By Cindy Blevins RN BSN
M Ed
Nurse Practitioner Student

Published January 2000

• React to this article in the Discussion Forum.

And should Mr. Artz decide to sit in on any of my classes he would realize that a nurse practitioner program is NOT merely an advanced practice nursing program but requires completion of courses in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, acute and episodic differential diagnosis, and extensive clinical application. These courses are not "watered down" for the nurses, for example our pharmacology instructor taught the same course to the med students at University of Maryland.

In the good old days inserting an intravenous line required the skills of a physician.  With all the outcomes measurement we do it is demonstrated that nurses can be trained to insert intravenous lines safely and effectively.  Just ask the Intravenous Nurses Association.  I have utmost respect for physicians but I do not want to be tugging on their sleeves to get permission to prescribe a medication that the patient needs.  Give nurses more credit than that.  Our profession is founded upon principles of caring and professionalism which will be continued as we practice as nurse practitioners.  Thanks for letting me respond.