Comments on: This NP needs Assistance. http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/ Resources for NPs in Business Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:23:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Carla Anderson http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-191 Carla Anderson Sun, 26 Aug 2007 06:24:13 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-191 Hi Nina, Just wanted to get back to you on this site. I hope you have the strong support of your family through all this. It really sounds like you are in a "backwards" area of the nation to have that type of such old fashioned thinking. It is awful. We all have seen example after example of excellent NPs, and medical errors committed by physicians. Not that they are all like that, but to ostracize you, and scapegoat you and your practice is despicable. You are very passionate about your views and what you do, but what would be your priority now if you could have it? What is your main goal? Or even the second one? Do you want to keep seeing patients? Is your overhead low enough that you could get by with 5-6 a day, while you pursue restraint of trade issues? It sounds like you have had your good name and practice maligned which is criminal as it ruins reputation and loss of income for years, so that would be something to pursue. I truly wish the best for you, and I know things will start to turn around, but maybe you need to find a good attorney that will be on your side, not the "good ol boys". Carla Hi Nina,

Just wanted to get back to you on this site. I hope you have the strong support of your family through all this. It really sounds like you are in a “backwards” area of the nation to have that type of such old fashioned thinking. It is awful. We all have seen example after example of excellent NPs, and medical errors committed by physicians. Not that they are all like that, but to ostracize you, and scapegoat you and your practice is despicable. You are very passionate about your views and what you do, but what would be your priority now if you could have it? What is your main goal? Or even the second one? Do you want to keep seeing patients? Is your overhead low enough that you could get by with 5-6 a day, while you pursue restraint of trade issues? It sounds like you have had your good name and practice maligned which is criminal as it ruins reputation and loss of income for years, so that would be something to pursue. I truly wish the best for you, and I know things will start to turn around, but maybe you need to find a good attorney that will be on your side, not the “good ol boys”. Carla

]]> By: Nina R, MSN, RN, CNS, BC-FNP, APRN http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-175 Nina R, MSN, RN, CNS, BC-FNP, APRN Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:41:40 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-175 Thanks Barbara, We do have a state org but they will not get involved with any such issues. I've asked if we couldn't file a restraint of trade and they vehemently denied doing so. I never thought of the national org. though. I will try that avenue - I've tried every other to no avail. Thanks again, Nina Thanks Barbara,
We do have a state org but they will not get involved with any such issues. I’ve asked if we couldn’t file a restraint of trade and they vehemently denied doing so.
I never thought of the national org. though. I will try that avenue - I’ve tried every other to no avail.

Thanks again,

Nina

]]> By: bcp http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-174 bcp Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:06:56 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-174 Nina, I'm speechless. I'm so sorry that any NP has to put up with this. While I understand what you are saying about your patients, please take care of yourself. You patients will not be helped if you don't. Do you have a state organization for NP's? What about the local chapter of the ANA, AANP or ACNP? Have you contacted them? Thank you...I did get the link and will be adding it to the resource list. Take care, Barbara Nina,

I’m speechless. I’m so sorry that any NP has to put up with this. While I understand what you are saying about your patients, please take care of yourself. You patients will not be helped if you don’t.

Do you have a state organization for NP’s? What about the local chapter of the ANA, AANP or ACNP? Have you contacted them?

Thank you…I did get the link and will be adding it to the resource list.

Take care,

Barbara

]]> By: Nina R, MSN, RN, CNS, BC-FNP, APRN http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-173 Nina R, MSN, RN, CNS, BC-FNP, APRN Mon, 13 Aug 2007 06:34:34 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-173 Thanks for all the best wishes. And my worst fears did come true when I went to the police jury meeting only to be treated as a small child and chastised that I should not have a smart mouth - please, as the only professional in the room full of good ole boys and farmers and small town (and small minded) gossips, I was made to feel like I had done everything wrong even as I tried to explain that I had been sabotaughed by my ex-office staff especially my ex-office manager/nurse after all the treachery they did. I was hurt to the core and my first thoughts were to get revenge and get even. I was talked out of that and made to stand down and let my silence be the best revenge against all the jackasses out there. I don't know how effective that will be because this is a small minded town and I can see I am spinning my wheels here, but cannot stand to see my patients thrown to the wolves. I keep saying that I am going to write a book with all of my experiences - some good, but mostly bad. Had a conversation with our state representative who is running for state senator and graduated from high school with my husband and his wife worked for me for a little while and he was about as pig-headed as the bunch of the good ole boys can bee when I asked him to support NPs in their bid for practice without collaborative practice. He told me that he firmly believed that we had to have doctors supervising us and that's what they made medical schools for. I told him I might have to move to Pennsylvania because the govenor was so far ahead in his thinking that it must be a much better place to live than here (Louisiana) where we were so oppressed as NPs. He made a few more comments about how doctors needed to supervise NPs and I lit into him and recounted quite a few occurences where I had seen patients where the good doctors were too good to even put their hands on the patients because they were medicaid, poor, uneducated, dirty, ugly, etc. and in one instance a 30 year old woman who had gone to 3 doctors in a few weeks complaining of being very tired, constipated, no appetite, losing hair, etc. and when she came to me, I took one look at her thyroid and it was enlarged and when I palpated it, felt a mass. I sent her for a U/S and sure enough the results showed she had a mass in her thyroid. She goes for a surgical consult in am. I told him she might die because those doctors wouldn't even touch her. And I told him - and explain to me why I need doctors supervision? I also shared with him all the occurences I have had for doctors to steal from me, one embezzeled $100,000 from me because some insurances don't reimburse NPs and so this bozo kept all the money from the claim we submitted under his name, paid off his credit cards, built an office and then when BCBS wanted their money back, he wanted me to pay up and I refused so he sent a maffia type person to get it from me and after many times of him warning me, I finally told him to report me, I didn't care if I went to jail, but he wasn't getting one dime from me because I didn't even have one EOB with which to identify my clients from his. He finally left me alone. I recounted several more stories and he was speechless. He was supposed to call me the next day and never did, so I guess I scared him and his doctor praising attitude for good. Well way past time for bed. I'm sure more wonderful things are in store for me tomorrow and I can hardly wait (I'm being fecisious!) Barbara, did you get the link I sent you with all the forms for all of us to use? It was a great site and if you didn't get it, I will resend. Thanks for all of your prayers. Always be watchful because you never know who will try to undermine you. Sincerely, Nina Thanks for all the best wishes. And my worst fears did come true when I went to the police jury meeting only to be treated as a small child and chastised that I should not have a smart mouth - please, as the only professional in the room full of good ole boys and farmers and small town (and small minded) gossips, I was made to feel like I had done everything wrong even as I tried to explain that I had been sabotaughed by my ex-office staff especially my ex-office manager/nurse after all the treachery they did. I was hurt to the core and my first thoughts were to get revenge and get even. I was talked out of that and made to stand down and let my silence be the best revenge against all the jackasses out there. I don’t know how effective that will be because this is a small minded town and I can see I am spinning my wheels here, but cannot stand to see my patients thrown to the wolves. I keep saying that I am going to write a book with all of my experiences - some good, but mostly bad. Had a conversation with our state representative who is running for state senator and graduated from high school with my husband and his wife worked for me for a little while and he was about as pig-headed as the bunch of the good ole boys can bee when I asked him to support NPs in their bid for practice without collaborative practice. He told me that he firmly believed that we had to have doctors supervising us and that’s what they made medical schools for. I told him I might have to move to Pennsylvania because the govenor was so far ahead in his thinking that it must be a much better place to live than here (Louisiana) where we were so oppressed as NPs. He made a few more comments about how doctors needed to supervise NPs and I lit into him and recounted quite a few occurences where I had seen patients where the good doctors were too good to even put their hands on the patients because they were medicaid, poor, uneducated, dirty, ugly, etc. and in one instance a 30 year old woman who had gone to 3 doctors in a few weeks complaining of being very tired, constipated, no appetite, losing hair, etc. and when she came to me, I took one look at her thyroid and it was enlarged and when I palpated it, felt a mass. I sent her for a U/S and sure enough the results showed she had a mass in her thyroid. She goes for a surgical consult in am. I told him she might die because those doctors wouldn’t even touch her. And I told him - and explain to me why I need doctors supervision? I also shared with him all the occurences I have had for doctors to steal from me, one embezzeled $100,000 from me because some insurances don’t reimburse NPs and so this bozo kept all the money from the claim we submitted under his name, paid off his credit cards, built an office and then when BCBS wanted their money back, he wanted me to pay up and I refused so he sent a maffia type person to get it from me and after many times of him warning me, I finally told him to report me, I didn’t care if I went to jail, but he wasn’t getting one dime from me because I didn’t even have one EOB with which to identify my clients from his. He finally left me alone. I recounted several more stories and he was speechless. He was supposed to call me the next day and never did, so I guess I scared him and his doctor praising attitude for good.
Well way past time for bed. I’m sure more wonderful things are in store for me tomorrow and I can hardly wait (I’m being fecisious!)
Barbara, did you get the link I sent you with all the forms for all of us to use? It was a great site and if you didn’t get it, I will resend.
Thanks for all of your prayers. Always be watchful because you never know who will try to undermine you.

Sincerely,
Nina

]]> By: bcp http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-161 bcp Mon, 06 Aug 2007 03:14:54 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-161 Gosh Nina, This all seems so unreal! While I hate to see it happen, I do hope that it serves as a reminder to the rest of us to check on things as we go forth. There was an article in our local paper a few months ago about a dental practice that had discovered their office manager of many years had stolen a few hundred thousand (if I remember correctly) from the practice over the years. She was eventually caught and convicted. It show you though...you really can trust no one too much when it comes to your business. I've seen it written that we should be splitting up some of the duties so that no one person has so much control. It would put a few checks and balances into place. I am wishing you the best. Barbara Gosh Nina,

This all seems so unreal! While I hate to see it happen, I do hope that it serves as a reminder to the rest of us to check on things as we go forth.

There was an article in our local paper a few months ago about a dental practice that had discovered their office manager of many years had stolen a few hundred thousand (if I remember correctly) from the practice over the years.

She was eventually caught and convicted. It show you though…you really can trust no one too much when it comes to your business.

I’ve seen it written that we should be splitting up some of the duties so that no one person has so much control. It would put a few checks and balances into place.

I am wishing you the best.

Barbara

]]> By: Nina R, MSN, RN, CNS, BC-FNP, APRN http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-160 Nina R, MSN, RN, CNS, BC-FNP, APRN Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:03:36 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-160 Hi all, Just a short note on the latest news with my clinic. My ex-office manager and ex-friend of 20+ years went behind my back and managed to convince the police jury that i was horrible as a jail nurse and she and her doctor could do a much better job for the same money. Well the contract was signed and I was notified a week later that I was "terminated" from the jail job. She knew that I derived a huge bit of my monthly income and what I am paying my current staff with right now, and so she plotted to get it from me. I went to the police jury meeting Wednesday nite only to have the newspaper print a front page article practically cutting me down while singing the praises of this new doc. I called the guy from the paper the next day and told him I did not appriciate him wrtiting such a slanted story about the whole affair and make it look so bad for me. He told me he wrote it to be fair for both sides. I told him he did not make it fair for both sides because it made me look bad from the getgo. The jury will vote on the issue this next Wed. and I'm pretty sure I will not get it back, but I have to try to the end. I fear the worst is up ahead. They are being so devious in their plans of treachery against me. It hurts to the core. But worst of all, I have no idea how I will make ends meet now and fear all may be lost. On a good note, two people who used to work for me and who were practically pushed out by my ex-office manager, have come in to help me for free on their days off to do the billing. They are such a blessing. They have unearthed much of the stealing that went on by the other crew and are trying to straighten everything out so it will all balance correctly. It's a sad state of affairs when things like this go on right in front of your nose and you trust people so much that they are doing the right thing, only to find out that everything they have done has been to destroy me. Later all, Will keep you all posted on any progress, Nina Hi all,
Just a short note on the latest news with my clinic. My ex-office manager and ex-friend of 20+ years went behind my back and managed to convince the police jury that i was horrible as a jail nurse and she and her doctor could do a much better job for the same money. Well the contract was signed and I was notified a week later that I was “terminated” from the jail job. She knew that I derived a huge bit of my monthly income and what I am paying my current staff with right now, and so she plotted to get it from me. I went to the police jury meeting Wednesday nite only to have the newspaper print a front page article practically cutting me down while singing the praises of this new doc. I called the guy from the paper the next day and told him I did not appriciate him wrtiting such a slanted story about the whole affair and make it look so bad for me. He told me he wrote it to be fair for both sides. I told him he did not make it fair for both sides because it made me look bad from the getgo. The jury will vote on the issue this next Wed. and I’m pretty sure I will not get it back, but I have to try to the end.
I fear the worst is up ahead. They are being so devious in their plans of treachery against me. It hurts to the core. But worst of all, I have no idea how I will make ends meet now and fear all may be lost.
On a good note, two people who used to work for me and who were practically pushed out by my ex-office manager, have come in to help me for free on their days off to do the billing. They are such a blessing. They have unearthed much of the stealing that went on by the other crew and are trying to straighten everything out so it will all balance correctly.
It’s a sad state of affairs when things like this go on right in front of your nose and you trust people so much that they are doing the right thing, only to find out that everything they have done has been to destroy me.
Later all,
Will keep you all posted on any progress,

Nina

]]> By: Nina R, MSN, RN, CNS, BC-FNP, APRN http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-93 Nina R, MSN, RN, CNS, BC-FNP, APRN Sun, 08 Jul 2007 20:34:56 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-93 Thanks Carla for sending that on and for Megs suggestions which are wonderful! Please send me the address of the np info listserv - i must not belong. I will try very hard to put into action all that she has mentioned - i had thought of it but the time factor is really eating my lunch. The crying jags don't help much either. Found out this wkend that my x staff let my DEA lapse and now i have to call DEA and try to salvage my license. I caught my RHC renewal a few days before that would have been too late. I just don't know what else they have in store for me in the way of booby traps and am frankly afraid of what they might have done out of spight or whatever their reason for all of this undermining. It breaks my heart to think that i befriended these people and actually knew my office manager for over 20 years when I taught her in PN school, then did a refresher course with her in my clinic when I first started to allow her to get her license back after sitting out to have children, took care of all their family and friends, sometimes for free and they pay me back with this treachery. It is so disheartening. I'll be back up to snuff tomorrow (I hope) but now I'm taking a nap because I have a huge headache from all the crying that I do everytime I start talking about it or someone asks me about it. Have to put on a good face for tomorrow for patients. Thanks for your words of support and comfort. Know that I appreciate them more than you know. Nina Ravey Barbara, my additional web site is http://nravey.mydiabeteseducator.org Thanks Carla for sending that on and for Megs suggestions which are wonderful! Please send me the address of the np info listserv - i must not belong.
I will try very hard to put into action all that she has mentioned - i had thought of it but the time factor is really eating my lunch. The crying jags don’t help much either. Found out this wkend that my x staff let my DEA lapse and now i have to call DEA and try to salvage my license. I caught my RHC renewal a few days before that would have been too late. I just don’t know what else they have in store for me in the way of booby traps and am frankly afraid of what they might have done out of spight or whatever their reason for all of this undermining. It breaks my heart to think that i befriended these people and actually knew my office manager for over 20 years when I taught her in PN school, then did a refresher course with her in my clinic when I first started to allow her to get her license back after sitting out to have children, took care of all their family and friends, sometimes for free and they pay me back with this treachery. It is so disheartening.
I’ll be back up to snuff tomorrow (I hope) but now I’m taking a nap because I have a huge headache from all the crying that I do everytime I start talking about it or someone asks me about it. Have to put on a good face for tomorrow for patients.

Thanks for your words of support and comfort. Know that I appreciate them more than you know.

Nina Ravey

Barbara, my additional web site is http://nravey.mydiabeteseducator.org

]]> By: Carla Anderson http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-88 Carla Anderson Sat, 07 Jul 2007 18:00:48 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-88 Hi Nina, Here are Megs suggestions from the NPinfo list serve, after reading about your situation. She has some very good ideas: I would speak with all the legislators in the community and help raise awareness to your plight in Louisiana...I would do newspaper interviews, business journal interviews...gain support from banks, get a really good lawyer!! and set up a trust fund with the bank so donations can be sent to the bank from those of us who can help out financially......have a good business plan written...I would contact every state legislator and tell them why you think your clinic is important.!!.... some of my suggestions... Meg Helgert FNP Portland OR Carla Hi Nina,

Here are Megs suggestions from the NPinfo list serve, after reading about your situation. She has some very good ideas:

I would speak with all the legislators in the community and help raise
awareness to your plight in Louisiana…I would do newspaper
interviews, business journal interviews…gain support from banks, get a really
good lawyer!! and set up a trust fund with the bank so donations can be
sent to the bank from those of us who can help out
financially……have a good business plan written…I would contact every state legislator
and tell them why you think your clinic is important.!!…. some of my
suggestions…
Meg Helgert FNP
Portland OR

Carla

]]> By: Nina R, MSN, RN, CNS, BC-FNP, APRN http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-81 Nina R, MSN, RN, CNS, BC-FNP, APRN Thu, 05 Jul 2007 06:19:05 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-81 Thanks all and I appreciate to words of advice and encouragement. Ritha, I would appreciate your contacting your friend in Slidell - its a little far (2 1/2 hours on I-10 going west - halfway between Houston and New Orleans) but she may know someone. It's terrible to say, but some of the NPs in my area are too afraid of the docs to even support me and tell me to keep my mouth shut - don't write articles for the paper, town newsletter, on my website, etc. and cut out any teaching like i have been doing for 5 years - free diabetic classes every 3-4 months in my town and in the next town 20 minutes away. I respond that it is OUR JOB to educate the public and we will never get our cause known and show how valuable a health care provider we are unless we do speak up and express the knowledge that we've had crammed in our heads for in my case 12 years thank you very much! One NP is even viscious and is a doc want-a-be and looks on list serves and anywhere he thinks i might go to catch me saying somehting he can twist to sound sinister. Its horrible to be treated like a pariah and it has happened to a few more NPs who had to close their clinics under the pressure and expense. Only those in private practice know what it's like to be shunned - those working with docs or for docs have no idea what we are up against and don't think things like getting rid of the collaborative practice agreement is important "right now". If the AMA wins a case against the retail clinics we may as well kiss our professions good bye because they will continue to press for more and more authority over us and they ahve too much already. We need to get the govener of Pennsylvania to go around the country speaking out for NPs since he has opened the door full throttle for NP practice - or maybe we just need to move to PA! Thanks again and all of you keep on plugging away because the more of us that are in independent practice, the more we are gaining acceptance with the public. Happy belated 4th to all of you also - double for you Carla for sending me a greeting first and thanks! Nina i don't know if I told ya'll but I have an additional web site ; nravey.mydiabeticeducator.org - check it out if you get a chance. Thanks all and I appreciate to words of advice and encouragement. Ritha, I would appreciate your contacting your friend in Slidell - its a little far (2 1/2 hours on I-10 going west - halfway between Houston and New Orleans) but she may know someone. It’s terrible to say, but some of the NPs in my area are too afraid of the docs to even support me and tell me to keep my mouth shut - don’t write articles for the paper, town newsletter, on my website, etc. and cut out any teaching like i have been doing for 5 years - free diabetic classes every 3-4 months in my town and in the next town 20 minutes away. I respond that it is OUR JOB to educate the public and we will never get our cause known and show how valuable a health care provider we are unless we do speak up and express the knowledge that we’ve had crammed in our heads for in my case 12 years thank you very much! One NP is even viscious and is a doc want-a-be and looks on list serves and anywhere he thinks i might go to catch me saying somehting he can twist to sound sinister. Its horrible to be treated like a pariah and it has happened to a few more NPs who had to close their clinics under the pressure and expense. Only those in private practice know what it’s like to be shunned - those working with docs or for docs have no idea what we are up against and don’t think things like getting rid of the collaborative practice agreement is important “right now”. If the AMA wins a case against the retail clinics we may as well kiss our professions good bye because they will continue to press for more and more authority over us and they ahve too much already. We need to get the govener of Pennsylvania to go around the country speaking out for NPs since he has opened the door full throttle for NP practice - or maybe we just need to move to PA!

Thanks again and all of you keep on plugging away because the more of us that are in independent practice, the more we are gaining acceptance with the public.

Happy belated 4th to all of you also - double for you Carla for sending me a greeting first and thanks!

Nina

i don’t know if I told ya’ll but I have an additional web site ; nravey.mydiabeticeducator.org - check it out if you get a chance.

]]> By: ritha bookert http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-78 ritha bookert Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:15:45 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/06/21/this-np-needs-some-assistance/#comment-78 Nina, I just saw this information about you. I hope things are better now. How far are you from Slidell, La. My friends lives there and she use tohave a successful practice in Los angeles California... she is always full of ideas but she is out of town right now. One of my associates Dr. Bettye Ward Fletcher can write grants and may be able to do a grant search for you but she does charge for her services and depending on the grant you know this can take time. The local college where I live has small business assistance and I am sure that they probably do there and it is a free service... what about your accountant....? what does he orshe say? Contact info for Dr. Bettye Fletcher : Professional Associates, Inc 601-982-1493 When my friend Geri gets back in town I will give her your contact information. Nina, I just saw this information about you. I hope things are better now. How far are you from Slidell, La. My friends lives there and she use tohave a successful practice in Los angeles California… she is always full of ideas but she is out of town right now.

One of my associates Dr. Bettye Ward Fletcher can write grants and may be able to do a grant search for you but she does charge for her services and depending on the grant you know this can take time. The local college where I live has small business assistance and I am sure that they probably do there and it is a free service… what about your accountant….? what does he orshe say?

Contact info for Dr. Bettye Fletcher : Professional Associates, Inc
601-982-1493

When my friend Geri gets back in town I will give her your contact information.

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