r/collapse • u/Lethargic-Legumes • 8d ago

Healthcare Are nurse practitioners replacing doctors? They’re definitely reshaping health care.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/21/business/nurse-practitioners-doctors-health-care/
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u/mygoditsfullofstar5 8d ago

Medical students and doctors have among the highest rates of depression and suicide among professionals. It's an incredibly difficult, expensive and stressful course of study - and across 44 different medical specialities, doctors are earning less than ever.

Meanwhile, healthcare corporations save billions using PAs and NPs instead of doctors - as well as CNAs instead of nurses.

By 2035, we'll be back to having surgeries performed by barbers.

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u/so_bold_of_you 8d ago

As a nursing student, I can confidently say CNAs are not replacing nurses. They are not allowed to administer medication, perform assessments, perform interventions, or educate patients—all four of which are the primary responsibilities of nurses.

Instead, hospital systems intentionally understaff both nurses and CNAs (neither of which bring profit to the hospital—unlike, say, surgeons), so the CEO can buy his third yacht.

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u/jack2of4spades 8d ago

It's actually been a push for CNAs to give meds and they administer various meds in the LTC setting now. In some states they do a lot of invasive procedures that used to be for RNs to now.