my back. I had to go back 3 days later for another whopping shot of Rocephin. Finally, my back healed from the inside out.
About a year & 1/2 later, I started having problems again @ the same spot. This time, I used my brain & went to my Family PHYSICIAN. I told him about the whole previous ordeal & he ended up sending me to a Surgeon. The surgeon peformed an 'In the Hospital Surgery' on my back. Had a lot taken out of my back (Abscessed Large Cyst). I have not had another problem out of my back.

The point of this story is to WARN THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE, THAT THERE IS A N.P. HERE IN TUPELO THAT IS A WANNABE M.D. THIS N.P. WILL USE HIS CHARISMA TO PULL YOU IN. I WILL NOT MENTION THE NAME. I WILL JUST SAY THAT THIS N.P. IS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE & NOT AFFILIATED WITH NMMC.

BSIBetterHalf

[wittzo]

Why didn't you lawyer up and get him shut down?
That kind of crap kills people and nearly killed you.

A lot of clinics use nurses and have the doctors on staff to cover their butts.

A lot of the nurses know what they are doing more than the doctors, though.

[BSIBetterHalf]

I did think about suing, but did not want to be involved any longer.
I am done with the situation, now.

BSIBetterHalf

[TF Admin]

I had major surgery done at the hospital several years ago by qualified, trained surgeons. They gave me more antibiotics than you can possibly imagine, yet I still developed a major infection that almost killed me. Without being too graphic, the infection drained for several days, and I would be willing to bet you could have filled a Wendy's Biggie Drink Cup with it!

I have used and continue to use the same nurse practitioner of whom you speak. He was treating me prior to my hospitalization because I presented to him as having the flu...after several days of treatment, I was not getting better. It turns out it wasn't the flu, but a perforated colon that was in the process of killing me. This N.P. had no idea what was happening in my colon, and the only way to find out was a trip to a hospital. I cannot blame him for trying, I went to him, after all, on several occasions.

My point is that medicinal practice is NOT an exact science. Every doctor, surgeon, nurse, N.P., intern, etc makes mistakes, many times people sue them and that's why their liability insurance is sky high and one reason healthcare costs are skyrocketing!

I cannot blame this N.P. for trying to make me better. He is very aggressive when it comes to treating ailments, and does a good job. I have lots of friends that use him and all seem generally happy with his service.

I do have a question about your experience, do you think he was really trying to help you and relieve your suffering?

TFADMIN

[BSIBetterHalf]

I do think he was trying to help.
But, at the same, ADMIT WHEN YOU ARE IN OVER YOUR HEAD & REFER A PATIENT TO A QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
Here is a scenario that my DOCTOR gave me when I went to him; before going to the surgeon.
'It would be like me telling you that you have a brain tumor & let's go in here in the procedure room & cut that sucker out.' He said that would be wrong, because he's not a surgeon & furthermore not a NEUROSURGEON.
Same Situation with the NP.



BSIBetterHalf

[granny2young]

the NP's go through vigorous training and schooling before being allowed to practice. The are more than merely nurses. I do not know the one you are speaking of, since you have not given a name or place, but I have used NPs before. I do have a question though: Could it be that the cyst could have gotten infected anyway no matter who done it? Do you think he done something wrong to cause the infection?

I would think that you had a nasty cyst full of infection and pus (causing the protrusion on your back) and this could have happened no matter who it was. Maybe not, he might have caused the infection.

[BSIBetterHalf]

There is a Huge Difference between NURSE PRACTIONERS & MEDICAL DOCTORS. FOR ONE THING, ONE GOES TO SCHOOL FOR 8 YEARS + RESIDENCY & THE OTHER GOES FOR 4 YEARS (BACHELORS) OR 2 YEARS (ASSOCIATE DEGREE) + TRAINING FOR NURSE PRACTIONER.
THE LAST TIME I LOOKED @ A SURGEON'S OFFICE SIGN ON BUILDING; I DID NOT SEE ANY NURSE PRACTIONERS LISTED.
NURSE PRACTIONERS CAN HANDLE COLDS, FLUS, EAR INFECTIONS, ETC. BUT, FOR SERIOUS MEDICAL & MENTAL PROBLEMS, SEE A PHYSICIAN.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ANYMORE ABOUT NURSE PRACTIONERS & THEIR CAPABILITIES; GO TALK TO YOUR PHYSICIAN (NOT NURSE PRACTIONER).

BSIBetterHalf

[TF Admin]

I think your caps lock key got switched on I agree there are differences, and yes for complex medical issues there is no substitute for a good doctor or specialist. I'm not trying to downplay or write off your issue with the NP in question because I know your experience was painful. I have always asked any doctor or NP that was going to do something to me if they have A) done it before and B)How many times approx have they done it and C) How long have they been doing it?

If anyone wants to know a little more check out the following website:

www.nurse.org/acnp/facts/whatis.shtml

You can call the American College of Nurse Practitioners and find out what any NP has training in.

TFADMIN

[TF Admin]

BTW, I disagree that NP's are Wannabe Dr's, my experience is that NP's spend more time worried about my health than ANY doctor I have ever seen. NP's provide a great service to a community as most of them now function as the "Family Doctor" or "General Practitioner". They can treat most of the everyday health problems people have, and if trained, can get into some of the more serious problems. But again, I say, if you have a complex health problem, then a good doctor or specialist is ALWAYS best.

TFADMIN

[BSIGrimreaper]

admin said:

NP's provide a great service to a community as most of them now function as the "Family Doctor" or "General Practitioner". They can treat most of the everyday health problems people have,
TFADMIN

I totally agree with what TFAdmin says above, I believe there is a need for NP's out there, & they are good to treat everyday aliments like colds, flu, ect..
BUT
I totally dissagree about what is quoted below.

admin said:

and if trained, can get into some of the more serious problems.
TFADMIN

As my wife & myself have found out, ( I will post more tomorrow ) NP's can get into things that are far better left to professional Doctors or Specialist. For instance this NP should have not operated on BSIBetterHalf, (she even asked BEFORE he did anything are you sure I don't need a surgeon to do that? to which he replied' "No come on in here we'll fix you right up" & then after she came back with problems he should have immediately sent her to a surgeon! Not flood her with antibacterial shoots & squeeze her back to death getting the infection out. If he sent her to the surgeon, maybe she would not have had to go back & get her back reopened & go thought surgery all over again.

[BSIBetterHalf]

TF Admin,
I did not say that all Nurse Practioners are Wannabee Doctors. Only, 1 in a bunch are. I have been to other nurse practioners before in Saltillo & they are very good @ what they do, BUT they do know when to refer a patient to a specialist or a qualified healthcare provider when the situation arises.
There are other things, that this Nurse practioner did; that other nurse practioners have told me they are not trained to do. I don't know, but he may have had some specialized training in the ALLERGY FIELD. I am now going to a Ear, Nose & Throat Physician for my allergy problems. I get a shot in each arm, once a week. And, I hardly ever go to my Family Physician for sinus & allergy problems any more.

BSIBetterHalf

[Pontotocmom]

I will not use a NP, not for anything. My mama used one and he gave some rotten advice about her heart and didn't send her to see a heart doctor and she died. She died of a heart attack but it was complications of diabetes listed on her death certificate, She was 51. Another told my uncle to modify his diet, and gave him the diet to do it. He was put in the hospital a month later his diabetes was out of control. They chopped off his legs and he died three weeks after that. He was 56. Both of these seen different NP in different counties. So a NP may can treat a cold, so can Wal-Mart. Go to the medicine aisle. For me I'll pay higher prices and see a real doctor.

[TF Admin]

OK, there are some very good points being made here. Everyone has different experiences, great. Here's my current experience:

Over the last couple of years, I have been having problems at work and it took it's toll on my mental and physical health especially over the last 6 months. I've always been a big guy, but I was gaining weight, staying hungry even after having a full meal, having severe mood swings, nausea, high blood pressure, and in a constant state of stress. I had become very dysfunctional, my wife had been begging me for some time to go see the NP.

Well, I'm hard headed and thought I could deal with this myself. Last week, I broke down. I took a vacation and it was anything but that. I have a lot of personal issues happening and with work, and our 15 month old...I just broke down. I tried to hide it from all my friends, but over last weekend I could no longer hide what was happening.

Monday, I went to see the NP. After a lengthy discussion and some quick tests, he told me what I already knew, I am suffering from depression. We had a long talk about how I wanted my treatment to work and I insisted that I want to pass by me while in LALA land. He gave me some samples and a prescription for Wellbutrin.

Over the next several days, I have regained the mental clarity I lost, I no longer feel stressed all the time, in fact I feel a little anxious now! My appetite is back to normal, and my insides are no longer squirming and crying out. My blood pressure is getting back to normal, and I am generally feeling better.

I went back for a followup just a few minutes ago, he told me I definitely looked a lot better than when I came into his clinic a few days ago, and all my vital signs are returning to normal. In other words, his care and time he spent with me talking about my health problems paid off and I am getting better.

My point is that everyone has different experiences with any given health care provider. The real question I see coming up in this discussion is where is the line drawn and who makes the decision to draw that line....doctor or patient?

I think both have that responsibility and if you do not feel comfortable with what is about to take place in or on your body then getting a second opinion does not hurt. It costs a little money, but the pain in the pocketbook would be a lot LESS severe than the potential physical pain that could be caused.

The difference between a Nurse Practitioner and a doctor is the difference between a Chevrolet and a Cadillac. You pay more for one, but both get you where you want to go. One has a lot more bells and whistles and you have to decide if the extra expense is worth the investment in the amenities.

TFADMIN

[granny2young]

Very well put TF. I have had good experiences with our NP and use her every chance I get. Of course for something I feel is serious we go to the doctor, but the NP has been able to control my blood pressure and generally keep me feeling better.

The question I asked still has not been answered, "what do you think he did wrong?" Do you think if a surgeon would have done it you would not have gotten infected anyway. After all, if there was that much pus built up and it was that infected it very well could have happened no matter who cut it open, so what did he do wrong that makes you think he caused you to get infected?

[BSIBetterHalf]

O.K., Granny.
I never stated that he did indeed cause my back to be infected. But when he initially cut my back open, it was already abscessed. So, I feel that he should have sent me on to a surgeon or a General Practioner. But, I did ask if I needed to go to someone else. He said that he could handle it. So, I did not go somewhere else.
THE END!

BSIBetterHalf