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What are the day to day responsibilities of a medical practitioner or physican
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2 answers
Kathy Finney
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Kennedy Krieger Institute
3
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Baltimore, Maryland
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Kathy’s Answer
I am a pediatric nurse practitioner and the day to day responsibilities will depend on where you work. For example, I work with children with developmental disabilities like autism and am on an inpatient unit for kids with severe behavioral problems. My job is to take care of any medical issues that occur during the admission. They may be on our unit 4-7 months so I treat them if they get ear infections or the flu or they cut themselves. Some of our patients have other medical problems like diabetes so I would manage that. Lots of the kids get constipated because of the medications we use so that has to be managed as well. Everyday is different, but it is rewarding to see the progress they make and to help their families be able to take care of them at home.
Kathy recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Jane’s Answer
Kathy is right; responsibilities depend on where you work.
For example, in my career as a psychiatrist before retiring, I worked in state hospital settings, private hospital settings, academic hospitals and clinics as well as in private practice. In each place, my job was to take care of patients, collaborate with staff and offer treatment that benefitted the patient. Each setting had different requirements for my time, and my responsibilities. Each offered different challenges and I am glad for all.
Keep asking the question; it's a good one.
Consider asking your pediatrician if you can shadow her for a day to see what she does.
If that sparks your curiosity, go further afield. Contact the county medical association in which you live; often, they will offer programs (before covid) that allow students to follow medical practitioners.
For example, in my career as a psychiatrist before retiring, I worked in state hospital settings, private hospital settings, academic hospitals and clinics as well as in private practice. In each place, my job was to take care of patients, collaborate with staff and offer treatment that benefitted the patient. Each setting had different requirements for my time, and my responsibilities. Each offered different challenges and I am glad for all.
Jane recommends the following next steps: