My Nurse Practitioner colleagues will tell you that we hear “What do I call you?” a LOT during our day. This is asked directly by our patients and much more indirectly by our physician peers, employers and coworkers. As I was beginning to write, I realized that to truly do this topic justice – it needed to be separated into 2 posts: One about how patients ask and the answers I use; and the second about how to address the issue with your colleagues and employers in a way that is respectful, yet firmly acknowledges what we, as Nurse Practitioners, bring to the healthcare table.
Let’s start with patients. I typically introduce myself when meeting a new patient with “Hi. I’m Jaymey” either with or without, “I’m a Nurse Practitioner.” Let me clarify, I just don’t feel old enough to be a Mrs. Anyone – a sentiment at which my birth certificate laughs heartily. Even my kiddos’ friends referred to me as Miss Jaymey from the get-go. I am NOT a doctor or physician, so I am very clear about this with patients – I have a Masters of Nursing. (The title “Doctor” and who deserves to use and who doesn’t is a whole different post! I will get there eventually – I promise.)
More often than not, it is older patients, meeting me in the office for the first time, who jump right in with clarifying how to refer to me. My response is simple, “Jaymey.” They struggle with that because for some reason referring to me by my first name doesn’t feel respectful enough. This is where humor and levity serve me well. I typically counter with “Well, you can call me Princess,” which both fortunately and unfortunately has only worked with 1 patient thus far. That patient not only has a great sense of humor – but also a great MEMORY.
How did I come up with “Princess”? I mean I do have a child tiara at home but I NEVER, well almost never, wear it. Early in my career I had the privilege of hearing the very articulate, savvy and wise Margaret A. Fitzgerald, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C, FAANP, CSP, FAAN, DCC, FNAP (yes she actually has a doctorate among all those letters following her name, and is referred to as Dr. Fitzgerald). She is an excellent speaker and advocate for our profession and if you haven’t had the opportunity to hear her speak, you really MUST. Anyway, I digress – she was explaining who she was to a patient and used the initials FNP – to which the patient responded “You’re an F’N-What?” Well, it was less than a half a beat before I thought to myself “Hmmm, I’m and F’N-Princess” …HAH – if only! No, I really don’t think I’m a princess but I do LOVE the humor in this. https://www.fhea.com/facultydetail.aspx?id=1
Anyway, back to my story – most people laugh and we move on to the care at hand. However, if someone requires more, I find it helpful to have some key points that can educate people without making them feel awkward or embarrassed for asking. I easily explain that
- I am an advanced practice nurse who works very similarly to a physician in our outpatient primary care clinic;
- I assess, educate, diagnose illness and prescribe treatments (diagnosing and prescribing being the responsibilities that separate me out from my role as a Nurse)
- I usually, and very honestly, add that I LOVE being a nurse and worked hard to be where I am today.
Typically this cache of explanations is more than plenty and rarely do I have to empty my bag of tricks.
Knowing and feeling comfortable with myself and my strengths and weaknesses (oh yeah, I have more than my share of those) makes answering questions so much easier. While I have encountered peers, both NP and MD/DO, who feel an Us vs Them mentality – thankfully, this has been the exception for me, rather than the rule. When I have encountered this type of thinking, it was an individual’s personal issues that were getting in the way.
Occasionally not being a physician has served me well. I have had 3 older female patients with memory issues, who, for some reason, disliked “going to the Doctor’s office.” When they told me “I don’t like Doctors!” I quickly said, “Well then, it’s a good thing that I’m a Nurse Practitioner!” This response was met each time with smile or laugh and the tension from the patient being angry or uncomfortable was diffused – whew – I love that humor works so well in so many situations.
Physicians and Nurse Practitioners are NOT mutually exclusive. In fact, I would say that we have an amazing, symbiotic relationship that can enhance the care of patients across the continuum of healthcare. In scientific terms we POTENTIATE each other. That means when working together we make healthcare “more effective.” Physicians and Nurse Practitioners (along with Physicians Assistants) have differing levels of expertise and experience and we bring these together to improve patient outcomes. NP’s work across all settings, both inpatient and outpatient, ER, surgery, mental health, women’s health, etc. We may be independent in primary care and some hospitalist based practices and interdependent in specialty offices like cardiology, neurology, surgery, orthopedics, etc. In my (not so humble) opinion: In the BEST work environments our roles overlap and tend to be fluid.
With a joyful and happy heart, I will continue to be just Jaymey, which is absolutely fine with me!
Cheers – Jaymey