It's official..... darn it

Eli has a thing for hanging diplomas on the wall. Mine recently came in the mail. Reality. I am glad to be done, but every time I see it I am reminded what I should be doing. Studying. I have to take a certification exam in order to work as a nurse practitioner. And for some reason I would rather enjoy my newborn. I am trying not to beat myself up about it, but come January 8th 2008 when my leisurely maternity leave is through I know I have to hit the books.
Someone (Emma I think?) had asked a while ago about what a nurse practitioner (NP) is and does. Well... A NP is a RN who has completed an advanced degree and education that increased their scope of practice. Scope of practice varies from state to state as defined by the individual State. For example, In Oregon and Washington NP's have independent practice with full prescriptive authority. Which means no physician oversight is needed to practice. Some states require a joint practice agreement with a physician which in most cases is merely a document that really has no meaning, just another hoop to go through.
Many ask so what's the difference between a physician, PA, NP?
A physician goes to medical school and follows the medical model.
A Physicians Assistant (PA) works under a physician's license as a dependent provider.
A NP practices independently under their own license using the nursing theory.
Nursing and Medicine practice differently but much of what we do overlaps.
Health care is changing. Due to insurance cost and education costs change was needed to meet the demand for quality health care providers. Each are qualified, but meet a different need.
So who is better? It depends on what your needs are. There are specialists of either discipline in many fields. I have worked with NP's in gastroenterology, hepatology, geriatrics and other fields who know much more that a general family practice physician in their area of expertise. There are various specialties an NP can choose like Family (FNP), Pediatric (PNP), Neonatal (NNP), Adult (ANP). I chose family.
So what do I want to do? Start out working at a clinic a day or so a week. Then once the kids are in school work at the VA for a while. I am not brave enough to go to war, but I would love to serve by caring for our veterans.
Look here or here for more info if you're curious.

Oh and Jacob's squeaks. Well, basically because he was so small, the cartilage in his trachea is not as firm as ours, which leaves his airway a little floppy and we have our little squeaker. I was in line at Walgreen's today and he was in the baby Bjorn. My jacket was zipped up over him. The line of people in front of me, kept turning and looking at me. One woman asked if there was a puppy somewhere. I had to show them my little noisy baby. I need to record the sound so I can remember it.