VA takes heat over plan to let nurses treat vets without doc supervision | Fox News

Everyone has their own opinion, and that cool, they're entitled to that. I would never tell anyone they're wrong. In my personal opinion based on many years of working as a Paramedic and Flight Medic, I would trust the majority of nurse practitioners I worked with over a large number of doctors I worked with. Most of them were very much more detail oriented, had ideas the doctors weren't thinking, and generally had a skillset more in tuned with patients complaints and conditions. Thinking outside the box of the normal almost routine that doctors become accustomed to seeing in many cases. Aside from that, nurses spend a great deal more time with patients giving them a much better perspective and opportunity to pick up on details or signs and symptoms the doctor very well probably missed. I mean, doctors spend an average what, 2 to 5 minutes with a patient? As far as nurse anesthetists go, I would also prefer one over an anesthesiologist. Again, doctors become very routine. I won't use the word complacent because that would be a slap in the face to all of them. But... Nurse anesthetists that I've had the experience of working with, were always way more attentive to detail, exact numbers, and ensuring they do any procedure as perfect as possible. Now, I'm not saying I would or wouldn't see either. I mean, if you can actually GET medical care at all, you should take it and run. And doctors are doctors, which seems to be the main argument. I'm merely pointing out that of the many of both titles I've worked with over many years, I've seen much better, consistent, detailed care from the nurse practitioner side of the house, than the doctor side. I would be more than happy to see a nurse practitioner during my VA visits.

Having worked with many nurses I can honestly say that none will try to exceed their capability.

They would only be doing tasks that they are qualified to do. This idea is designed to help lower the wait times that Veterans have to see their doctors. If I have an issue that would take me three months to see a doctor but a nurse can handle it in a week or so I would gladly go see a nurse. I'm sure the doctors will review what the nurse has done.