Chondra: I’m so happy to welcome you to Best Health. I think you remember me from the interviews? I’m Chondra Thompson, the office manager. We’re so glad to have a new nurse practitioner. Dr. Gregory will be able to meet with you later to answer any questions you may have. Let me take you on a quick tour and talk about how a typical day goes.
You know, we don’t have a medical assistant, so you’ll have to take patients to the room, take their vital signs, and draw your own labs. Well, looks like you have about five minutes before your first patient. Let me know if you have any questions.
Narrator: You go to the waiting room and call for Ms. Kaya Longfeather.
You note the following from her chart. Has type 2 diabetes mellitus. Coming in for her six-month checkup. Will require a random blood sugar, an A1C, and a metabolic panel. Need to assess her adherence to diet and exercise routines.
You accompany Kaya to the exam room.
Kaya: Hi, you must be the new nurse practitioner. I heard they were needing someone to replace Mary. I really liked working with her. She was real good helping me manage my diabetes. So glad you’re here, dear! I have some questions about getting some exercise, and I know it’s time for my blood tests. Are you going to have to do that, too?
Narrator: You weigh Kaya, take her vital signs, which indicate a BP of 145/90, and note that she has gained five pounds since her last visit. You ask her about a typical day’s diet, starting with breakfast. You ask her what kind of exercise she likes, and whether there’s a gym or a Y nearby. After a few minutes, you check her glucose tests. You spend another 20 minutes with Kaya, which leaves you 15 minutes behind schedule.
Your day continues on, and you see 12 patients, each of which takes at least half an hour. You skip your lunch break, but get more and more behind the schedule. The next-to-last patient of the day complains about the long wait time.
Before you leave for the day, you mention to Chondra that it was frustrating and nonproductive to have to do those non-NP tasks.
Chondra: It was only your first day. I’m sure it will get better. See you tomorrow!